Moving to the UK
Moving to the UK – Moving home from UK
Moving to the UK
Customs clearance will be needed for the Hungarian export and the UK importation of your belongings.
- For the Hungarian export procedure, we will need a copy of your identity card or passport, and your address registration and tax identification card.
- In addition, we will need a bilingual packing list (we will prepare it), and a declaration of value (we will prepare it).
- An Engagement Letter for us, for the handling of the moving and the customs clearance procedure
It is advisable to collect all documents needed before the move and send them to us as soon as possible, so that we can start working. For export customs documents, it is essential to apply for a VPID number, which, if you don’t have it yet, takes 1-2 days to obtain. As the VPID number and customs clearance can only be processed during working hours, this should be taken into account when planning your move. The finalisation of the documentation required for customs clearance is possible after loading, once the exact details of the shipment (weight, volume, number of items) are known. We can only depart when the export clearance documents are available.
Before you start your move, you will need to register for UK import/customs clearance, which you can find at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-for-transfer-of-residence-relief-tor1
Once you have received confirmation from the ToR system approving your duty-free status, you can start the Hungarian export customs clearance. Once that is completed, our UK forwarder will link the Hungarian export document number to the UK system, and we will receive a GMR number to dispatch the shipment (board the ferry). There might be some control checks at the UK side while on the ferry, but on the French side, in principle everything is done when we board the ferry.
Once we have arrived with the ferry to the UK, there should be no obstacle to unloading the shipment.
Moving home from UK
When moving home from UK, customs clearance – notwithstanding the fact that your belongings can be brought/exported duty-free under certain conditions – is still required, which consists of two parts.
A UK export and a Hungarian import customs clearance.
The following documents are required for the UK export customs clearance, i.e. for the exit:
- A copy of the sender’s UK identity documents
- A detailed (bilingual: English-Hungarian) packing list, and a declaration of value: 1 copy
- An international waybill (CMR consignment note, which we will provide you at the time of loading): 2 copies
- An Engagement Letter for us, for the handling of the moving and the customs clearance procedure.
The exit from the UK is only possible with the help of a forwarding agent, so we can only schedule your exit from UK for working days and working hours.
The following documents are required for the Hungarian customs clearance, i.e. for the “release for free circulation”:
Specific cases of a duty-free procedure:
General moving
Marriage
Moving for work
Bequest / inheritance
For general moving:
- The Hungarian documents (identity card, driver’s license, passport) evidencing the identity of the person moving/the recipient of the belongings: in 2 copies
- Valid Hungarian address registration card and tax identification card: 3 copies
- Detailed packing list and declaration of value: 1 copy
- An Engagement Letter for us, for the handling of the moving and the customs clearance procedure: 4 copies
- A proof that you have been living in UK for the last 13 months
What proof is acceptable?
Utility bill(s) issued for your name, phone, cable TV, electricity, etc. – required for all 13 months!
A request to the Hungarian Tax Authority stating the reason for which you wish to have the goods shipped to Hungary and asking the Hungarian authorities to clear your used personal belongings duty-free. We can help you draft this request.
The Hungarian Tax Authority has the power to decide on the duty-free treatment. During the procedure, the Tax Authority may ask for additional documents.
The Hungarian Tax Authority also have the right to inspection and to an itemised customs check.
If you are moving for work, you will need a copy of your employment contract in addition to your personal documents and the documents accompanying the shipment. If the contract is in a foreign language, the Hungarian Tax authority may request a translation!
In the case of a bequest/inheritance, in addition to the personal documents and the documents accompanying the shipment, the probate order will also be required. If written in a foreign language, a certified translation is required.
Please note:
*1. Parcel list, declaration of value. The parcel list must list all items. For the boxes, the exact, detailed contents need to be listed. (For normal quantities, no need to detail how many glasses, plates, etc.) Example: Box 1: glass and crystal glasses. Box 2: porcelain plates and bowls. Box 3: stainless steel pans with glass lid and vinyl handles. Box 4: books and photos. Box 5: clothes. Item No. 6: fabric covered sofa, etc.
The declaration of value must be made by the owner in respect of the total value of the goods to be shipped home. Only second-hand goods or goods that have been owned by you for at least 6 months can be imported duty-free and tax-free into Hungary. This does not apply to vehicles. We will prepare and send you a declaration of value, which you need to print out and sign.
*2. International waybill, also known as CMR – this will be provided by the moving company at the time of loading.
*3. Your address registration card must show the same address to which the delivery is made. If you are renting the apartment, the Hungarian Tax Authority will not accept the rental contract, you must register the apartment to which the delivery is made as your place of residence, and the address registration card must be presented!
*4. We will prepare these documents, and send them to you by e-mail, which you will need to print out and sign, and return to us. The originals will be needed at the time of the move.
It is advisable to collect all required documents before the move and send them to us in advance.
As customs clearance is only possible during working hours, we can only clear your Swiss exit and release for free circulation in Hungary during working days, during the opening hours of the Hungarian Tax Authority or the relevant customs office.
On weekends, only transit is possible between two customs clearances.
The unloading and delivery of the shipment is only possible after the successful customs clearance based on the decision of the Hungarian Tax Authority.
