We reguarly ship vehicles by either roll on/roll off or by container services to over 5000+ destinations worldwide, we have copious amounts of knowledge and experience to answer any of your questions. Even if we don’t know the answer we can refer you to someone that can advise you correctly.

First and foremost you will need to get a quotation from us, our quotation will be valid for 30 days from the date of sending. Just advise what vehicle you have to be shipped and where you would like it to go. We will send you a written quotation in a pdf format, this is easily accessible on any pc. Our quotation will advise the following information as standard; 1: Where your vehicle will be sailing from. 2: The port that it will be sailing to. 3: The ocean or airfreight rate (port to port). 4: The charge for UK customs clearance. (We are offering FREE UK Customs Clearance on all shipments in June/July & August). 5: The total charge (All UK charges up to arrival port at destination). 6: Transit time (this will provide you with an estimated time of delivery up to arrival port). 7: How frequent the sailings are from the UK (eg. weekly, fortnightly or monthly).

The quotation also provides information regarding the basic information that you need to be aware of in order to ship your vehicle without delay. (We advise that you read through this information, please feel free to ask any questions if you do not understand anything).

Once you have decided your date for shipping you will then be required to complete our online booking form (CLICK HERE). This will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Once you click ‘Send’ a member of our team will contact you via email to confirm that your booking form has been received.

You will then be asked to send the following documentation to us such as a copy of the V5C (log book), MOT certificate (only if we are collecting your vehicle) and a copy of the photopage of your passport. If the vehicle that you are shipping is not in your name then you will also need to send a copy of the Bill of Sale (invoice). This will show the value of the vehicle and that you have now bought and now own the vehicle. The information that you send will help us to prepare the documentation that supports your shipment out of the country such as the customs clearance in the UK.

An invoice will be sent to you on return of your booking, this will advise different payment methods. Once payment has been received in full we will then send to you a copy of the shipping note and the delivery instructions for taking your vehicle to the port.

You will deliver your vehicle as per your instructions where your vehicle will sit in a secured compound at the port ready for loading on the vessel or to be loaded in to a container. Approximately one to two weeks after your vessel has set sail you will receive either an original bill of lading (transit document) or a copy. Please ask for further details on this.

Once your vehicle has arrived at your chosen destination you will be advised by the clearing agent of any charges that may be due, you will pay them direct. Please take photographic identification with you when collecting your vehicle at its destination. The vehicle is now yours to collect.

It is advisable to seek advice from your countries ‘customs website’ before shipping to avoid any delays, every country operates different import laws. Forewarned is forearmed.

Call today for a fee no obligation quotation. Tel: +44(0)844 272 6731 (local rate) or visit: http://www.firstbasefreight.co.uk

I keep believing that things will get better because if I didn’t I’d feel like jumping off the nearest cliff, we all must remain positive and help one and other out. These hard times should unite us as we realise that we’re all the same, each having there own struggles. Together through positive thoughts and a lot of beans on toast should see us through… Keep smiling and learn to grow your own veg!

If not move abroad and use FirstBase Freight to help ship your car and household goods abroad! You never know you might find easier times and maybe even a job!

For example sailings from Southampton to either Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Fremantle sail every 2 weeks and can take anything up to 39-42 days depending on the port of arrival. We advise people delivering their own vehicles to the port to deliver at least a couple of days before the vessel is due to close.

Roll on/Roll off vessels have become increasingly more secure and favoured by many individuals looking for a cost effective way to ship their vehicles overseas.

Professional car handlers drive or tow the vehicles on or off the vessel. Private individuals are not allowed on or near the vessel for security reasons so will only be allowed to deliver their vehicle to the berth.

When deciding if you should take your vehicle to the port or simply have your vehicle collected by a Fully insured plate driver or on a transporter, simply check the distance and weigh up the costs of delivering the vehicle to the port yourself as you will need to make arrangements to get back home. There are train stations near to most ports, so you will need to price tickets before hand. On average the cost to have your vehicle collected by a plate driver is approximately 0.90p per mile (you will need to make sure that there is enough fuel in the tank before it is collected or further charges for refuelling will be incurred). Alternatively you may prefer to have your vehicle collected on a Transporter, this will cost on average £1.20 per mile.

For further information on Roll on/Roll off shipping or simply obtain a free no obligation quotation, please call Tel: 0844 272 6731 (local rate)

Our Agents in Durban are truly professional and very fair on price, they will arrange to have your vehicle customs cleared in Durban and arrange all documentation for you that will be necessary for transit through to Zimbabwe. You can nominate them to be your clearing agent in Durban or you can choose your own. The choice is purely yours. Typical charges in Durban for saloon vehicles going to Harare is as follows:

Transport @ R 7584 (to Harare)
Fuel Levy for the month is variabe (currently at 0% in February 2011)
Durban Clearing Charges:-
Landing charges Up to 4.8m Long @ R 1 140-00
Wharfage @ R 2810-00
T896 @ R 100-00 (This is the Harbour Release Inspection Fee)
Ships Agent release fee @ R 250-00
S.A. Road Bond @ R 950-00
S.A. Documentation @ R 500-00

All that we require from you is as follows:-
Copy of photo page of passport
Copy of sales invoice (bill of sale)
copy of the V5 (log book)
If we are collecting, we require a copy of a valid MOT certificate.

