United Kingdom
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Customs guides
International Relocations & Removals Customs Guides
Everything you need to know about your destination country customs when shipping your home from Dubai — including transfer-of-residence relief, who qualifies and how the timing works. We manage all of it for you.
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What is transfer-of-residence?
ToR is the customs relief that lets you bring your used household goods into your destination country without paying import tax or duty. It has to be claimed correctly, with the right paperwork, and we handle the whole claim as standard on every move to your destination country.
Typical conditions
- You're moving your normal residence to your destination country
- The goods are used, and were yours before the move
- The claim is made with the right paperwork before the goods are cleared
- Any minimum periods abroad or of ownership are confirmed for your move at survey
Timing matters most
Relief has to be in place when your goods are cleared — how and when to claim it varies by country, and we confirm yours when we quote. We track the shipment so the paperwork is ready when your goods reach customs.
Relief does not usually cover
- New or unused goods bought for the move
- Alcohol & tobacco products
- Commercial goods or business assets
- Cars — checked separately at survey
Unsure whether you qualify? Talk to a customs specialist before you ship — call +971 800 FUSION (387466) or message us on WhatsApp.
International Customs Guides from Dubai
Correctly applied customs exemptions eliminate import VAT and duty on your household goods — saving thousands. Every country has a different customs regime, documentation requirement, and eligibility rule. These guides explain exactly what is required for each destination, prepared by Fusion’s in-house customs team.
Why Customs Documentation Matters
The Difference Between a Smooth Move and an Expensive Delay
Customs exemptions for international household moves are not automatic — they require correctly prepared documentation submitted at the right time. These guides explain what is required for each country, what can go wrong, and how Fusion manages every step.
Significant VAT & Duty Savings
French TVA is 20%. German VAT is 19%. UK import VAT is 20%. Australian GST is 10%. On a typical 3-bedroom household move, correctly applied exemptions save AED 30,000–80,000 in avoided taxes. The paperwork takes time. Getting it wrong costs far more.
Incorrect Documentation Causes Delays
Customs holds at destination ports can run from days to weeks. The most common cause is incomplete or incorrectly prepared documentation — missing proof of prior residency, incorrect inventory descriptions, or exemption forms submitted after arrival. Fusion prepares every document before your goods leave Dubai.
Eligibility Rules Vary by Country
Every country has different eligibility requirements. The UK requires 12 months’ prior non-UK residency and a ToR1 form submitted to HMRC. Australia requires biosecurity clearance. Canada requires pre-arrival declaration. Fusion’s customs team knows every regime and prepares every client before shipment.
Managed In-House on Every Route
Fusion does not outsource customs documentation to third parties. Every exemption application — HMRC ToR1, ABF Transfer of Residence, CBSA BSF186, Zollverwaltung Hausrat, DGDDI franchise — is prepared by Fusion’s in-house team for every client.
Destination Guides
International Customs Guides — Dubai to Each Destination
Select your destination for a full guide covering: the applicable customs regime, eligibility requirements, required documentation, prohibited and restricted items, typical clearance timelines, and country-specific practical details. Every guide is written by Fusion’s in-house customs team based on direct operational experience.
Australia
Avoid quarantine delays & save 10% GST. Australia's ABF Transfer of Residence relief and DAFF biosecurity rules explained for Dubai movers.
Belgium
BTW/TVA-free import under the EU exemption, the documents Belgian customs expects, and the items to declare when moving from Dubai.
Canada
Import household goods to Canada duty-free. CBSA BSF186 personal effects declaration, Goods to Follow list & GST exemption explained.
France
Save 20% French TVA with the DGDDI franchise de déménagement. EU Reg. 1186/2009 for France — eligibility, documents & process.
Germany
Save 19% German MwSt with the Zollverwaltung Hausrat exemption. EU Reg. 1186/2009 eligibility, Anmeldung & documents explained.
Greece
How Greek customs works when moving household goods from Dubai — duty-free transfer-of-residence relief, AFM tax number, documents, timings and exclusions.
Italy
How Italian customs works when moving household goods from Dubai — duty-free residence-transfer relief, codice fiscale, documents, timings and exclusions.
Malaysia
Duty and SST exemption for qualifying residents, MM2H notes, prohibited items and the documents Malaysia expects — prepared by Fusion for every move.
Netherlands
EU transfer-of-residence relief in the Netherlands, the documents Dutch customs expects, and what to declare when moving from Dubai.
Poland
How Polish customs works when moving household goods from Dubai — mienie przesiedleńcze duty relief, the documents you need, timings and what's excluded.
