Importing from China offers huge opportunities, but the process has plenty of pitfalls. Here are the five most common mistakes we see UK businesses make — and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Wrong or Missing HS Codes
HS (Harmonised System) codes classify your goods for customs purposes. Getting them wrong can result in:
- Incorrect duty calculations
- Goods held at the border
- Fines or penalties from HMRC
- Missed preferential duty rates
Fix:Â Work with a customs broker (like ASA Logistics) to correctly classify your goods before shipping.
Mistake 2: Undervaluing Goods on the Invoice
Some suppliers offer to declare a lower value on the commercial invoice to reduce import duty. This is customs fraud — and HMRC takes it seriously. Penalties include goods seizure, back-payment of duty, and prosecution.
Fix: Always use the true transaction value. Legitimate duty mitigation strategies exist — ask us about them.
Mistake 3: Not Accounting for All Landed Costs
Many importers only think about the product cost and freight — and then get a nasty surprise when the customs bill arrives.
Full landed costs include:
- Product cost
- Sea/air freight
- Origin and destination charges
- Customs duty
- Import VAT (recoverable if VAT registered)
- UK delivery costs
- Customs broker fees
Fix:Â Build a landed cost model before placing your first order.
Mistake 4: Not Getting a Certificate of Origi
For goods exported from China that will be re-exported to the EU, a Certificate of Origin proving Chinese origin may trigger full EU tariffs. Similarly, some preferential trade agreements require proof of origin.
Fix:Â Understand origin requirements for your destination markets. Always request a Certificate of Origin from your supplier.
Mistake 5: Leaving Customs to the Last Minute
Submitting incomplete or incorrect customs entries causes delays. Goods held in customs incur demurrage and detention charges that add up quickly — especially on sea freight.
Fix:Â Prepare all documentation before your cargo departs China. Share documents with your customs broker at least 48 hours before arrival.
How ASA Logistics Protects You
Our freight and customs team proactively checks documentation, flags potential issues early, and guides you through every step of your China-to-UK shipment.
Get in touch to discuss your imports.
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