Moving Household Goods from Turkey to the UK: Post-Brexit Customs Rules, ToR1 and Duty-Free Import

For Turkish families relocating to the United Kingdom, the single most important question is how to get the household goods they have used for years into their new home without paying import taxes and without complications. Since Brexit, the UK sits outside the European Union customs territory, which means moving personal effects from Turkey to the UK is now a document-driven process that runs through two separate customs systems: EU transit and UK import. In this guide we draw on 12 years of hands-on experience to explain what the ToR1 is, the conditions for duty-free import, the paperwork you need, the Channel crossing and every step up to delivery in London.

How Brexit Changed Moving to the UK

Before 1 January 2021, a truck entering the UK via Europe crossed the Channel almost as if it were an internal border. Today the picture is different:

• Every consignment entering the UK needs a separate import declaration, lodged through the HMRC system.
• Duty-free entry of household goods now depends on prior ToR1 (Transfer of Residence) approval.
• At the Channel crossing (Calais–Dover, Dunkirk–Dover or Eurotunnel) a vehicle cannot board without a GMR (Goods Movement Reference).
• A vehicle leaving Turkey crosses Europe under a T1 transit declaration, so the goods reach the UK without being released for free circulation in the EU.

These rules sound complex, but for an experienced carrier they are routine. The only thing that truly matters on your side is that the ToR1 application is submitted in time; we prepare all the remaining declarations.

What Is ToR1 and Why Does It Matter So Much?

ToR1 is the "transfer of residence" application made to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Once approved, you receive a URN (Unique Reference Number), and with this number your used household goods enter the UK free of customs duty and VAT. Goods arriving without ToR1 attract the standard import charges (customs duty plus 20% VAT) or are held at the port.

ToR1 Eligibility Conditions

• You are transferring your normal place of residence to the UK (proven with a visa, employment contract, tenancy agreement, school enrolment or similar documents).
• You have lived outside the UK for the last 12 months.
• The goods have been in your possession and use for at least 6 months.
• The goods will not be sold, lent or hired out for 12 months after arrival in the UK.
• The goods are imported no more than 6 months before or 12 months after your arrival in the UK.

How to Apply for ToR1

1. Complete HMRC's online ToR1 form (in English). We can prepare the application on your behalf; all you need to do is send us the documents.
2. Upload your passport, visa/BRP or proof of immigration status, proof of your address in Turkey, proof of your UK address (tenancy agreement, employment contract) and a detailed inventory of your goods.
3. HMRC usually processes the application within 2-4 weeks; if anything is missing, they request additional documents by email.
4. The URN issued with the approval is entered on the import declaration.

Important: submit your ToR1 application at least 4-6 weeks before the loading date. Goods that set off before approval is granted face a slow and costly process at UK customs.

What Can Be Imported Duty-Free?

The goods that enter duty-free under ToR1 are used, personal household effects: furniture, white goods, kitchenware, clothing, books, electronics, bicycles, children's items and even your used private car (which has its own section in the application). You can find more on how personal effects are defined on our complete guide to moving household goods abroad.

Type of goods	Status under ToR1
Used furniture, white goods, textiles	Duty-free
Used electronics (TV, computer)	Duty-free (serial numbers must appear on the inventory)
New, unopened products	Customs duty + VAT
Alcohol, tobacco products	Outside the relief; taxed separately
Commercial quantities of goods	Outside the relief; commercial import
Meat, dairy, fresh food, plants and seeds	Prohibited / subject to licence

Documents You Will Need

• Copy of your passport and UK visa or immigration status document (BRP, eVisa, Settled Status, etc.)
• ToR1 approval letter and URN
• Inventory in Turkish and English (box number, contents, quantity, approximate value)
• Proof of your address in Turkey (residence certificate or utility bill)
• Proof of your UK delivery address (tenancy agreement, employment contract, council tax letter)
• Power of attorney for customs formalities (separate authorisations for Turkish export and UK import)
• Invoices for any new items

The Turkey-to-UK Moving Process, Step by Step

1. Survey and quotation: the volume (m³) is established from your inventory or a video survey; groupage (part-load) or a dedicated vehicle is chosen; a written quotation is issued.
2. ToR1 application: your documents are collected, the application is submitted and approval is awaited.
3. Packing and loading: our team packs, labels and loads your goods to export standard in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep or whichever city you live in.
4. Turkish export customs: the export declaration is closed at Kapıkule or İpsala and a T1 transit is opened for Europe.
5. European transit: the route runs through Bulgaria, Serbia/Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Belgium/France; 4-6 days on average.
6. Channel crossing: the UK import declaration is pre-lodged with your ToR1 URN, a GMR is created and the vehicle crosses to Dover.
7. UK delivery: within 1-2 days in London and the surrounding area, and 2-4 days in cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow; furniture is reassembled and packaging waste removed.

Total transit time averages 7-14 days for groupage and 5-8 days for a dedicated vehicle. We run regular weekly departures on the UK route.