Portugal
How Portuguese customs works when moving household goods from Dubai — duty-free transfer-of-residence relief, the documents you need, timings and exclusions.
Saudi Arabia
How Saudi customs works for household moves from Dubai — iqama and duty treatment, the prohibited list, Al Batha border inspection and required documents.
Singapore
GST relief for returning and new residents, what Singapore restricts, and the paperwork that clears your household goods — managed end to end.
South Africa
SARS rebate item 407.06: duty-free entry of household goods for immigrants and returning residents, restricted items and the forms that matter.
Six Sections. Every Question Answered Before You Move.
Each guide follows the same structure so you can find the information you need quickly. All the guides are written for Dubai-based residents relocating internationally — not generic customs information repurposed from elsewhere.
Eligibility Requirements
Who qualifies for the exemption — residency requirements, ownership duration, and timing rules that must be met before your goods depart Dubai.
Required Documentation
Every form, certificate, and supporting document required for customs clearance — with guidance on when each must be submitted relative to your shipment date.
Port & Clearance Process
Which port your goods enter, how the customs examination works, what inspections to expect, and how long clearance typically takes when documentation is correct.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Items that cannot be shipped, items requiring special permits, and items that will attract duty regardless of exemption status — screened before packing begins.
Vehicle Advice
Whether shipping your UAE vehicle makes sense — we check import, duty and registration rules for your car at survey and give you honest numbers.
Pet Import Requirements
Veterinary documentation, microchipping, vaccination requirements, quarantine rules, and CITES restrictions for each destination country.
Common Customs Mistakes
Four Mistakes That Turn a Smooth Move Into an Expensive Problem
These are the most common customs errors Fusion’s team encounters when clients approach us after a problem has already occurred — often with another company. Every one of them is preventable with correct preparation before goods leave Dubai.
Submitting Exemption Forms After Arrival
Most customs exemptions require documentation submitted at or before the time of importation. Submitting the HMRC ToR1 after your goods arrive in the UK, or the Australian ABF transfer of residence declaration after vessel arrival, forfeits the exemption entirely. Fusion prepares and submits every document before goods leave Jebel Ali.
New or Unused Items on the Inventory
Every exemption regime requires goods to have been owned and in personal use before the move. New, unused items — purchased specifically for the new home — do not qualify and will attract full import duty and VAT. Fusion screens every packing inventory before submission.
Shipping Before Your Residency Permit Is Confirmed
Several countries — including Vietnam and Bahrain — require a valid residency permit or work visa as a condition of personal effects exemption. Shipping goods before your permit is issued means they arrive as commercial imports, subject to full duty and VAT. Fusion advises on timing at survey stage.
Shipping Restricted Items Without Permits
CITES-regulated items (ivory, certain animal products), controlled medications, certain electronics, and agricultural products require advance permits in most countries. Shipping them without the correct documentation results in seizure, fines, and significant customs holds. Fusion screens every inventory before packing begins.
Why Trust Fusion’s Customs Guidance
Written by the Team That Manages Your Customs Clearance
These guides are written by Fusion’s in-house customs team — the same people who prepare your exemption documentation, liaise with destination customs authorities, and manage your clearance from Jebel Ali to delivery. They are not generic guides. They are operational knowledge, built moving households from Dubai to these destinations since 2010.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Quality management certification covering every stage of the move — including customs documentation preparation and submission processes.
4.9★ Google Rating
119 Google reviews from clients who completed international moves with Fusion. Customs management is among the most frequently cited strengths.
Destination Agent Network
Licensed customs brokers at every destination — HMRC-registered in the UK, ABF-licensed in Australia and CBSA-registered in Canada.
Unsure Which Exemption Applies to You?
Tell us your Dubai address, destination country, approximate move date, and residency status. A Fusion customs specialist will advise on your eligibility, required documentation, and any items that may cause issues — before you ship anything.
- Free customs eligibility assessment — no obligation
- All exemption documentation prepared in-house
- Inventory screening before packing begins
- ISO 9001 certified
Talk to a Fusion Customs Specialist Today
Whether you’re moving to London next month or planning a move to Sydney in six months, correct customs preparation starts before your goods are packed. Speak to Fusion’s team now.
Let's plan your move
Tell us a little about your relocation and a specialist will come back within one business day — by WhatsApp, phone or email, whichever suits you.
Thank you — request received
A move specialist will WhatsApp you within one business day. Prefer to talk now? Call +971 800 FUSION (387466).
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