Relocating to the UK needs a considerable amount of planning, especially if you want to do it as stress-free as possible. It is indeed a very desirable place to relocate to, which means that many expats are looking at the same things you want—the best apartment at the best price, the best movers available, and just basically getting the best value for your money.

Luckily, APAC Relocation services comes with a well-connected network of suppliers and contacts who are not only reputable, but follow high-level standards.

The first question we often get is, how am I going to ship my things? While UK rules may seem confusing at first, here’s a list of things that you must consider:

You can import your items tax-free if you satisfy the following conditions:

• You have owned your items for more than six months and are living in a non-EU country for at least a year.
• You have already paid taxes for the items when you purchased or imported them
• You will not be selling, lending or disposing of the goods within a year of your stay in the UK
• You are moving home and intend to stay in the EU.

Household goods are defined as furniture, clothing, standard household appliances and other personal effects.

Customs regulations are undergoing changes in preparation for Brexit by January 2021.

Under the current rules, these are what you have to remember:

• If you are moving to the UK and are coming from an EU Country, you do not need to pay tax or duties on the goods relevant to your relocation
• If you are from a country outside the EU, then certain taxes and duties will apply. Make sure to fill up a form ToR01 if you are planning to move to the UK permanently. If you are planning to stay in the UK temporarily, then the terms and conditions of form C88 will apply to you. Your answers to these forms will determine the amount of your taxes and duties.

The following list includes items that are not allowed to be brought into the UK:

• illegal drugs;
• weapons- meaning that they are intended for the purpose of inflicting physical injury;
• self-defense sprays (e.g. pepper spray and CS gas);
• endangered plants and animals;
• rough diamonds;
• materials of indecent and obscene nature;
• meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries.

Restricted items, fire arms, ammunition, and explosives require a special license. Certain food and plant products are also restricted if they cannot be certified as pest and disease-free or if they were not grown in the EU or Switzerland.

Here are some of the goods that are allowed to brought into the UK, regardless of your country of origin. Be reminded however, that the quantity will depend on where you will be coming from.

Type of goods	Amount
Cigarettes	800
Cigars	200
Cigarillos	400
Tobacco	1kg
Beer	110 liters
Wine	90 liters
Spirits	10 liters
Fortified wine	20     liters

Moving to the UK requires careful planning. For one, you are never truly certain when your belongings will arrive or if your apartment is ready for occupancy. Luckily, there are reputable companies that specialize in storing your belongings securely, such as, Big Yellow Self Storage, Safe Store, and Lovespace.

You can always opt to turn to the experts for assistance. APAC Relocation has years of experience and have all the right contacts you will ever need.

Health and Medical Requirements

There are certain vaccinations and health requirements that you need to accomplish in line with the World Health Organization’s vaccine-preventable diseases monitoring system.

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies (for pets)
• Meningitis
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)

You will need to prepare in advance if you are moving to the UK with your dear pets. There are pet relocation services available that offer a seamless transition for you and your furry friends.

To ensure the passage of your pets into the UK, you must first:

• Check in advance whether you can bring your pet. You may need to get a pet-passport or an official veterinary certificate. It is also possible that you may need to get them microchipped and possibly re-vaccinated for rabies. Your pet may need a blood test in case you and your pet are moving from an unlisted country.
• If you need to get your pet microchipped, make sure to do it before the anti-rabies shot. If you get the microchip after the vaccine, it will not be considered valid.
• Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to travel with you and must comply with the list of required vaccines.
• If you are bringing your dog into the UK, please ensure that he gets his tapeworm treatment.

Ensure that you have either a pet passport or a valid vet certificate.