Port of
Middlesbrough
Freeport Zone

Port of Middlesbrough is part of the Teesside Freeport, the first and largest Freeport in the UK.

Port of Middlesbrough is part of the Teesside Freeport, the first and largest Freeport in the UK.

Port of middlesbrough - Secondary Customs Zone

The Teesside Freeport, designated by the UK government in November 2021 is the first and largest Freeport in the UK. Port of Middlesbrough, a secondary customs zone, located within the Teesside Freeport, is ideally positioned on the River Tees, North East England. 

Businesses operating within customs zones enjoy a range of tariff benefits, including duty deferral while the goods remain on-site. They can also suspend import VAT on goods entering the customs zone. 

At the Teesside Freeport, imports can enter the customs area without paying tariffs. Businesses operating inside designated areas across the freeport can manufacture goods using the imports and add value, before exporting to a number of international markets, without ever paying the full tariff on the original goods they imported. 

Companies operating within the freeport can apply for duty inversion if the finished goods exiting the freeport attract a lower tariff than the component parts originally imported. 

Companies can also move products from Freeport area to another, event across the country, without attracting a tariff.

In addition, businesses can benefit from using simplified import procedures and streamlined planning processes to reduce administrative burdens.

Example Tax Reliefs

  • Duty deferral while goods remain on site

Goods moved into the Customs area of a Freeport will effectively be suspended from import VAT and Duty, in much the same way as entry to a Customs Warehouse. These will only become payable when goods leave the Freeport into free circulation.

  • Duty inversion

If finished goods produced in a Freeport attract a lower exit tariff than the duty rate applied to their component parts then a drawback may be possible.

  • Customs duty exemption

Goods imported into a Freeport, processed into finished goods and subsequently re-exported will not trigger the requirement to pay VAT or duty.

For more information on Port of Middlesbrough Freeport or to find out how the above benefits may be applicable to your business, please complete our enquiry form at the bottom of this page. 

Further information on Freeports can be found on the Government website here.

Customs Regimes

  • Port of Middlesbrough has multiple customs regimes on its site available to its customers:
  • Temporary wharf storage – Cargo can be kept in our temporary storage area for a maximum period of 90 days before any duty is applicable.                                                                                                          (The short-term storage of goods or cargo on a dock before they are loaded onto or after they are unloaded from ships).
  • Customs bonded warehousing – We have custom bonded warehousing in various locations at Port of Middlesbrough. There is no limit to the length of time that cargo can be kept in a customs bonded area.                                                                                                                                                        (A secure facility where imported goods are stored without paying customs duties or taxes until they are released into the open market, ensuring regulatory compliance).
  • Freeport – Port of Middlesbrough has legally been designated as a secondary customs zone within the Teesside Freeport. There are over 20 freeport sub-zones on site which could individually be enacted as live Freeport zones (Please see mapped areas below). As with customs bonded warehousing there is no limit to how long goods can be held in a freeport zone.                                    (A designated area within a country where goods can be stored, processed, or manufactured with reduced or no customs duties or taxes, promoting trade and economic activity).

Freeport Zone Locations - Port of Middlesbrough

contact us for more information

Call our commercial team today on :

+44 (0)1642 219271 or complete our contact form.

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WE ALSO HAVE AN ONSITE SHIPPING AGENCY?

CONTACT US

The Staiths, Port of Middlesbrough, Depot Road, Middlesbrough TS2 1LE

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