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Customs at Heathrow

Customs at Heathrow keep on losing my export licences, and, judging by the frequency with which they turn up with the goods when delivered to the consignee, they seem to regard the words “export licence” as an instruction, rather than a title – what can I do about this?

This is a very common experience, (especially at Heathrow) and you are not alone. Customs are not necessarily to blame – invariably they will blame the freight forwarder, and vice-versa, and the exporter is caught between the two and left having to apply for a replacement licence. Blame might well be shared between the two, but if the licence actually turns up with the goods in country, then there is a very strong likelihood that the freight forwarder is the one at fault. The procedures used by Customs in processing licences (at Heathrow), should make the shipping of the licence with the goods almost impossible and the fact that a licence will not have been processed or stamped means that an illegal shipment has taken place.

A best practice solution for the current situation is for exporters to ensure that they always enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope attached to the back of the export licence, when this is being presented to Customs. This should help to ensure that the licence is sent back to the exporter, provided the freight forwarder presents the licence to Customs in the first place! Also, always make sure that the freight forwarder used is fully briefed on what is required of them, and don’t take it for granted that they know what they are doing.