Importing into UK from outside EU

[Justin]

I've been importing products for some time now, usual situation, takes 24 hours to get them into UK from anywhere in the world, sits with customs for a few days before clearance, delivered a few days later.

My latest order has stalled at customs for 7 days, I've been told its been passed to high value order clearance but its not much more than my usual order value. They're saying this can take up to 4 weeks to clear!

Parcelforce are advising me to split my order into several smaller orders to avoid this which seems crazy.

I'm trying to contact customs to discuss but having no luck. Now emailing Parcelforce high value and awaiting an answer.

Has anyone any experience of this and knows a better way of importing maybe?

My supplier has suggested we try DHL which is quicker than the EMS currently being used but I think we'll still hit the same issue?

[GoonerGary]

I was costing out pallets to arrive in from China and got in contact with a shipping agent in Felixstowe who sort all this out for you, but they didn't mention long clearance times. Can't help much further I'm afraid.

[Justin]

Looks like it could be an EORI number issue.

[GoonerGary]

Ahh, I remember customs arranging an EORI number for me when I was waiting for a shipment to clear from Conde in the USA.