Thames Freeport is launched
On 15 September Thames Freeport held their launch event and invited Essex Chambers of Commerce to attend to hear from keynote speaker Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP, who shared his enthusiasm for the wave of opportunities set to be unlocked by the new economic zone. Also speaking were Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport.
No location can match Thames Freeport for access to rail, road, river and international maritime routes. Comprising Britain’s most globally connected ports and logistics park and Ford’s world-class engine plant, Thames Freeport represents a faster, more cost-effective, and more environmentally responsible way to service domestic and European markets.
L to R - Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP,
Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,Forth Ports CEO Charles Hammond OBE,
DP World CEO for Europe Rashid Abdulla.
Find out more about the Thames Freeport HERE
View the new Government guidance on Thames Freeport
Get your business ready to use a Customs Freeport - Find out what you’ll need to do if you’re a business who wants to move goods into or out of a customs site.
Freeport customs sites (also known as a ‘free zone’) are secure customs zones where you can import or export goods inside the UK’s land border, but where some different import or export rules apply.
Apply to use a Freeport Special Procedure - If you’re a business who wants to move goods into or out of a Freeport customs site, you will need to apply to use the Freeport customs special procedure.
Before you apply you should check if you need the Freeport customs special procedure or if you can use existing customs special procedures.
You should apply if you have a provisional agreement in place with the customs site operator at the location where you intend to store or process your goods.
Declaring Goods and paying tax when using a Customs Freeport customs site - If you’re authorised to use the Freeport customs special procedure, you'll need to declare the goods and pay any tax due on goods you move into or out of a customs site.
You can use form C21 to declare goods entering the UK. This can be done before the goods arrive in the UK or when the goods have arrived in the UK.
Your goods will not be able to leave the control of the port until HMRC has confirmed that the goods can be released to the customs site. Goods discharged from temporary storage will move directly to the Freeport customs site under the Freeport special procedure.
Freeport customs sites (also known as a ‘free zone’) are secure customs zones where you can import or export goods inside the UK’s land border, but where some different import or export rules apply.
Apply to use a Freeport Special Procedure - If you’re a business who wants to move goods into or out of a Freeport customs site, you will need to apply to use the Freeport customs special procedure.
Before you apply you should check if you need the Freeport customs special procedure or if you can use existing customs special procedures.
You should apply if you have a provisional agreement in place with the customs site operator at the location where you intend to store or process your goods.
Declaring Goods and paying tax when using a Customs Freeport customs site - If you’re authorised to use the Freeport customs special procedure, you'll need to declare the goods and pay any tax due on goods you move into or out of a customs site.
You can use form C21 to declare goods entering the UK. This can be done before the goods arrive in the UK or when the goods have arrived in the UK.
Your goods will not be able to leave the control of the port until HMRC has confirmed that the goods can be released to the customs site. Goods discharged from temporary storage will move directly to the Freeport customs site under the Freeport special procedure.