General Questions
Gxpresss UK is a freight forwarding and customs clearance company based in Blaydon on Tyne, Northeast England. We provide a full range of logistics services including customs clearance, air freight, sea freight, road freight, warehousing, door-to-door delivery, shunt and devan services, trade documentation, import and export management, and e-commerce logistics. We help businesses of all sizes move goods into and out of the United Kingdom efficiently and in full compliance with HMRC regulations.
Our head office is at Galaxy Business Park, Blaydon on Tyne, NE21 4SQ. We are situated near Newcastle upon Tyne with excellent access to the A1, the Port of Tyne, and Newcastle International Airport. Whilst our base is in the Northeast, we serve clients across the entire United Kingdom, including Scotland, the Midlands, and Southern England.
Our standard opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm, and Saturday, 10am to 5pm. We are closed on Sundays and bank holidays. For urgent shipments requiring out-of-hours support, please contact us during business hours to make arrangements.
Not at all. We work with businesses of all sizes, from sole traders importing their first shipment to large multinational corporations with complex supply chains. Our services are tailored to your specific requirements, and we offer the same level of professional expertise to every client regardless of volume.
Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is the process of declaring goods to HMRC when they enter or leave the United Kingdom. It is a legal requirement for all commercial imports and exports. The process involves submitting a customs declaration, paying any applicable duties and VAT, and ensuring your goods comply with UK regulations. Without proper customs clearance, your goods may be held at the border, resulting in delays, storage charges, and potential fines. Gxpresss handles the entire process on your behalf, ensuring your shipments clear quickly and compliantly.
The documents required depend on the type of goods and their origin, but typically you will need: a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading (for sea freight) or air waybill (for air freight), a certificate of origin (if claiming preferential duty rates), and any product-specific licences or certificates (such as phytosanitary certificates for plant products or REACH compliance for chemicals). Gxpresss will advise you on the exact documentation required for your specific shipment and can assist with preparing any missing documents.
For standard shipments with complete and accurate documentation, customs clearance typically takes between one and three hours. Gxpresss can often achieve same-day clearance for straightforward consignments. However, goods selected for physical inspection by Border Force, or shipments requiring additional licences or certificates, may take one to two business days. We always aim to minimise delays and will keep you informed of progress throughout the clearance process.
An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique identifier required by HMRC for any business involved in importing or exporting goods. You need a UK EORI number beginning with 'GB' to trade goods with any country. If you do not have an EORI number, you can apply for one through the HMRC website, and it is usually issued within five to seven working days. Gxpresss can guide you through the application process if needed.
If your goods are held at customs, it usually means they have been selected for a documentary check or physical inspection by Border Force. This can happen randomly or because of specific risk indicators. Gxpresss will liaise directly with HMRC and Border Force on your behalf to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. We will keep you informed at every stage and advise on any additional documentation or actions required to release your goods.
Freight & Shipping
FCL (Full Container Load) means you hire an entire shipping container for your goods alone. This is typically more cost-effective for larger shipments and offers greater security as your goods are not mixed with other consignments. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share container space with other shippers' cargo. LCL is ideal for smaller shipments that do not fill an entire container, as you only pay for the space you use. Gxpresss can advise on the most cost-effective option for your specific shipment volume.
Sea freight transit times to the UK vary depending on the origin. Typical transit times are: Europe (2 to 7 days), Mediterranean (7 to 14 days), Middle East (14 to 21 days), Indian Subcontinent (18 to 25 days), China and East Asia (25 to 35 days), North America (10 to 14 days), and Australia (35 to 45 days). These are approximate sailing times and do not include customs clearance or onward delivery, which Gxpresss can arrange as part of a complete door-to-door service.
Yes, we have extensive experience handling hazardous goods (DG cargo) in compliance with IMDG, ADR, and IATA regulations. We also arrange temperature-controlled shipments for pharmaceuticals, food and beverage products, and other perishable goods using reefer containers and temperature-monitored vehicles. Our team will ensure all required documentation, labelling, and handling procedures are in place for your specific cargo type.
Pricing & Payments
Customs clearance fees vary depending on the complexity of your shipment, the number of commodity codes involved, and any additional services required (such as duty deferment or transit procedures). We provide transparent, itemised quotations before any work begins so you know exactly what you are paying for. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific requirements.
No. Gxpresss operates a fully transparent pricing policy. All fees are clearly set out in our quotation before work begins. We will always advise you in advance of any potential additional costs, such as port storage charges, inspection fees levied by government agencies, or duty and VAT payments due to HMRC. There are no hidden surcharges or unexpected administration fees.
We accept bank transfer (BACS), company cheque, and credit or debit card payments. For regular clients, we can arrange credit account terms subject to approval. Duty and VAT payments to HMRC are typically handled through our deferment account, which means you do not need to pay these charges upfront at the border. We will discuss the most suitable payment arrangements during your onboarding.
When goods are imported into the United Kingdom, customs duty is charged based on the commodity code (tariff classification) of the goods and their declared value. The duty rate varies depending on the type of goods and their country of origin. Import VAT is then charged at the standard rate (currently 20%) on the total value of the goods plus duty and shipping costs. Businesses registered for VAT can usually reclaim the import VAT on their next VAT return. Gxpresss ensures your goods are correctly classified to apply the correct duty rate, potentially saving you money through legitimate tariff optimisation and any applicable trade agreement preferences.