Safety and security declarations for exports

Safety and security declarations are now required for all goods leaving Great Britain, regardless of their method of transport. This may mean that your freight forwarders and/or customs agents ask you for additional information about shipments. This information is normally contained with the existing export declaration form.
Additional Government guidance available: Safety and security requirements

Most exports will have their safety and security requirements met by completing the relevant fields on the standard customs export declaration. This is sometimes referred to as a combined exports declaration.

In some cases if the combined export declaration does not provide sufficent information an Exit Summary declaration (EXS) will be required.

The person(s) normally responsible for submitting a combined declaration is the exporter of the goods, ie the University, or their representative.

When an Exit Summary declaration (EXS) is required, the responsibility for ensuring this is submitted lies with the carrier or the operator of the ‘active means of transport’.

The carrier of the goods

  • has a legal responsibility to make sure the UK customs authority is provided with pre-departure safety and security information.
  • will need to make sure they provide certain information to the person submitting the combined exports declaration.
  • is responsible for submitting an Exit Summary declaration (EXS) if required.

This may mean that your freight forwarders and/or customs agents ask you for additional information about shipments.