Transit to Durban is approximately 19 Days
Transport to Harare is approximately 5-7 days

If you’re looking to ship a truck we will need to have the dimensions (length x width x height & approx weight) in order for us to provide you with a valid quotation.

Please call today for a free no obligation quotation, Tel: 0844 272 6731 (local rate) or email: info@firstbasefreight.com

1A. INΤRODUCTION
1. Legal basis
Community legislation: Regulation (EEC) 918/83
Directive 83/183 (EEC)
National legislation: The Excise Duties (Tax Exemptions Applicable to Imports from a Member-State of the Personal Property of Individuals)
Regulations of 2004, no.376/04
The Customs Duties (Customs Reliefs) Regulations of 2004, no.377/04
The Customs and Excise Duties (Reliefs on Import of Goods) Regulations of 2004, no.380/04

2. In general
(i) Normal residence means the place where a person usually lives, that is for at least 185 days in each calendar year, because of personal and occupational ties. In the case of a person with no occupational ties, normal residence means the place of personal ties which show close links between that person and the place where he is living. The normal residence of a person whose occupational ties are in a different place from his personal ties shall be regarded as being the place of his personal ties, provided that such person returns there regularly. Attendance at a university or school shall not imply that this person has his normal residence in this country.
(ii) Personal property means property for the personal use of the persons concerned or the needs of their household. Such property must not, by reason of its nature or quantity, reflect any commercial interest. The following, in particular, shall constitute ‘personal property’:
(a) household effects, i.e. personal effects, household linen, furnishings and equipment intended for the personal use of the persons concerned or for meeting their household needs;
(b) cycles and motorcycles, private motor vehicles and their trailers, camping caravans, pleasure craft and private aeroplanes.
(c) household provisions appropriate to normal family requirements, household pets and saddle animals;
(d) the portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts, required by the person concerned for the pursuit of his trade or profession.
B. TRANSFER OF NORMAL RESIDENCE Exemption from excise duties is granted for personal property, including a vehicle, imported permanently from another member state by private individuals transferring their normal residence in the Republic. Exemption is granted for one vehicle only per person, who must be holder of a valid driving licence.

2(i) Prerequisites in respect of the vehicle
− Possession and use of the vehicle by the person concerned at his former normal place of residence for a minimum of six months before the date of transfer of his normal residence in the Republic.
− Acquisition of the vehicle under the general conditions of taxation in force in the member state from which it is transferred and which is not the subject, on the grounds of exportation, of any exemption or any refund of import or excise duty or VAT.
− The vehicle must be transferred to the Republic not later than 12 months from the date of transfer of the normal residence.
(ii) Restrictions
The vehicle may not be sold, disposed of, hired out, lent, or transferred without the prior approval of the Director of Customs.
(iii) Proof of normal residence
The person concerned must prove that he had his normal place of residence outside the Republic for a continuous period of 12 months from the date of transfer of his normal residence. He must also give proof of his intention to settle permanently in the Republic.
Such proof may be:
(a) contracts of sale or rent of their residence abroad;
(b) particulars of employment abroad (tax returns, social insurance records, payroll slips etc.)
(c) certificates of children’s attendance at schools abroad;
(d) particulars of employment in Cyprus;
(e) particulars of acquisition of residence in the Republic (contract of sale or rent);
(f) utility bills, e.g. telephone/electricity/ water supply bills;
(g) other documents.
(iv) Proof for the vehicle
Such proof may be:
(a) motor vehicle registration document;
(b) certificate of insurance;
(c) sales invoice/receipt of purchase;
(d) particulars of the vehicle’s arrival (Bill of lading/Delivery order/Freight receipt/Sailing ticket);
(e) other evidence.
C. DOCUMENTS TO BE COMPLETED
Form Απ. 1 is used for applying for relief from excise duties in case of transfer of normal residence from another European Union member-state. This form can be obtained from any Customs Station or from our Customs website.(Once in the default page, select Customs and then Service Desk/Forms/Reliefs/Απ. 1-Transfer of normal residence from a member state of the EU).
3 After completing your form, present it to any Customs Station together with any proof to support your claim for relief. You may have to answer to some questions to clarify your application. If the form is completed correctly and the proof you have produced is
satisfactory, you will receive an answer in writing.
D. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information, you may apply to Nicosia Customs at the following address:
1, Andrea Karyou, Engomi
1300, Nicosia
E-mail address: nicosia@customs.mof.gov.cy.
For oral inquiries you may call telephone numbers 22407521, 22407530 or 2240753

For further information please contact Nikki, nikki@firstbasefreight.com or visit our website http://www.firstbasefreight.co.uk/customs-duties-advice.php