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In 2004, British retail trade was worth 361 billion euros, a growth of 4.5% as compared to 2003. The distribution market in the U.K. is quite specific: price plays a secondary role when it comes to consumer's choices. The British market offers numerous opportunities, especially in the food sector. The United Kingdom is divided into 4 regions: England (London and Midlands are economically very powerful), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Northern Ireland (Belfast).

Excise duties are also levied on certain products, especially on spirit.

>> To get further information on VAT rates in United Kingdom, please check the (October 2003), as well as the web site.

>> To get further information on Excise duties, please check the (December 2003).

Since the first of January 1993, the European Union, of which United Kingdom is part, has been a single market, without any customs barriers, which ensures free circulation of goods. On May, 1st of 2004, ten "candidate countries" became new members of the European Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Trade within the European Union is totally free from customs duties, provided that the merchandises' country of origin is one of the 25 European Union Member States. Nevertheless, when introducing goods into United Kingdom, exporters shall fill in an intrastat declaration.

When the country of origin of the merchandises which are exported to United Kingdom is not part of the European Union, customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value of the goods, in accordance with the Common Customs Tariff (CCT).

The duties for non-European countries are relatively low, especially for manufactured goods (4.2% on average for the general rate), however textile, clothing items (high duties and quota system) and food-processing industry sectors (average duties of a 17.3% and numerous tariff quotas, PAC) still know protective measures.
In order to get exhaustive regulations and customs tariffs rates regarding their products, exporters shall refer to the code and its , which includes all applicable customs duties and all customs trade policy measures for all the goods.

Moreover, many bilateral and multilateral agreements have been signed by the European Union, in order to define specific customs duties with the following countries:

- Customs agreements with , , , and .

- The EU- (European Free Trade Association) Agreement was signed in 1972 with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

- Free trade agreements with Bulgaria and Romania that hope join European Union in 2007.

- Mediterranean Agreements, concerning: , , , , , , , and .

- The , with 95% of the tariff lines with a 0% rate for developing countries in Africa, Caribbean Islands and Pacific. The, signed in the year 2000, defines the new EU-ACP partnership.

- The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): 54% of the tariff lines are at 0% for developing countries outside the ACP framework.

To get an exhaustive list of the foreign trade agreements of the European Union, click .

>> To get further information on customs policies in the European Union, please check the exhaustive report by the .

In accordance with its membership, United Kingdom applies the European Union (EU) rules that are in force in all European Union countries. While the EU has a rather liberal foreign trade policy, there is a certain number of restrictions, especially on farm products, following the implementation of the (Common Agricultural Policy): the application of compensations on import and export of farm products aimed at favouring the development of agriculture within the EU, implies a certain number of control and regulation systems for the goods entering the EU territory.
Moreover, for sanitary reasons, regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (after being allowed in the European territory), their presence should be systematically specified on packagings. The beef cattle bred on hormones is also forbidden to import.
The BSE crisis (often called the "mad cow disease") urged the European Authorities to strengthen the phytosanitary measures to make sure of the quality of meats entering and circulating in the EU territory. The principle of precaution is now widespread: in case of doubt, the import is prohibited until proof is made of the non-harmfullness of products.

Import regulations and customs duties