A Guide to Sending Freight to and From the UK

According to the 2007 World Trade Organisation, the UK is the 7th largest exporter and 4th largest importer of merchandise in the world. This fact leads one into realising the large movement of freight that takes place to and from this country at the international level.

Freight movement in the UK market is carried out through all four modes of transportation- air, sea, rails and roads. While rails and roads have been preferred modes with over 60% of such freight movement being made by roads in terms of volume, rail freight is also seeing tremendous growth with the construction sector eyeing it for their freight movements.

Despite such growth in rail and road freight movements, freight by air has also made a mark with a growth of over 30% in the same. Air freight has contributed to almost one-third of freight movements from UK in terms of value. This is testament to the fact that in the UK, air freight is preferred for goods of high value rather than of high quantity while freight movement by roads is preferred for bulky goods.

With growing exports to the UK, freight movement into UK has tremendously grown. Not surprising, considering the fact that UK has made visible moves towards allowing more imports from foreign countries into its own. While member countries of the European Union (EU) have been abolished from most of UK's import licensing controls, other preferential countries have minimal rates of customs duties applicable on their products.

For freight movement out of UK, exporters are required to provide Customs with an exports declaration and also maintain proof of exports like contract correspondence, copy export invoices and evidence of payment among others for VAT purposes.

While the UK has been encouraging imports, freight movement in the UK, like all other countries still has some regulations. Antiques are taxed at reduced VAT rates and all gifts have duties imposed on them. While motorcycles and vehicles have different import rules to comply with, they are not free from duties.

Taking into consideration the present trends regarding UK's export and import, it is right to believe that sending freight to and from the UK has been simplified and cannot be called an obstacle to growth. Add to this the easy availability of certified freight forwarders who have a strong network and knowledge in the field of freight transfers and the movement of freight from one country to another will no more seem to be stressful.

Bob writes for the Devon Freight Company, UK and about Freight to China Asia.