What actually happens between a container being lifted off a ship at Felixstowe and the goods arriving on your loading bay. This walks through the sequence a UK importer's shipment goes through, who does what at each step, and where things go wrong in practice.
Most clearance problems are made — or avoided — before the goods even ship. UK import clearance is a paper exercise: HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS) checks that the values, classifications, licences and reliefs on the entry match what's on the commercial documents and the shipping paperwork. If any of that is wrong or missing, the container sits at the port while you fix it. Meanwhile the demurrage clock runs.
Get these lined up before the supplier books the vessel:
GB, followed by your VAT number). If you don't have one, apply at gov.uk — it takes minutes but the number can take up to a week to arrive.For the full pre-shipment paperwork list, see our UK Import Documents Checklist.
Your freight forwarder or clearing agent should receive the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and clearance instructions from you before the vessel arrives. "Clearance instructions" tells them the HS code, the Incoterm, the customs procedure code (usually a simple release for free circulation), whether you're using postponed VAT accounting, and how duty will be paid.
In practice, ideally 48–72 hours before ETA. Air freight is faster — flights land, goods are cleared, and moved within 24 hours if paperwork is ready.
The vessel berths and cranes lift containers off. Your container is placed in the container yard (CY) at the terminal — Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton, Liverpool, Immingham, Grangemouth. The shipping line issues an "Arrival Notice" to the consignee named on the bill of lading, listing the local charges (THC, doc fee, ISPS) that need to be paid before release.
The clearing agent submits an import declaration to CDS (Customs Declaration Service), HMRC's electronic clearance system. The entry contains the importer's EORI, HS code, customs value, country of origin, quantity, weight, procedure code and any preference or relief claimed.
CDS runs automated risk checks and returns one of three outcomes: Route 6 (fully automated release), Route 2 (documentary check — HMRC wants to see the paperwork), or Route 1 (physical exam — an officer wants to open the container). Around 90–95% of straightforward entries clear on Route 6 within minutes.
Import duty is calculated on the customs value (usually CIF value into UK: goods + freight + insurance to point of entry). Import VAT is calculated on customs value + duty + UK inland freight to the first UK destination. Use our Import VAT Calculator and Landed Cost Calculator to model this before the goods ship.
For details on how duty rates work, see UK Import Duty.
Three common ways:
Once CDS marks the entry cleared and any port health / DEFRA checks are done, the terminal releases the container electronically to whoever holds the release note — usually the haulier. A "delivery order" from the shipping line is also required for sea freight; that's issued once you've paid the line's local charges.
The haulier collects from the terminal, drives to your address, and either tips the container (you unload while the driver waits — usually 2 hours free time) or drops it on a trailer for you to unload at your pace. Empty is returned to the depot afterwards. If you're taking part-container LCL, the goods are moved to a bonded warehouse for deconsolidation first, then delivered as pallets.
For a straightforward Route 6 entry with clean paperwork: 15 minutes to 2 hours from submission. In practice, most delays aren't customs — they're the container queue at the terminal, haulage availability, and the line releasing the delivery order once port charges are paid. For plans and free-time on containers, see How to avoid demurrage on UK imports.
A few situations that add days rather than hours:
This guide is educational only. It's not legal, tax, customs brokerage or insurance advice. Freight, customs and tax rules change; always confirm the current position with HMRC and your customs agent before acting on a specific shipment.