Guidance

Claim repayment or remission of charges on rejected imports

Find out how to claim repayment or remission of customs charges paid on rejected imports using form C&E1179 and C&E1179CDS.

Who can claim

You can claim for a repayment or remission of customs charges on goods you have been charged import duties on (including import VAT) at the UK border which:

  • do not meet the conditions of their contract
  • are defective
  • are damaged before customs clearance

You cannot make a repayment or remission of customs charges claim for goods you have bought when VAT has been charged at the point of sale unless you are a VAT-registered business. If you are not a VAT-registered business the seller or online marketplace you bought the goods from should refund you the VAT.

When to apply

You must submit your claim one year from notification of the debt for rejected imports.

HMRC can extend these time limits if there are exceptional circumstances (for example, a fire or flood has destroyed your records).

Contact HMRC to ask for a time limit extension.

What you’ll need

You must attach any supporting documents to the form, such as:

  • a copy of the import invoice
  • documentary proof of entitlement
  • a calculation worksheet if you’re claiming a proportion of the charges paid

How to claim

If you use the Customs Declaration Service to import goods, claim with form C&E1179 CDS (PDF, 259KB, 4 pages).

Claim with form C&E1179 (PDF, 234KB, 4 pages) if you use Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) to import goods and want to claim for:

  • import duty
  • Common Agricultural Policy and anti-dumping duty charges
  • VAT and excise duty paid on rejected imports

Send your completed form to HMRC by either:

Email HMRC to ask for these forms in Welsh (Cymraeg).

After you’ve applied

You’ll receive a letter with your National Duty Repayment Centre reference, confirming we have received your application.

You’ll then find out the outcome of your application within 30 working days.

Published 8 July 2020
Last updated 26 May 2021 + show all updates
  1. The 'Who can claim' and 'How to claim' sections of the guide have been updated.

  2. The time limits for submitting a claim have been updated.

  3. First published.