Can bonded and cleared stock share a UK warehouse?
Yes, within approved co-storage arrangements, provided customs status stays identifiable physically and in the records. The same SKU does not permit interchangeable picking across statuses: that needs equivalence authorisation. Agree labels and picking controls before delivery with Cambridge China Bridge.
Shared space does not mean interchangeable stock
HMRC allows co-storage where there is a proven economic need and customs supervision is not adversely affected. Goods under customs warehousing and cleared goods must remain identifiable at all times. Sharing a warehouse location therefore does not mean pooling indistinguishable cartons under a single product balance.
Ask the warehousekeeper to confirm that its approved arrangements cover your proposed layout. Show them the product, packaging and intended order flow. For the wider import process, use our UK customs clearance guide; this guide addresses what happens when stocks with different customs statuses meet.
Make status visible on the goods and in records
HMRC requires the warehousekeeper to identify the respective goods both physically and in the records. HMRC can require marking or labelling so different customs statuses are readily identifiable. A product code alone does not explain which cartons are under customs warehousing.
As a practical control, give each pallet, carton or traceable batch a status-linked identifier. Ask for a stock report showing product, batch, quantity, location, customs status and the supporting declaration reference. Check that a physical label leads to the same stock entry. Use our customs documents guide for the shipment paperwork behind those references.
Stop picking from the wrong status
HMRC says you cannot use goods of different statuses to complete an order unless authorised to use identical or equivalent goods. Configure order allocation by customs status, rather than letting the picker select whichever matching carton is nearest.
Ask the warehouse to demonstrate a cleared-stock order when cleared stock is unavailable but duty-suspended stock remains. The recommended response is a blocked allocation and an escalation to the person controlling release. For release to free circulation, HMRC requires clearance confirmation before removal; an acceptance message alone is insufficient.
When equivalence authorisation is needed
If you want to fulfil orders interchangeably from equivalent stock with different statuses, request equivalence in the special procedure application, or apply to amend an existing authorisation. Under authorised common stocking, physical differentiation is not needed, but records should still show customs-warehoused and free-circulation goods.
A shared SKU is not an approval. Give the warehousekeeper and broker a comparison of classification, commercial quality and technical characteristics. If your proposed system loses the ability to identify individual goods' status, ask HMRC about common storage before pooling them. HMRC treats that as an arrangement requiring authorisation.
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Agree the handover before China stock arrives
Ask for a written storage and picking plan covering labels, status changes, release evidence, damaged labels, returns and stock discrepancies. Have the warehouse demonstrate the plan using your actual carton markings. Agree who can change a status and who checks the evidence before that change.
Keep the supplier-side and warehouse-side tasks explicit. Cambridge China Bridge's staff in China can help coordinate factory batch and carton markings for the handover. Ask the warehousekeeper and broker to confirm the customs arrangements; our guide to sourcing agents, forwarders and customs brokers explains the roles.
Frequently asked questions
Can bonded and cleared stock use the same warehouse bin?
Potentially, under approved co-storage, if status remains identifiable physically and in records. Ask the warehousekeeper to confirm the proposed bin layout and controls.
Does the same SKU let us pick either stock?
No. HMRC requires authorisation to use identical or equivalent goods across customs statuses to complete an order. Matching product codes do not provide that authorisation.
Do separate labelled pallets need equivalence approval?
Co-storage alone does not require interchangeable picking. Keep status identifiable and allocation separate. Request equivalence if you want to substitute stock across statuses.
Can the warehouse dispatch after declaration acceptance?
For release to free circulation, acceptance alone is insufficient. HMRC says not to remove the goods until the further message confirming clearance has arrived.