Customs finance
Financial control
Know what duty and import VAT are likely to cost before you clear, then keep HMRC-confirmed amounts on the same MRN — separate from the estimate — so cash planning and audit review use the right figure.
This is customs finance: duty (A00), import VAT (B00), landed cost, and review of estimate vs HMRC charge. It is not general accounting or trade finance.
The problem
Brokers and importers often hold estimates in one place, HMRC charges in another, and payment context in email or spreadsheets. When a query or reconciliation lands, it is hard to prove what was forecast versus what HMRC assessed on that declaration.
How it works
1. Pre-clearance estimates
On each draft declaration, Freightcode models duty and import VAT from UK Trade Tariff measures (with FX where the invoice is not GBP). You see cash need early — before submit.
2. Financial Records
Duty and VAT lines sit on the MRN as estimated or HMRC-confirmed obligations. Search, export, and print from the ledger — totals show what is still estimate and what HMRC has assessed.
Total duty paid
£240.00
Estimated until HMRC confirms duty and VAT
Import VAT (B00)
£27,698.00
£22,100.00 confirmed by HMRC · £5,598.00 estimated
| Declaration MRN | Date | Tax type | Payment method | Source | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26GB86AMY27INDXAR5 | 25 Jul 2026 | Import VAT (B00) | HMRC assessed | HMRC | £1,100.00 |
| 26GB86AMY27INDXAR5 | 25 Jul 2026 | Import VAT (B00) | Estimated — not on declaration | Estimate | £1,650.00 |
| 26GB7KQ8N41PLMZW2 | 22 Jul 2026 | Import VAT (B00) | HMRC assessed | HMRC | £890.00 |
3. Estimate vs HMRC charge
When DMSTAX and related notifications confirm duty and VAT, those amounts are stored separately from the pre-clearance estimate. Variance checks flag material gaps for review — they do not invent reclaim entitlement.
4. Customs Reports
Per-declaration audit views show invoice value, duty and VAT, and provenance labels — with export and print for review packs.
5. TRE history and duty review
Import HMRC Trade Reporting CSVs to browse past lines and surface indicative preference or duty review opportunities. Hints are for adviser review — Freightcode does not file C285 reclaims.
6. Payment fields on the declaration
Method of payment and deferment account (DAN) sit on the declaration with the rest of the CDS data, so financial context travels with the entry.