National Clearance Hub

Online

Clearing goods entering, leaving or transiting the UK or EU

Get your goods cleared by the National Clearance Hub when moving goods into, out of, or through the UK or EU.

Webchat

Speak to an adviser online about:

  • the clearance of ‘live’ entries
  • already submitted applications awaiting processing
  • any problems you’re having due to COVID-19

Email

Email HMRC enquiries about electronic submission of Route 1 and 2 declarations

Email HMRC enquiries about transfer of residence

If HMRC needs to contact you about anything confidential they’ll reply by phone or post.

Phone

Imports and exports

Call for advice about imports or exports submitted to the National Clearance Hub for clearance.

Telephone:
0300 322 7900

Opening times:

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Import inventory control

Call for advice about air and maritime import inventory control.

Telephone:
0300 322 7919

Opening times:

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Transfer of residence

Call about transfer of residence applications submitted for processing.

Telephone:
0300 322 9434 (option 4)

Opening times:

Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

Find out about call charges

Post

General letters and enquiries

Write to HMRC for general advice about goods clearance by the National Clearance Hub.

You do not need to include a street name or PO box when writing to this address.

Couriers should use a different address.

BT-NCH
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1GZ
United Kingdom

Courier post and licences and forms

Send courier post and licences and forms requests to:

National Clearance Hub
3 New Bailey
New Bailey Street
Salford
M3 5FS
United Kingdom

Part of Get UK customs clearance when exporting goods: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need to follow this process

    Follow these steps to get your goods for export through UK customs if you’re managing the process yourself.

    Getting customs clearance can be complicated. You can hire a transporter or customs agent to make the export declaration and get your goods through UK customs.

    1. Hire someone to deal with customs for you

    Your business and goods must be ready to export before you can get customs clearance.

    1. Find out about exporting goods from the UK
    1. Check if you need to make an export declaration

  2. Step 2 Set up your business for making export declarations

    You need an EORI number that starts with GB to export goods from England, Wales or Scotland.

    If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland you may need one that starts with XI.

    1. Get an EORI number

    Depending on where you're moving goods, you need to be registered on the right systems and have compatible software to make declarations.

    1. Check what systems and software you need to make declarations

  3. and Get permission to export plant products or controlled goods

    1. Register to export plants or plant products
    1. Register on SPIRE to export controlled goods like weapons

    For some controlled goods, you'll need to apply for a standard individual export licence instead.

    1. Apply for a standard individual export licence
    1. Check the exporting goods from the UK guidance if you're not sure which licence you need

  4. Step 3 Check if you can make the customs process quicker

    There are processes that can make clearing customs quicker and easier to manage if you have to make customs declarations regularly.

    1. Find out about using simplified declaration procedures
    2. Check if you can use Common Transit to move your goods more quickly
    3. Find out about getting Authorised Economic Operator status

  5. Step 4 Declare your goods for export

    1. Find out when and how to make an export declaration

  6. Step 5 Get the goods across the UK border

    The goods must be taken to the port or UK border location named in the export declaration.

    At the border, you or your transporter will need:

    • the ‘master reference number’ from the export declaration
    • the invoice
    • any export licences or certificates needed

    Customs staff might check the goods before allowing them to cross the UK border.

    1. Find out about customs procedures if you're taking goods out of the UK by road

  7. Step 6 Get the goods released if they're held up at the UK border

    The goods may be held up at customs, for example if:

    • you do not have the right licences for the goods or business
    • they did not pass inspection
    • they've been combined with a shipment that has been held up

    If this happens you will be told why.

    1. You are currently viewing: Contact the National Clearance Hub to get help

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