Not applicable to you?

The majority of people moving into the United Kingdom will qualify for Transfer of Residence. If, however, you were moving belongings to an additional property in the United Kingdom and your move therefore did not qualify for Transfer of Residence, you will most likely need to pay duty and taxes. In this scenario, we would require an itemised list of your goods with second hand valuations and we would be able to provide an estimate that UK Customs will charge.

Start your application

The link below will redirect you to the Gov website where you can begin your application.

Start your Transfer of Residence application

What you will need to complete your application

  • Contact details consisting of email address and phone number.
  • Company name and address if you are moving into the United Kingdom for work or study purposes.
  • Your new address in the United Kingdom. This may not be possible all of the time, so a temporary address or the address of a relative/friend where you can be contacted, supported by a covering letter explaining this should suffice.
  • Proof of residence outside of the United Kingdom.
  • Details of vehicles or pets that you are planning to import. If this part is not completed, it can cause problems further down the line.

Other documents you will need

  • Copy of your Passport
  • If applicable, a copy of your Visa.
  • A signed inventory of the goods that you will be importing. It is possible to use the inventory we supply you with following the pre-move survey. Alternatively, you are welcome to produce your own list.
  • Relevant evidence for your move into the United Kingdom in the form of a signed job offer or rental agreement.

Please note

Once your application has been submitted, you should receive an automated reply confirming it has been received. It is worth keeping an eye on your SPAM folder, as their reply can sometimes go into there by mistake. If you still haven’t received anything within 24 hours of submitting your application, please contact their helpline directly to double check that is has been received their end:

0300 322 9434 (option 3 and then option 4).

When submitting your application, please ensure that attachments are not more than 6mb as they will not be accepted.

What happens next?

After approval has been granted, you will be supplied with a Unique Reference Number (URN) and this is what will need to be passed onto our team. It is important to send this onto Anchor Removals as soon as you possibly can. 

If your pack up date is fast approaching and you are yet to receive your Unique Reference Number, please contact the Transfer of Residence helpline and keep Anchor Removals updated so that we can prepare a contingency plan if needed.

FAQ’S

It varies depending on the time of the year. We have seen applications be accepted within 24 hours during the quieter times of the year and it can take up to 4-6 weeks during the peak summer season. This is why we recommend applying as soon as you possibly can.

We are not permitted to complete the Transfer of Residence application on your behalf. The individual(s) moving into the United Kingdom must complete and submit the application. We are, however, always here to assist with any queries you may have along the way.

Your Unique Reference Number will be valid for 12 months after your arrival in the United Kingdom and up to 6 months before your arrival. If there is a degree of uncertainty around your move, it may be wise to wait until you have clarity. 

In order for Transfer of Residence to be granted, you must have lived outside of the United Kingdom for a minimum of 12 consecutive months and owned your goods for no less than 6 months.Your belongings must arrive no more than 12 months after your arrival into the United Kingdom and you have to keep them for a minimum of 12 months after they arrive.

Other ways to Customs clear your belongings without paying duty and taxes consist of Returned Goods Relief, Inherited Goods Relief and Student Relief. These all have their own requirements that would need to be met in order to qualify. For more information, please contact us.
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