Importing knitwear from Turkey to the UK requires a customs declaration at the UK border. A customs broker handles this on your behalf — applying the 0% FTA duty rate, presenting the EUR.1, and keeping you compliant with HMRC. Here is what you need to know.
A customs broker (also called a customs agent, freight forwarder with customs clearance capability, or import agent) is a person or company authorised to submit import declarations to HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS) on your behalf. When your knitwear arrives at a UK port — Felixstowe for sea freight, Heathrow for air — the consignment cannot be released from the port until an import declaration has been submitted and accepted. Most UK businesses use a customs broker rather than submitting their own declarations, because the process requires specialist software, CDS authorisation, and detailed knowledge of commodity codes and duty rates. For knitwear from Turkey, the broker's critical role is applying the correct FTA 0% duty rate by presenting the EUR.1 Movement Certificate.
The broker submits the import declaration electronically through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which replaced the older CHIEF system. The declaration includes: your EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification — every UK importer needs one; register free at gov.uk/eori), the commodity code for your knitwear, the customs value, the country of origin, and the duty rate claimed. The CDS issues an e-document confirming clearance, at which point the port releases your consignment. Without a completed declaration, your goods sit at the port and incur demurrage charges.
The EUR.1 Movement Certificate is the document that proves your knitwear qualifies as Turkish origin under the UK–Türkiye FTA, entitling it to 0% import duty rather than the standard UK Global Tariff rate of approximately 12%. The broker includes the EUR.1 reference in the import declaration. Without a valid EUR.1, the broker must declare the standard tariff rate and you pay duty. Common failure modes: the factory forgot to obtain the EUR.1 before shipment; the EUR.1 was issued but not included in the shipping documents; the EUR.1 has an error that makes it invalid. Brief your broker to verify EUR.1 presence and validity before filing the declaration.
The commodity code (part of the UK Trade Tariff / Harmonised System) determines which duty rate applies in the absence of FTA preference. For knitwear, the correct heading is HS Chapter 61 (clothing of knitted or crocheted fabric). Sub-headings vary: women's jerseys and pullovers fall under 6110; men's under 6110; cardigans under 6110.20 (cotton) or 6110.30 (man-made fibre) etc. The specific 10-digit UK commodity code affects both the standard duty rate and the import VAT calculation. An experienced knitwear broker will have these codes at hand; a general broker filing your first knitwear shipment may need to be prompted to verify the correct code.
Import VAT (20% on CIF value + duty) is due on all commercial imports unless a deferment account is in place. For VAT-registered UK businesses, import VAT is typically recovered on the next VAT return — it is not a permanent cost. The broker can arrange postponed VAT accounting (PVA) which allows you to defer the import VAT payment to the VAT return rather than paying at the border — improving cash flow significantly. Request that your broker applies PVA to your import declarations if you are VAT-registered; this is standard practice but needs to be specifically enabled.
| Document | Purpose | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, product description, buyer/seller details | Factory |
| EUR.1 Movement Certificate | Proves Turkish origin → 0% duty | Factory (issued by Turkish customs) |
| Packing list | Unit count, carton dimensions, weights by SKU | Factory |
| Bill of Lading or AWB | Proof of shipment; title document for sea freight | Shipping line / freight forwarder |
| Your EORI number | Identifies you as UK importer in CDS | You (register at gov.uk/eori — free) |
| Freight invoice | Confirms freight cost for CIF value calculation | Your freight forwarder |
Not all customs brokers are equally familiar with the UK–Türkiye FTA and the EUR.1 process. When evaluating a broker, ask specifically: "We import knitwear from Turkey under the UK–Türkiye FTA with EUR.1 certificates — is this something you handle regularly?" A broker who handles Turkey regularly will know the EUR.1 format, understand the rules-of-origin requirements for clothing, and recognise when a EUR.1 is incorrectly completed. A general-freight broker who occasionally handles Turkey shipments may be less confident and more likely to default to the standard tariff rate if the EUR.1 process is unclear.
For sea freight from Turkey (arriving via Mersin), the most common UK entry port is Felixstowe (Suffolk) — the UK's largest container port. Brokers with direct Felixstowe agent status can file declarations efficiently for consignments arriving there. If you are using air freight (Heathrow), confirm the broker has Heathrow experience. Tilbury (London) and Southampton are alternative sea ports. Choose a broker with established agent relationships at the port your freight route uses — it reduces delays at clearance stage.
A typical brokerage fee for a standard import declaration is £100–£200 per shipment. This usually covers: filing the declaration, presenting the EUR.1, and handling routine queries from Border Force. Additional fees can apply for: amendment of a declaration, physical inspection by Border Force (which happens randomly and is not charged by the broker but may incur port examination fees), split declarations (if your consignment enters on multiple Bills of Lading), or out-of-hours filing. Request a full fee schedule before committing, and confirm whether the first import declaration is treated as a setup / trial or standard rate.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is the trade body for UK freight forwarders and customs agents. BIFA members agree to standard trading conditions and have access to professional development resources. While BIFA membership is not a regulatory requirement (unlike the need for HMRC authorisation to file CDS declarations), it is a useful indicator that a broker operates to professional standards. When shortlisting brokers, check BIFA.org for their directory. The BIFA standard trading conditions also define liability limits that are relevant if your consignment is damaged or delayed during transit.
1. Register for an EORI number at gov.uk/eori (free; processed within 3 working days). 2. Brief your factory to obtain the EUR.1 from Turkish customs before the consignment departs — this cannot be retrospectively issued. 3. Select and onboard your customs broker — send them your EORI number and a copy of your company registration for their records. 4. Confirm your goods are correctly described on the commercial invoice (use a clear English description: "Women's jumpers, 80% merino wool 20% nylon, knitted" rather than internal product codes your broker cannot classify).
1. As soon as the factory sends the shipping documents (commercial invoice, EUR.1, packing list), forward them to your broker — ideally the same day. Delays in getting documents to the broker can delay clearance. 2. Confirm with your freight forwarder the estimated arrival date at the UK port and share this with your broker — they can plan the declaration filing for arrival day. 3. Check the EUR.1 yourself before forwarding: the exporter name and address, consignee name, and commodity description on the EUR.1 must match the commercial invoice. Any discrepancy can cause clearance delay while the broker requests clarification.
Every shipment we send includes the commercial invoice, EUR.1, packing list and any other documentation your UK customs broker requires. We can also liaise directly with your freight forwarder to ensure documents arrive promptly. First-time importers from Turkey: we've guided many brands through their first clearance — ask us to walk you through what to expect.
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