The tax charges depend on the country the goods are being imported to. For goods arriving in the UK, the VAT charges are generally 20% of the declared value of the inventory plus a small deferment charge for use of the HMRC deferment account.

Goods arriving in France, VAT rates are different for different categories of belongings. In your ‘Removal Introduction Pack’, please fill out the ‘UK to France Taxable Inventory’ where we can submit this to French Customs ahead of the move and request a cost of taxes/duties.

Goods Arriving in Spain, taxes & duties are calculated based on the volume of the load. This is worked out by Spanish customs once the paperwork has been submitted and you will be informed of the amount payable. It would be realistic to expect a figure of a few hundred Euros through to a thousand Euros for most house moves. Paying tax on belongings you already own may initially feel like an unwelcome element to an already stressful time with many people fearing a tax bill escalating into thousands of pounds. Luckily for the most part, this is not the case and should not put you off moving your taxable goods. Our team will be more than happy to advise on doing so. 

Inheriting goods from a deceased loved one can be a complex and emotional process, and it’s important to understand the tax implications involved. One question that often arises is whether or not you need to pay VAT or duty on the belongings you inherit.

In most cases, the answer is no. If you can prove that you were part of an inheritance by means of the will and/or probate, it is likely that you will not be required to pay any VAT or duty on entry of the belongings you have inherited. This is because VAT and duty are typically applied to goods that are bought or sold, and not to goods that are transferred as gifts or inheritances.

However, it’s important to note that you may still be required to provide an inventory of the goods you are moving. This is necessary for customs purposes, as it helps to ensure that the goods are properly declared and that any applicable taxes or duties are correctly assessed. The inventory should provide detailed information about each item you are moving, including its value, origin, and any other relevant details.

Brexit, the UK’s departure from the European Union, has brought about many changes, one of which is the requirement to declare everything that is being carried into the country. This includes personal belongings that people may bring with them when moving houses. Unfortunately, this has made the process of moving internationally more complicated, expensive, and time-consuming than before.

The declaration process for these items can be quite complex, requiring individuals to provide extensive documentation and pay significant fees. In some cases, it may even require the assistance of a customs agent or broker, further adding to the cost and complexity of the process.

Moreover, there are currently no options presented by any authority to incorporate an allowance of these goods with a house move. This means that individuals are left to navigate the complex and expensive customs process on their own, making it an unviable option for many.

The impact of Brexit on individuals moving houses internationally cannot be understated. It has created significant barriers to entry, making it more difficult and expensive to relocate. While there may be some solutions presented in the future, at present, the process remains challenging and largely unviable.

It is a common misconception that if you pack your own boxes, they are not insured during a move. However, at Watson European, we understand that packing your belongings can be a personal and important part of the moving process. That’s why we offer specialist removers insurance that covers your belongings, even if you have packed them yourself.

We believe that you should have the freedom to pack your items the way you want, without having to worry about the safety of your belongings during transport. Our insurance policy is specifically designed to give you peace of mind, knowing that your belongings are protected throughout the entire moving process.

In fact, we take extra care to ensure that all items are packed securely and safely, regardless of who has packed them. We provide our customers with high-quality packing materials and offer guidance on how to pack their items safely, so that they arrive at their new home in the same condition they left in.

So, whether you choose to pack your items yourself or prefer to leave it to our expert team, you can rest assured that your belongings are fully insured with our specialist removers insurance policy. At Watson European, we are committed to providing a stress-free and reliable moving experience for our customers, and that includes ensuring that all of your belongings are fully protected during transport.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, packing materials are not included. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Our team understands the importance of clear and concise communication, especially when it comes to our customers’ inquiries. We want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your service with us.

At the end of the day, our goal is to provide you with a positive shopping experience and exceptional customer service. We believe that clear and concise communication is key to achieving this, and we are committed to doing everything we can to make sure you have all the information you need to feel confident in your purchases.

We take great care in preparing and packaging our products for shipment, but unless explicitly stated in writing, packing materials are not included. If you have any questions or concerns about our products or policies, our customer service team is always available to assist you.

In addition to our Terms & Conditions, we also provide detailed product descriptions on our website to help you make the best decision for your needs.

Flatpack furniture is a hugely popular member of many households, known for its low pricing, convenient packaging and availability. To achieve all of these things, it is often made from cheaper materials which are perfectly suited to the job in hand when assembled in your house however, they are not designed to be transported while assembled. Therefore,

Watson European strongly advise that you dismantle your flatpack furniture before we arrive to ensure it is fit for travel – it does have a lot of mileage to cover!

Yes, the contents of drawers and other movable units must be emptied prior to our arrival unless otherwise stated in writing as per clause 3.1.10 in our Terms & Conditions.

Drawers and units are often tricky enough to manoeuvre at the best of times and when they still have contents in them, the weight can be increased significantly. In addition to this, the risk of injury is far greater. A unit may collapse when lifted or transported due to the weight, drawers or doors are more likely to open and this can risk damage to your property and our staff!

Moving can be a stressful experience, especially when you’re relocating between countries. At our moving company, we understand that you have a lot on your plate during this time, which is why we offer all of our clients moving between the EU and UK up to 60 days of free storage at our dedicated facility in Lincoln, UK.

This means that you can take your time settling in and tying up any loose ends before we arrive with your belongings. You might even decide to use this time to do some renovations to your new property, ensuring that it’s perfect before you move in.

With our free storage offer, you’ll have the time and space to take a breather and prepare for your new life. Whether you need to catch your breath or sort out some last-minute details, we’ve got you covered.

Of course, we understand that sometimes you may need more than 60 days of storage. That’s not a problem! We offer competitive storage rates that will start after the free period ends, so you can take as much time as you need to get settled in.

At our company, we strive to make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our free storage offer is just one of the ways that we go above and beyond to ensure that our clients are satisfied with our services.

Customs offices are often strict on the quality of the documentation submitted to them.

Wherever possible, documents should be scanned onto your computer and sent to us as a PDF file.

The reason for this is that PDF documents offer good clarity and security against other document types. If you are not confident in using a computer and scanner, you should seek help of family, friends or neighbours to assist.

If time allows, you could post copies of documents to us for us to process however do consider the reliability of the postal services before doing so. Also, never send original documents by post!

Watson European are a growing and ever versatile company, mainly operating between the UK, France & Spain. As well as house moves, we have specialist equipment that can transport your vehicles too. From cars, to tractors, caravans & motorhomes, we can offer a complete service, or just part of one!

If you have any queries on any of the questions answered here or have a question we haven’t answered, please get in touch. We love to chat and would love to see what we can do for you!