Delivery in London: What You Need to Know

London is one of the most challenging delivery cities in Europe. Sharing the following details at the quotation stage keeps the price accurate and the delivery day trouble-free:

• Postcode: vehicle planning is different for central zones (Congestion Charge and ULEZ areas).
• Parking: trucks cannot park on most streets; a "parking suspension" from the council may be required, and it must be applied for 1-2 weeks in advance.
• Floor and lift: the narrow staircases of Victorian buildings are demanding for large furniture; dismantling and reassembly are planned ahead.
• Delivery hours: some building managements allow moves only during weekday working hours.

Groupage or a Dedicated Vehicle?

For a one- or two-bedroom flat, a few boxes or student belongings, groupage (part-load) is the most economical option: you pay only for the space you occupy and join our weekly departures. For three-bedroom homes and larger, for anyone who needs a fixed delivery date, or for high-value goods, a dedicated (full-load) vehicle offers faster, direct delivery. In both cases your goods are covered by CMR insurance, and full-value cover based on the declared value can be added.

What Determines the Cost?

For household removals from Turkey to the UK, the price is calculated by volume (m³) rather than weight. The main items that shape the quotation:

• Volume: a one-bedroom home is roughly 10-15 m³, a two-bedroom home 18-25 m³ and a three-bedroom home 25-35 m³. Disposing of items you no longer use and vacuum-packing textiles cuts the volume considerably.
• Shipping method: groupage is the most economical; a dedicated vehicle is faster and direct.
• Packing service: professional packing including materials and labour, or packing yourself.
• Loading and delivery conditions: upper floors without a lift, narrow streets, central London parking permits, long carry distances from truck to door.
• Customs services: ToR1 application, export and import declarations, T1 transit guarantee.
• Insurance: standard CMR cover is included; additional cover on declared value is optional.
• Season: summer and the start of the school year (August–September) are peak season; booking early pays off.

Prohibited and Restricted Items for the UK

UK Border Force bans some products outright and restricts others. Check before you pack:

• Prohibited: meat and dairy products (including sucuk, pastırma and cheese), fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, seeds and soil, weapons and ammunition, pepper spray, counterfeit goods.
• Restricted: alcohol and tobacco (outside the relief; taxed), prescription medicines (with a prescription and in personal quantities), packaged dry food (limited quantities), honey (personal-use quantities only).
• Take care with: devices with lithium batteries (e-scooters, drones) need a separate declaration; pianos, antiques and works of art may require extra documentation.

How a Typical Move Unfolds: Worked Example

Consider a family moving from a three-bedroom home in Istanbul to Croydon in south London. Six weeks before loading, the inventory is prepared and the ToR1 application submitted; approval arrives within three weeks. A video survey puts the volume at 28 m³; by thinning out books and off-season clothing the family brings it down to 24 m³. On loading day our crew starts packing in the morning and the vehicle leaves in the afternoon. The export declaration is closed at Kapıkule and Europe is crossed under T1; on day five at Calais, because the UK import declaration has already been lodged with the ToR1 number, the vehicle boards the ferry with its GMR. On day seven the truck pulls up outside the house in Croydon under a pre-arranged parking suspension; the furniture is reassembled and the delivery note signed. Total time: 7 days; tax paid at customs: zero.

Why REG Transport?

• Over 12 years of hands-on experience: thousands of completed shipments for families and businesses on the Turkey–UK and Turkey–Europe routes.
• Our own fleet and warehouses: depots in Istanbul, Gaziantep, London and Frankfurt; regular weekly departures that do not depend on third-party hauliers.
• Licensed customs operation: export declarations in Turkey and import declarations in the destination country are handled by our partner customs brokers; we prepare all documents on your behalf.
• One point of contact: the same account manager from survey to delivery, with updates at loading, border crossing and delivery.
• Transparent quotation: freight, packing, customs, insurance and delivery are itemised separately in writing; no surprise costs.
• Insurance: CMR included; full-value cover on declared value available.

Common Mistakes

• Applying for ToR1 after the goods have already left.
• Preparing a vague inventory such as "household goods – 30 boxes"; HMRC wants an item-by-item list.
• Declaring newly purchased items as used (a cause of penalties and delays).
• Packing alcohol, tobacco or food products in the boxes.
• Choosing a carrier without UK import authorisation or Channel-crossing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship my goods without ToR1?

You can, but you will pay customs duty and 20% VAT on your goods, and for a full household that adds up to a significant sum. We recommend applying for ToR1 as soon as your moving plans are confirmed.

I am a student with a few boxes. Do I need ToR1?

Students travelling on a student visa and staying for more than 12 months can apply for ToR1. Groupage is the right option for a small number of boxes.

Will my goods be opened at the Channel crossing?

There is a possibility of physical inspection. Properly numbered boxes and a detailed inventory speed up any check.

How long does it take to move household goods from Turkey to the UK?

From loading to delivery, 7-14 days on average for groupage and 5-8 days for a dedicated vehicle.

Can I send my car in the same vehicle?

Yes. Your car is declared separately in the ToR1 application and can travel in the same shipment under our vehicle transport service.

Move to the UK with REG Transport

With offices in Istanbul, Gaziantep and London, our own fleet and regular weekly UK departures, we move household goods door to door from every city in Turkey to every address in the UK. We manage the whole process, from the ToR1 application to the parking permit in London. Share your inventory and receive a written, itemised quotation the same day: free quote form. For full service details, see our international household removals page.