Pay no import duties or VAT on importing goods for testing
You can claim relief on Customs Duty, VAT and Excise Duty if you're importing goods for testing, analysis or examination to the UK.
If you temporarily import goods for examination, analysis or test and then re-export them, you may be able to use temporary admission.
Who can get relief
Relief can be claimed by any person importing goods for:
- testing
- analysis
- examination
What you can claim relief on
You can get relief from Customs Duty, VAT and Excise Duty on goods imported for testing to find out their composition, quality or other characteristics for information, or for industrial or commercial research.
Excise Duty relief (but not import duty or VAT relief) is available on goods imported to test machines for making or packing tobacco products.
You cannot get excise duty relief for:
- goods consumed by a person in the course of testing
- petrol or petrol substitutes
- heavy oil for use as fuel for a road vehicle
Goods you cannot claim relief on
You cannot get this relief if the testing is, or is part of, a:
- sales promotion
- publicity exercise
You may be able to get a different relief if you import commercial samples of negligible value.
Before you claim
You should check if your goods are strictly controlled and if you will need an import licence.
When you get the commodity code for your goods using the tariff it will tell you if you need a licence.
Prior approval from HMRC is not required unless you’re claiming relief on excise goods.
How to get approval for excise goods
You must write to the National Imports Reliefs Unit at least 48 hours before you claim the relief and give them:
- a full description and quantity of the goods
- the address where the goods will be tested
- the dates of the test
- the expected duration of the tests
If satisfied, the National Imports Reliefs Unit will give you an approval note to present with the import declaration. This will include confirmation of the quantity of goods that can be imported to the relief and the date by which the testing should be completed.
When to claim relief
You should claim relief at the time of import. But if you do not do this, we may accept a late claim and repay the appropriate charges subject to conditions.
How to claim
You’ll need to have the necessary supporting documentation or evidence to show you’re entitled to this relief.
Goods imported as freight or in baggage
If your goods are imported as freight or in baggage you must complete a declaration.
The Additional Procedure Code for this relief is C33.
You must enter this code in DE 1/11 to declare that you’re using this relief (this is where you can claim relief from import duties). If you’re eligible to claim VAT relief, code F45 must also be declared in DE 1/11.
If you are bringing goods from a Special Fiscal Territory, such as from the Channel Islands to Great Britain, you must also use Additional Procedure Code F15 in DE 1/11.
DE 2/2 should include a GEN16 AI Code with the date and year tests are expected to be completed.
To claim excise duty relief on eligible goods, Additional Procedure Code 1RE must also be declared in DE 1/11. You cannot get this relief on:
- goods to be consumed by a person taking part in the tests
- petrol or petrol substitutes
- heavy oil for use as road fuel
You also cannot use code C33 if you are using the Entry in Declarant’s Records (EIDR) procedure.
Find out more information about how to:
- declare goods under this relief, including how to evidence eligibility to use the relief can be found in: Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
- complete an import declaration on the Customs Declaration Service in the CDS Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports
Goods imported by post
Ask the sender to write ‘Goods for test - relief claimed’ clearly on the package and its accompanying customs declaration (CN22 or CN23).
Find out more information about importing goods by post.
Getting someone else to complete your customs declaration
You can use someone else to complete entries on your behalf but you must make sure you give clear written instructions for the goods that you’re claiming relief on.
After you’ve claimed
What you need to do after testing ends
You must contact the National Imports Reliefs Unit telling them:
- where you imported the goods
- the number and date of the import declaration
- the quantity of goods imported, their value and the date you received them
- details of the tests carried out, where the tests were carried out and where records are available for inspection
- the date on which testing finished
- details of any goods remaining and what you intend to do with them.
If you’re a regular user of this relief, there may be options to vary these arrangements. Contact the National Imports Relief Unit for details.
If you have goods left over as a result of not using them in the tests or they were not completely used up (including waste and scrap), you can:
- pay duty and VAT
- destroy them free of duty and VAT but you will need our permission first
- convert them into waste and scrap and pay any duty and VAT that may be due
If you want to re-export any remaining goods, you must contact the National Imports Reliefs Unit explaining why re-export is necessary. We will then advise you if re-export can be allowed.
If you dispose of your goods
You must tell the National Imports Reliefs Unit if you dispose or transfer your goods to another entity. You must do this at least 48 hours before the transfer of goods happens.
Records you must keep
You must keep:
- any National Imports Relief Unit acknowledgement letters
- receipts
- bills
- invoices
- insurance documents
- evidence of disposal
You need to keep additional records if:
- you transfer goods to another approved entity – keep any official documentation detailing transfer between you and the other entity
- you re-export the goods — keep the New Export System declaration details or export documentation providing information about the date of export
- your goods are stolen, lost or destroyed — keep police records or insurance incident reports, or official documentation providing details of the date of the incident or loss
You must keep all records for a minimum of 4 years.
If you break the conditions of the relief
If you no longer meet the conditions of the relief, you must immediately notify the National Import Reliefs Unit electronically or in writing.
Provide full details of the importation and why you think the conditions of the relief have been breached.
If you want to appeal
Appeal if you disagree a decision made by HMRC.
Updates to this page
Published 29 June 2020Last updated 14 April 2023 + show all updates
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Guidance on how to claim if you are importing goods as freight or in baggage been updated.
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Guidance on how Excise Duty relief can be claimed has been added. 'Evidence of disposal' has been added to the 'Records you must keep' section.
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First published.