mstiggiewinkle

If you say you are a student it is goung to ask you those details.
If you say you are working it is going to ask you specifics relating to that too.
If NEITHER of those apply ( i am returning for family reasons - neither work nor study) then indicate "other".

The entire purpose of this form is customs.
They want to know whether to tax you or not on the goods coming in.

Thats it! Pretty straightforward.

If you do not wish to pay tax on your personal belongings that you are transferring to the UK with you, then fill out the form before you leave. It takes about a month to get the number. Once you have the number, clearing customs will be a piece of cake.

mstiggiewinkle

Just a reminder to get the number BEFORE you ship.

A reputable shipper should not accept your goods without the TOR.

My goods arrived exactly when they said they did, intact (for the main part) and the customs clearing time is TWO TO THREE WEEKS after the ship docks.

My goods had not even been opened or examined, cleared in 2 weeks, and obviously sailed right through.

The shipper itself?
Thats another story. I will update soon!!

Robbie2010

Why?

My goods were well on their way before I got my ToR sorted ... Just needed to pass it on before ship arrived in UK.

jhampton

Do I have to provide Commodity Codes on the packing list to be submitted with TOR01? I can't seem to get a clear definition on this point Any help would be greatly appreciated

kirstyp

No, not at this stage. Whilst applying for the ToR you only need to submit a list of effects you intend moving to the UK. You can submit your shipping inventory list (from a survey) providing this show's all items you are moving.

You only need to submit a list with commodity codes (usually to your mover) if your ToR application is not approved.

jhampton

Thanks Kyrstyp Your reply has been very helpful and saves me pulling my hair out trying to find clear instructions from HMRC!

kirstyp

You're welcome. If you get stuck on anything your shipping company should be happy to advise. The whole ToR process has been tricky for everyone to understand because there isn't great guidance provided yet, and because it's quite new, but the shipping company should be pro at it by know and will be your best resource for making sure you understand and comply.

jhampton

Thanks again Kyrstyp for your helpful advice I'll be phoning the shipping company this morning with my questions but as you say because it's been a new process clear direction hasn't been readily available Hopefully it'll be plain sailing from here on in! (No pun intended!)

dmallind

Probably naive question but I am returning from the US on Dec 8th (which means I have no time to apply in advance) with only a couple of suitcases. I'll be bringing in laptop and phone but other than that only clothes. Would I be best just to go through the "something to declare" path or would that lead to massive amounts of paperwork for every pair of socks?

jhampton

I had to complete the TOR01 for customs approval to ship my household goods I'm not 100% sure but I wouldn't think there would be a need to declare anything at the airport if you are using your British passport and arriving with normal luggage

durham_lad

Unless you have goods listed on the things to declare list then you can through the nothing to declare line. No TOR required.

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/declaring-goods

Lis123

No, just arrive as normal, as if you were on holiday. No need to declare a thing.

geo101

So I am also in the process of organizing my move back to the UK from China and my prospective shipping companies are giving different takes what docs to include in my ToR form.

On one hand, one company is saying include everything mentioned in the ToR form guidance plus the kitchen sink. They insist I include rental contracts and a statement from employer in China (all of which is in Chinese, so would probably have to be translated), as well as copies of my contract with my UK employer (which I don't yet have - I get those when I am back). This is all in addition to my inventory list and my passport.

On the other, another company is saying that since I am a UK citizen, all I need is my inventory list and my passport.

One feels like overkill, the other somewhat light on docs. Can anyone share their experience with supporting docs for the ToR?

Lis123

Have you gone online and looked at the application form? You have to fill it in yourself, so this will give you a better idea.
As you are British, all you really need on top of your NI and passport number is proof of employment and an address.
Remember the primary goal of TOR is checking your Nationality and CUSTOMS/EXCISE.
After you fill out the form, you can worry about detail.
My shipper did not list every tiny item. I paid Marine Insurance and did not overly (sentimentally) insure. So, many items did not get listed in detail.
None of my goods were opened or gone through.
It is really a process to determine 1. You are legal/British. 2. You are not illegally importing and avoiding paying import tax.

durham_lad

Exactly.

My son didn't have proof of employment or a NI number when he came over in September (he did have his British passport). After he called them for advice he wrote in that he was not yet employed and would apply for a NI number after arrival.

Myself and my wife wrote a letter that he would be staying with us and included a utility bill for our address in my name. He scanned those in as part of his documentation. His ToR application was approved the next day.