The Scandinavian Transport & Logistics Blog

The UK-EU Trading Agreement agreed before the end of the Brexit transition guaranteed mutual recognition of goods and waived all import duties. The only day-to-day change is the requirement for importers to file some additional import paperwork, in line with what is already required for UK imports from non-EU countries.

Imports and exports between the UK and the EU (including Norway) now need to state the item’s commodity code. These codes are drawn from the globally-recognised, WTO-approved Harmonised Code (HS) system, so the commodity code for a shipment of bricks, for example, is the same whether it comes from Germany, India, or Ghana. HS Codes are ten-digit quick reference strings that tell readers the broad category, specifics, variant, and country of origin of the goods they're describing. Here's how they work:

Brexit has meant a few changes to the customs paperwork needed to send or receive goods between the UK and Scandinavian countries. Thanks to the 2020 Trade Agreement, most customs regulations will fundamentally remain the same. However, you'll now need to provide more information to customs officials than you might have once expected. Here's what to supply:

Whether or not a last minute trade deal is agreed between now and Christmas, it’s likely that the way you conduct business with your partners in the EU will change after 31st December 2020. Customs paperwork and import duties will become a routine part of importing and exporting goods between Europe and the UK – at least until a trade agreement is reached. This doesn’t mean that delays and significantly increased costs are inevitable – but the more prepared you are for potential changes today, the less impact there will be on your supply chain as the UK completes its exit from the EU.

Here’s our guide to what to expect when shipping goods in the New Year. We’re here to help and provide all the support you need to minimise costs and delivery times – so please get in touch if you have any questions.

So, you want to ship a large package from the United Kingdom to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, or Finland? There are quite a few ways you can do this. However, each needs careful consideration. Large load haulage can be extremely costly and cumbersome if planned and handled poorly. Here's our guide to getting the best deal on large package shipping to Scandinavian countries.

Because all Scandinavian countries are a part of the EU/EEA/EFTA free trade zone, there aren't (at the time of writing) import duties or taxes that apply to most items that are shipped for commercial reasons from the UK. Although this may change after Brexit. In all cases though, you will need to work within the VAT tax recording system, so that taxes are collected on the sale of items if necessary. You will also still need to create detailed shipment manifests, so that the local customs procedures are followed.

With the Covid 19 crisis and subsequent lockdown occupying all the headlines and, to be honest, most people’s headspace, it’s easy to forget that we’re nearly two months into the Brexit transition period.

Despite the disruption and uncertainty caused by the virus, including many high profile names becoming ill with the disease, the UK government have insisted a deal can be done in time for 31st December.

So in this article we look beyond Coronavirus and bring the conversation back to Brexit, and in particular, how things currently stand for UK-Scandinavian trade when the Transition Period ends.

When it comes to shipping commercial goods from one country to another, time is a sensitive issue. There are numerous ways to send items from the UK to Sweden. Your cargo can travel by ship, plane or lorry, or – more usually – by a combination of transport modes.

The distance to travel is different for each of the three methods. The number of documents to prepare, the loading process, and the cost differ as well. Your choice of delivery option depends on the cargo weight and sensitivity as well as the urgency and cost.

Every day thousands of tonnes of freight arrive at dozens of ports across Europe, to be loaded onto ships and transported around the world. From these ports, goods are loaded onto trucks to continue their journey to manufacturers, refineries, factories, wholesalers and retailers.

During 2017 in the UK alone, over 481-million tonnes of incoming and outgoing freight passed through, accounting for over 95% of all UK freight movements.

When you suddenly find yourself having to ship goods to pastures new it can be a disconcerting process - especially when your goods have to cross unknown borders. Employing the services of a specialist logistics company, with in-depth knowledge of your particular requirements and the mode of transport best suited to your company’s needs, will provide peace of mind.

If for instance, you are shipping to Finland, choosing a company like NTEX, who have specialist knowledge of Finland’s transport links and customs requirements, will ensure your goods are delivered quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.