C3 Customs Form for Shipping Household goods

I have completed this for the most part already and found that I have absolutely nothing to declare (yeah, I'm pretty darn boring).  But, my question is this:

The C3 form asks if you are moving to the UK due to marriage and then asks for a copy of the marriage license to be attached.  Now, is this literally a photocopy or an official copy?  I just want to check because if it is an official copy, I need to get down to the county clerk ASAP and get another copy.

Yes, I'm wondering about this question too!  My movers said I'd have to complete said C3 form as well.

Am I moving to the UK because of marriage?   Hmmm, well I did in 2004, but I already live here now--just having the rest of my stuff shipped over, so what should I put there?

And also about the copy too - as with Dar's question (if I need to do that)?

I may be making this up, as it's been a while and it didn't apply to me, but don't you get some extra concessions from customs if you're moving because of marriage? Like not having to pay duty on wedding presents even if they haven't been used for six months? Maybe that's what they're getting at with the form?

I'm pretty sure I just sent a photocopy.  Yeah, almost positive since UPS threw everything out and I ended up faxing everything to the UK end.

The moving company told me I wouldn't have to pay duty on anything if I'd owned it for a minimum of one year.  As I've had this stuff in storage for at nearly 4 years now (yikes!) and owned it for god knows how long before that, I think that qualifies!

The moving company told me I wouldn't have to pay duty on anything if I'd owned it for a minimum of one year.  As I've had this stuff in storage for at nearly 4 years now (yikes!) and owned it for god knows how long before that, I think that qualifies!

The only catch is that *I think* the customs waiver is only intended for goods shipped within one year of your move.  I'd go to the HMRC site and read the fine print - you might need to be careful about what dates you use.

Yeah, it took a bit of digging around to find the guidance notes -- they certainly can't make it easy, now can they?!

I don't think I'll put the moving for marriage thing down because our marriage took place three years ago - in 2004!  The form asks you for the date & the guidance notes on that point talk about the newly married (within 12 months) or those about to be married.

I still can't quite work out if this is 'closing down a secondary home outside the UK' -- I mean, we're talking a storage unit here -- not anywhere that I have been living.

Where it talks about moving your residence & the 12 month thing...it appears that they waive that condition with a reasonable explanation, so that may be the way for me to go.

FFS, this couldn't be any more complicated!  Surely I can't be the only person who's waited a few years to get my stuff shipped over.  If I end up paying VAT/duty for old stuff I've owned forever, I'm literally going to blow a fuse!

Yeah, it took a bit of digging around to find the guidance notes -- they certainly can't make it easy, now can they?!

I don't think I'll put the moving for marriage thing down because our marriage took place three years ago - in 2004!  The form asks you for the date & the guidance notes on that point talk about the newly married (within 12 months) or those about to be married.

I still can't quite work out if this is 'closing down a secondary home outside the UK' -- I mean, we're talking a storage unit here -- not anywhere that I have been living.

Where it talks about moving your residence & the 12 month thing...it appears that they waive that condition with a reasonable explanation, so that may be the way for me to go.

FFS, this couldn't be any more complicated!  Surely I can't be the only person who's waited a few years to get my stuff shipped over.  If I end up paying VAT/duty for old stuff I've owned forever, I'm literally going to blow a fuse!

Maybe provide an explanation.  Something like, "didn't move it at the time of my marriage because we didn't have anywhere to put the items, however, we do now."  Also, perhaps provides copies of the storage agreement showing that you have owned the stuff for years and therefore, shouldn't pay customs on any of it.  Don't know if it will work, but, its an idea.

Thanks Dar - I imagine that's what I need to do as well.

FWIW, the guide states for proof of marriage -- "copy of your marriage certificate or similar proof".  Surely, it would specify "certified copy" if that's what they intend to receive.

Thanks Dar - I imagine that's what I need to do as well.

FWIW, the guide states for proof of marriage -- "copy of your marriage certificate or similar proof".  Surely, it would specify "certified copy" if that's what they intend to receive.

Yeah, that is probably true.  I am dropping my boxes at the dock today.  Let's hope I have less than 40 cubic feet like I am hoping I do (probably is, I got it all in a Suburu Forrester and nothing is stacking ontop of anything else).  Mostly, cuz its CHEAP ($375!!!)

The C3 Form we present when we pick up our stuff, right?  Gah, so damn confusing!

The C3 Form we present when we pick up our stuff, right?  Gah, so damn confusing!

No idea yet.  I'm making arrangements with a door-to-door mover & I'm not that far along yet.

Mostly, cuz its CHEAP ($375!!!)

Lucky!  UPakWeShip quoted me $675 for 35 cu ft.  I think I may have more than that, and it didn't seem very competitive when I started toting up additional costs we would end up incurring if we went with them.  Maybe it was to do with our start location - Tampa, but I really don't know.

No idea yet.  I'm making arrangements with a door-to-door mover & I'm not that far along yet.

Lucky!  UPakWeShip quoted me $675 for 35 cu ft.  I think I may have more than that, and it didn't seem very competitive when I started toting up additional costs we would end up incurring if we went with them.  Maybe it was to do with our start location - Tampa, but I really don't know.

It must be the Tampa thing.  I am going out of Boston and I was surprised at how cheap the rate was. We only need to rent a smallish van to pick the stuff up and after figuring all that out money-wise, it was worth it.

We found Upak to be very competitive. Not to mention, you get good personal attention from Alison or Cindy. Maybe it helped that I was able to stop by their offices in MD and see them in person, but I don't think they would have given different service if I didn't.

They also shipped our goods, even though my company (who was paying for it), didn't pay them on time (within 10 days of invoicing). In fact, they didn't get paid until last Friday, and our stuff is already in the UK! That's less than 4 weeks since I dropped it off. I hope they give me more than a couple of days notice on the delivery, because I'm going to have to make all sorts of arrangements to park a truck on our little street for a morning.

I just did the same thing.  I wonder if your stuff was on the same ship as mine.  We are picking up in Manchester.  However, since you choose the option to pick it up yourself, you are responsible for all the customs clearance.  UPakWeShip did not do it for me but left it up to me.  You need to complete the C3 Form and fax it to Customs and Excise along with a contact number.  They will then call you when it is cleared and you can pick it up.  I faxed all my info yesterday (for a small fortune at the local library).  Also, if you are picking up from Cargo Marketing Services, there are additional 45 and 37 pound fees (I have to admit, it would have been nice to know about that when I booked my stuff to be shipped).  You must be cleared through Customs before you can pick up and you are only allowed 7 days rent free and you can only pick up M-F 8:30-4.  Although, I am still trying to figure out how to pay those fees as the woman hasn't sent me an invoice yet and I spoke to her on Monday and Wednesday.  Yet another headache.  I just hope customs clears me and I have all the paperwork I need.  PM me if you need anymore info.  I am pushing through all this junk as I type.

Ah, I arranged with Upak to have it delivered on this side. Maybe I need to go back and reread my contract with them, but it was my understanding that taking care of all that was part of our deal. That was precisely why I chose them, and this particular method (I dropped the shipment at their warehouse in the US, but they deliver to my door here). They weren't the cheapest, but their reputation on here, and their communication sold me.

I take it you have successfully made it over here as well then? Haven't been around much since I left the US. Too busy setting up the new house (3 weeks to get broadband and TV!!!), and trying to get up to speed in the new job.