gov.uk\/transfer-residence-to-uk<\/a>).<\/p>\nToR1 grants relief from UK customs duty and import VAT on used personal goods<\/strong> provided you meet all of:<\/p>\n\n- You’re moving your normal place of residence to the UK<\/li>\n
- You’ve lived outside the UK continuously for at least 12 months<\/li>\n
- You’ve owned and used each item for at least 6 months before import<\/li>\n
- You commit not to sell, lend or hire out the goods for 12 months<\/li>\n
- Goods are imported within 12 months of your UK arrival<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You apply online at gov.uk before shipment. HMRC issues a Unique Reference Number (URN) \u2014 typically within 3\u201310 working days, occasionally up to 14. Flyto’s customs team submits the URN to the UK port of entry, so the truck clears without unloading at Folkestone.<\/p>\n
Items that don’t qualify: anything bought in the 6 months before the move, items still under finance, alcohol\/tobacco over personal allowance, and vehicles unless declared separately.<\/p>\n
Seasonal pricing \u2014 when to book<\/h2>\n
UK schools change academic year in late August\/early September, driving peak relocation demand at that time. June\u2013August adds 15\u201325% (source: comparemymove.com). Cheapest months are November, January and February. May and October are good shoulder windows.<\/p>\n
DIY container vs full-service comparison<\/h2>\n\n- DIY van + self-clearance:<\/strong> \u20ac1,400\u2013\u20ac1,900 for a 20 m\u00b3 one-way van, Eurotunnel for van class (\u20ac180\u2013\u20ac250), plus your time on ToR1 paperwork. Real risk of border delay or rejected items. Realistic spend: \u20ac1,700\u2013\u20ac2,200 plus 30+ hours of your time.<\/li>\n
- Full-service Flyto:<\/strong> From \u20ac1,700 Silver including crossing, customs and delivery. Premium over DIY is often under \u20ac200 \u2014 a sensible insurance against ToR1 problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hidden costs to budget for<\/h2>\n\n- French p\u00e9ages to Calais:<\/strong> Paris\u2013Calais ~\u20ac30 (in Flyto’s quote).<\/li>\n
- ULEZ + Congestion Charge in London:<\/strong> \u00a312.50 + \u00a315\/day for any non-compliant truck entering central London zones.<\/li>\n
- French exit cleaning:<\/strong> \u20ac200\u2013\u20ac400 for landlord deposit.<\/li>\n
- HMRC ToR1:<\/strong> No fee \u2014 only Flyto’s customs handling charge.<\/li>\n
- UK utilities setup:<\/strong> \u00a330\u2013\u00a3100 (typically free with major suppliers).<\/li>\n
- UK Council Tax:<\/strong> Begins from move-in date \u2014 \u00a3130\u2013\u00a3300\/month varies by band.<\/li>\n
- Vehicle import:<\/strong> Separate from ToR1. Use NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) within 14 days; VAT\/duty relief possible under ToR if vehicle qualifies. Plus DVLA registration \u00a355, MOT cost, UK insurance, and possibly modifications for right-hand-side driving compliance.<\/li>\n
- Optional cargo insurance:<\/strong> 1\u20132% of declared value, from \u20ac200.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Step-by-step timeline<\/h2>\n\n- 12 weeks before:<\/strong> Request Flyto quote. Apply for UK visa if non-EU citizen (Skilled Worker, Family, etc.). Start UK housing search on Rightmove\/Zoopla.<\/li>\n
- 10 weeks before:<\/strong> Confirm UK address. Apply for HMRC ToR1 online \u2014 needs detailed inventory, evidence of UK residence (job contract, rental, university place).<\/li>\n
- 8 weeks before:<\/strong> Give French landlord 3-month preavis. Notify S\u00e9curit\u00e9 sociale, EDF, internet.<\/li>\n
- 6 weeks before:<\/strong> ToR1 typically approved (3\u201310 days). Flyto receives URN.<\/li>\n
- 4 weeks before:<\/strong> Open UK bank account (Monzo, Starling accept remote setup; HSBC\/Lloyds need in-person).<\/li>\n
- 2 weeks before:<\/strong> Pack (Silver\/Gold). Cancel French utilities for day after pickup.<\/li>\n
- 1 week before:<\/strong> Confirm Eurotunnel slot via Flyto. Reserve UK parking and any London ULEZ permits.<\/li>\n
- Moving day:<\/strong> Crew loads (3\u20136h). Truck departs for Calais.<\/li>\n
- Same day:<\/strong> 35-min Eurotunnel crossing; truck enters UK with pre-cleared ToR1.<\/li>\n
- Day 1\u20132:<\/strong> Delivery and unloading at UK address. Platinum: unpack and assemble.<\/li>\n
- Within 5 days:<\/strong> Register with GP (NHS). Apply for NI number if not yet held.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
\n
FAQ<\/h3>\n\nWill I pay UK customs duty or VAT on my belongings?<\/summary>\nNo \u2014 provided you qualify for the ToR1 relief: you’re moving normal residence to the UK, you’ve lived outside the UK 12+ months, you’ve owned and used each item 6+ months, and you won’t sell within 12 months. ToR1 must be approved before shipment (source: gov.uk).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nHow much does Paris to London cost?<\/summary>\nFor a typical 30 m\u00b3 apartment: \u20ac1,700 Silver, \u20ac3,950 Gold, \u20ac6,100 Platinum \u2014 all including Eurotunnel and HMRC customs handling.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nHow long does ToR1 take to approve?<\/summary>\n3 to 10 working days typically; occasionally up to 14 in busy periods. Apply at least 6 weeks before your move to have margin for any HMRC follow-up questions.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nCan I bring my car?<\/summary>\nYes, but it’s a separate process from ToR1. You’ll register the vehicle via NOVA within 14 days of arrival, then register with DVLA. UK only allows right-hand-drive cars long-term in most cases \u2014 French left-hand-drive vehicles will need headlight modification and may not pass MOT efficiently.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nHow long is the crossing?<\/summary>\nEurotunnel: 35 minutes Calais\u2013Folkestone. Ferry: 90 minutes Calais\u2013Dover. Plus 30\u201360 minutes border check-in. Flyto schedules slots to minimise wait.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nWhat about pets?<\/summary>\nPets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a French vet within 10 days of travel, microchip, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. They travel with you, not in the moving truck.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nDo I need to be in the UK when the goods arrive?<\/summary>\nStrongly recommended. You \u2014 or an authorised representative \u2014 must sign for delivery and confirm condition. If your flight arrives a day after the truck, Flyto can store goods at our UK depot at \u20ac100\u2013\u20ac140\/m\u00b3\/month.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\nWhat’s the cheapest month to move?<\/summary>\nNovember, January, February \u2014 15\u201320% below summer peak. Avoid late August\/early September when UK student moves spike demand.<\/p>\n<\/details><\/div>\n
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