Customs Guidance

Avoid costly mistakes and remain compliant when you work with Customs Support. We give you customs guidance in:

  • The correct customs paperwork
  • Using the right classification and processes
  • Both Ireland and Northern Ireland
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Save money and improve efficiency
Within your customs function

Avoid a headache with customs when importing or exporting in Ireland. Customs Support is here as a qualified advisor that can take a look at your paperwork, classification, and more to ensure that you are staying safe and compliant. 

Available in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, our specialists are knowledgeable and experienced with both Irish Revenue and HMRC – as well as the delicate crossover between the two regions following Brexit. You can rely on us for help with:

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Classification

Use the right commodity codes and save money with better or preferential duty rates where possible.

paperwork checks
Paperwork Checks

Import or export, we will help you to ascertain which paperwork and legal statements are needed.

duty management
Duty Management

Improve your cash flow with specialist procedures that delay or eliminate your import duty obligations.

eu and uk wide support
All of Ireland

EU or UK, we are here for you with up-to-date customs knowledge in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

all of ireland
EU and UK-wide Support

Located wherever you need us across Europe, we have more than 1,900 specialists at your service.

post clearance support
Post-clearance Support

Facing an audit, penalty, or reclaim? Customs Support can help you find a resolution with customs.

Need a customs partner who works like an extension of your team – like colleagues you can tap on the shoulder and ask for help?

Customs Guidance | FAQs

What are customs clearance instructions?

You send customs clearance instructions to the customs declarant so that they can do the import or export entry. Attached to your instructions, you will also send the paperwork that relates to that shipment.

The following information will be included, but not limited to:

  • Invoice value and reference
  • Commodity code
  • Package count
  • Weight
  • Port of origin or discharge
  • Shipper’s name and address
  • Buyer’s name and address
  • The EORI of the domestic trader (importer for import, exporter for export)
  • Transport details

Depending on your commodity, whether you are importing or exporting, and your chosen procedure – you may need to include supplementary information such as individual pieces, supervising office details, or he inland destination identity number.

Customs Support helps you to clear your goods through customs in a timely and compliant manner. Contact us for more information.

What do I have to declare at customs?

The information that you need to declare will depend on whether you are importing or exporting ,and on the commodity or procedure used.

If you need a straight forward import clearance into free circulation, your declaration will include, but not be limited to:

  • An invoice value and reference
  • The weight
  • The package count
  • A commodity code
  • Your importer’s EORI number
  • The shipper’s address
  • Transport details
  • A payment method for taxes

For an export, you will also need to provide all of these details – except for the payment method of taxes in most cases.

Customs Support helps you collate all of the information you need for clearance so that you have minimal risk of delays or penalties. Contact us for more information.

What is a customs procedure?

A customs procedure refers to the function that you are declaring to customs. There are 100s of procedures that you can use, and several of them are divided into groups.

Here are some of the common customs procedures:

  • Import clearance to free circulation
  • Import clearance to a bonded warehouse
  • Import clearance with Inward Processing Relief (IPR)
  • Import of personal effects
  • Import for goods already cleared by customs on a previous declaration.
  • Temporary import
  • Reexport of a temporary import
  • Removal from bonded clearance to free circulation
  • Removal from IPR to free circulation
  • Removal from IPR due to consumption
  • Export clearance
  • Export from bonded storage clearance
  • Temporary export
  • Reimport of a temporary export

Customs Support is an AEO- and IIFA-accredited customs partner. We help you to choose the right procedure for your business, as well as ensure that you meet all of your obligations so that you avoid costly delays and penalties. Contact us for more information.

What are the three stages of customs clearance in Ireland?

For a normal import clearance, the three stages are declaration, payment of taxes, and released for removal. For a normal export clearance, the three stages of clearance are pre-notification, arrived for export, and departed. 

This is the same for both Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, note that a special procedure may have more stages due to additional steps in transit or processing. For example, the arrival of bonded goods into a warehouse after the import release for removal.

Customs Support provides clearance throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland, working with you to remain safe and compliant – no matter which procedure you are using. Contact us for more information.

What are customs regulations?

Customs regulations are the laws surrounding commodities, processes, and your obligations as a trader. This includes but is not limited to:

  • The information that needs to be presented on your declaration.
  • The rules surrounding origin and preferential origin of your goods.
  • The information and clauses required on your commercial paperwork.
  • Licencing and authorisation requirements.
  • Timeframes for presenting and retaining information.
  • Trade agreements with other countries.

Customs Support’s specialists are well-versed and up-to-date with customs regulations in both Ireland and Northern Ireland – supported by our colleagues across the UK and EU. Wherever you need customs guidance, we are here for you. Contact us for more information.

Customs Support doesn't only provide customs guidance