Get your business ready to use a Freeport customs site
Find out what you’ll need to do if you’re a business who wants to move goods into or out of a customs site.
From: HM Revenue & Customs (/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)
Published: 20 September 2021
Last updated: 6 October 2021
Freeport customs sites (also known as a ‘free zone’) are secure customs zones where you can
import or export goods inside the UK’s land border, but where some different import or export rules
apply.
If you choose to use a customs site to import or export goods, you may be able to:
- get relief from duties and import taxes
- use simplified declarations processes to reduce administrative burdens
- choose which rate of Customs Duty you use if processing the goods changes their classification
If your goods are purchased in the UK, you will continue to pay duties and import taxes using the normal UK rates.
Check what authorisation you need to use a customs site
You can apply to use the Freeport customs special procedure (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-touse-
the-freeport-customs-special-procedure) (a single authorisation combined with easier declaration
requirements) to import goods that are not controlled for:
- processing and then export or for sale in the UK
- storage and then export or for sale in the UK – only the Freeport business authorisation holder can place goods in storage within the Freeport customs special procedure
You cannot currently use the Freeport customs special procedure to import or export excise goods.
We will update this guidance with details about when you can do this as soon as possible.
If you do not apply to use the Freeport customs special procedure, you can choose to use an
existing customs special procedure (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pay-less-or-no-duty-ongoods-
you-store-repair-process-or-temporarily-use) that you are already authorised for to:
- import goods for processing and then export or for sale in the UK
- import goods for storage and then export or for sale in the UK
- import excise goods for storage and then export or for sale in the UK
- sell, produce or process excise goods (if you have the relevant excise approval)
You can move controlled goods into, or store goods in, a Freeport customs site if your existing
authorisation allows you to do so. If you want to move or store controlled goods and you do not have
the authorisation to do so, you’ll need to email: freeportbusinessapplications@hmrc.gov.uk.
Using an existing special procedure authorisation
If you intend to use an existing customs special procedure, the usual conditions of your existing
authorisation will apply but you’ll need to comply with the general Freeport customs site record
keeping rules.
You may also need to tell HMRC of any changes to your authorisation. For example, if the customs
site is going to be a new processing or storage location.
For full information and updates: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-your-business-ready-to-use-a-freeport-customs-site