Customs warehouse full: what happens to our goods?
Ask the warehousekeeper and customs broker to confirm capacity and an approved receiving location. HMRC says the warehousekeeper should apply to extend the authorised premises or add a location if capacity is lacking; the depositor should explain unreasonable or unexplained receipt delays. China-side packing information can be coordinated by Cambridge China Bridge.
Check capacity before the warehouse declaration
HMRC says the declarant should check storage availability before declaring goods to a specific customs warehouse. Ask the warehousekeeper for written confirmation covering your shipment, arrival window and unloading slot. Send the carton dimensions, pallet layout and storage needs so that a booking means usable space. For wider provider selection, read choosing a UK warehouse.
Ask the warehousekeeper about approved extra space
If capacity is lacking, HMRC says the warehousekeeper should apply to its supervising office to extend the authorised premises or add another location within its customs warehousing authorisation. Ask whether the proposed overflow address is already covered or still awaiting approval. Before changing delivery instructions, ask the warehousekeeper and broker to confirm the approved destination and how the shipment paperwork will reflect it.
Do not treat dockside as overflow storage
HMRC considers storage outside an approved customs warehouse, including dockside areas, unacceptable. If the goods have already arrived and the nominated warehouse cannot receive them, alert the warehousekeeper and broker immediately. Ask them to resolve the receiving location with the supervising office. Request a written plan identifying where the goods are, who controls collection and who will authorise revised instructions.
Track the receipt deadline and explain delays
Except in exceptional circumstances, HMRC expects arrival at the warehouse within 5 working days of clearance of the declaration to customs warehousing. The same limit applies to goods received from another customs procedure. For unreasonable or unexplained delays between the frontier declaration and warehouse arrival, the depositor should give the supervising office a full explanation. Agree who will send it, with the declaration reference, clearance date, current location, cause and proposed receiving arrangements.
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Close the loop when the warehouse receives the goods
Keep the capacity refusal, correspondence, revised booking and actual receipt together. Ask the warehousekeeper to confirm what arrived and when, then compare the receipt with the packing list and declaration. Warehousekeepers must report declaration-to-receipt discrepancies to their supervising office; once resolved, the entry must be amended. Use our customs document checklist to organise the supporting papers, and record waiting, storage and redelivery charges separately.
Frequently asked questions
Who should check customs warehouse capacity?
HMRC says the declarant should check storage availability before declaring to a specific warehouse. Ask the warehousekeeper to confirm capacity for your actual shipment and arrival window.
Can we use an ordinary warehouse as overflow?
HMRC considers storage outside an approved customs warehouse unacceptable. Ask the warehousekeeper about extending its authorised premises or adding a location through its supervising office.
How long do goods have to reach the customs warehouse?
HMRC normally expects arrival within 5 working days of clearance of the customs warehousing declaration, except in exceptional circumstances. The limit also applies to receipts from another customs procedure.
Who reports a delayed customs warehouse receipt?
The depositor should give the supervising office a full explanation of unreasonable or unexplained delays. Agree who will send the explanation and keep the correspondence with the shipment records.