Cargo Shipping to the United Kingdom? Things to Know Before Shipping to the UK

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of four specific regions: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While the country does draw tourists from all over the world, it is an especially popular place for people to immigrate. The UK has a strong economy and many international corporations. If you are one of the many people who are interested in or planning to immigrate to the UK, you can ship your household belongings and vehicles with very few restrictions.

You can ship household goods to the UK duty free if you have owned them for at least six months and keep them in your possession for the year following their import.

It is important to note that there are some things that you cannot ship to the UK. Here are some examples of items you cannot ship to the UK.

• Weapons, drugs or obscene material.
• Radio transmitters
• Cordless telephones
• Meat and dairy products
• Endangered animals

Meat and dairy products are prohibited from cargo shipments to the UK because they may carry certain diseases that could impact the country’s environment. Endangered animals are not allowed to be imported to the UK, and it is important to note that this includes their byproducts such as purses, belts or shoes.

Finally, it is not advisable to bring food into the UK because your shipment may be required to go through extra screenings. However, you are allowed to bring in a small amount of food if you really need to, but definitely avoid shipping vegetables or fruits that have loose soil on them like potatoes, because they might carry a disease.

The United Kingdom has strict rules about importing pets that will change on January 1st, 2012. Until 2012, it is important to start the process early if you do want to bring your pet with you when you move. Here are some of the current rules you should know about importing pets to the UK in 2011:

• Your pet must have a microchip for identification purposes.
• After the microchip, the pet must be vaccinated for rabies and any booster shots for other diseases.
• After the vaccine, your pet must have a blood test to prove the vaccine is working. Your pet cannot enter the UK for six months after the blood test.
• You must have a health certificate or Pet Passport that assures your pet is in good health by your vet. All steps in this process must be signed and stamped by an official veterinarian.
• The pet must be treated for tapeworm and ticks 24 to 48 hours before they travel. This treatment must be given by a veterinarian and must treat against the tapeworm Echinococcus Multilocularis with a medication using praziquantel as its active ingredient.
• Your pet may only travel by approved routes.

After January 1st, 2012, the regulations will change and make it easier to import your pet. Your pet will not have to get the blood test after the rabies vaccine requires a six month wait if you are traveling from an approved country. You can learn more on UK government websites about importing to the UK from an approved country. Your pet may have to be quarantined for up to six months if you do not follow these regulations.

Interested in 寵物旅遊 You can import a vehicle to the UK duty free if you have owned the vehicle for at least six months and you are not going to sell it for one year once it arrives. If you have not had the car for at least six months, you will have to pay a 10% tax and a 17.5% VAT. The United Kingdom has left handed traffic, meaning cars drive on the left and the steering wheels are on the left as well. However, you can still import an American car or any other country that uses right handed traffic. It may be uncommon to see right handed vehicles, but they are legal in the United Kingdom.

Remember to take into consideration the additional cost of maintenance on a non-standard car in the UK. You may need to have some maintenance on your car before it is shipped to the UK in order to meet the standards set by the Ministry of Transportation. Check with your cargo shipping company who should be able to advise you on the modifications your car may need.

When shipping to the United Kingdom, remember to get a head start by contacting an international cargo shipping company that can help you get all the paperwork to ship your belongings. The immigration process can take awhile to complete, so getting the correct forms in order before you ship is important, especially if you are considering taking your pet with you when you move.