In cross-border trade, when shipping goods to the UK, some special categories of goods are regarded as sensitive goods and require extra caution. Understanding the characteristics of these sensitive goods and the countermeasures is of vital importance for the smooth conduct of trade. Meanwhile, freight forwarders can play a significant role in handling the transportation of these sensitive goods.
I. Products containing electricity
Power banks, Bluetooth headphones, lithium batteries and other products with built-in batteries or pure electric ones are classified as sensitive goods containing electricity. Due to the fact that batteries are prone to causing safety accidents during transportation, the UK strictly regulates such electrical products and requires the provision of MSDS (Chemical Materials Safety Report) and UN38.3 certification. To transport such products safely and in compliance with regulations, it is recommended to choose a logistics company or freight forwarder with DG cargo (Dangerous Goods Transportation Qualification). A reliable one has professional qualifications and rich experience. In addition, the outer packaging of the product should be labeled with “Anti-electric shock”, and it is necessary to avoid the mixed loading of large cargo by sea to prevent battery damage caused by collision, compression, etc., which may lead to danger.
Ii. Liquid/paste items
Cosmetics, essential oils, toothpaste and other liquid or paste items are also among sensitive goods. Liquids are prone to leakage and contaminate other goods. Moreover, some products containing alcohol are classified as flammable in the UK. When clearing customs, the seller needs to provide the ingredient list and the product usage description document, elaborating in detail on the product ingredients and usage methods, so that the customs can determine its safety and compliance.
Iii. Infringing and Counterfeit Products
Goods involving brand trademarks, designs or patents, such as unauthorized Disney merchandise and counterfeit luxury items, are considered infringing and counterfeits. The British customs is extremely strict in protecting intellectual property rights. Once such goods are found, they will be destroyed directly. If such products are to be transported, a brand authorization letter or intellectual property rights certificate must be provided to prove the legal source of the products. At the same time, in product promotion, it is necessary to avoid using promotional words such as “similar to the design of big brands” that can mislead consumers and may infringe on their rights.
Iv. Food and Medicine
Food and pharmaceutical goods such as health supplements, complementary foods for infants and young children, and traditional Chinese medicine preparations need to comply with the British Food Safety Standards (BRC certification). Prepackaged food should clearly label its ingredients, shelf life and place of origin, so that consumers and customs can clearly understand the product information. For pharmaceuticals, an import license is required. Only with the license can they legally enter the UK market.
V. Magnetic items
Products containing strong magnetic components such as audio equipment, motors, and magnetic therapy devices are classified as magnetic items. As strong magnetic fields can interfere with aviation equipment, such items need to be declared as dangerous goods. Before shipment, the products should be treated with demagnetizers and anti-magnetic shielding materials should be installed to reduce the impact of magnetic fields on transportation equipment and ensure transportation safety.
Vi. Sharp tools
Metal products such as utility knives, kitchenware and mountaineering equipment are classified as weapon accessories by the British customs, and the customs clearance review is very strict. When handling such goods, the product images should avoid showing “aggressive usage scenarios” to prevent misunderstandings by the customs. At the same time, a product usage manual must be attached, detailing the normal usage path of the product to prove that it is not used for illegal purposes.
Vii. Products containing sensitive materials
Products containing sensitive materials such as leather goods (requiring animal quarantine certificates) and wood products (requiring fumigation certificates) also have special requirements during transportation. For leather products, it may be necessary to obtain CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certification in advance to ensure that the source of the leather is legal and compliant. In terms of packaging, it is necessary to avoid using raw wood materials to prevent problems such as carrying pests and diseases.
Viii. Protective equipment
During the epidemic, customs has strengthened the review of medical device qualifications for protective supplies such as masks, protective suits and testing reagents. For the export of such products, CE certification and FDA registration number must be provided to prove that the products comply with relevant quality and safety standards. In addition, the value of a single container of goods should be limited to no more than £135 (the tax-free limit in the UK) to avoid additional taxes or customs clearance issues due to excessively high value.
The benefits of freight forwarders’ shipping
Freight forwarders have significant advantages in handling the transportation of these sensitive goods. Freight forwarders are familiar with all the regulations and procedures of the UK customs and can help sellers prepare complete and accurate customs clearance documents in advance, greatly reducing the risk of goods being detained due to incomplete or incorrect documents. Freight forwarders have established long-term cooperative relationships with numerous logistics channels. They can select the most suitable transportation methods and routes based on the characteristics of the goods and the demands of the sellers. This not only enhances transportation efficiency but also reduces logistics costs to a certain extent. Freight forwarders can also offer value-added services such as warehousing, sorting, and packaging. For instance, they can provide professional leak-proof packaging treatment for liquid products to ensure the safety of goods during transportation.
Recommend reliable freight forwarders to help sellers fulfill their global obligations
Among numerous freight forwarders, Smartdropping performs particularly well. It has a professional team that is well-versed in the transportation requirements of all kinds of sensitive goods and can provide precise guidance and services for sellers. Whether it is electrical products or special packaging for liquids and pastes, they can all be properly handled.
It collaborates with multiple high-quality logistics providers worldwide, offering a wide range of logistics channel options to meet the diverse time and cost requirements of sellers. Moreover, its operation process is simple and convenient, and it can be efficiently integrated with the seller’s business system to achieve rapid transmission and processing of order information. Sellers can entrust their sensitive goods transportation business to professional teams with greater peace of mind, focusing on expanding the market and enhancing their business.
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