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Claim back an import security deposit or guarantee

By No Comments3 Mins Read

Last updated 22 April 2025

You can claim back the security deposit or guarantee for goods you 

  • imported into the UK temporarily
  • moved from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland to use temporarily before moving them back to Great Britain
  • processed or repaired 
  • imported for a specific use

You will need to pay any duties and taxes due before you can claim back a security deposit or guarantee if

  • Temporary Admission or inward processing goods are sold or remain in the UK

  • authorised use goods are put to a use other than their specific use

  • any other conditions of Temporary Admission, inward processing or authorised use are not met

Who can claim

You can make an online claim if you are 

  • an importer
  • a customs agent
  • a freight forwarder or express operator, acting on behalf of the importer
  • a business, importing goods for commercial use

To claim online you’ll need to subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service.

Who cannot claim online 

You will not be able to make an online claim if  

  • you have already received a reminder letter 
  • the Movement Reference Number (MRN) has already been used for another claim 
  • you are a private individual
  • the Temporary Admission, inward processing or authorised use period has ended

Instead, you’ll need to do one of the following for your claim to be reviewed 

When to claim

Temporary Admission

Temporary Admission can be used for up to 24 months (depending on the goods you import). 

You must submit the claim after you’ve discharged the goods, and before the end of the Temporary Admission period.  

Inward processing and authorised use

Inward processing and authorised use can be used for up to 6 months. 

You must submit the claim after you’ve discharged the goods, and no later than 30 days after the end of the inward processing or authorised use period.

What you’ll need

To claim a security deposit or guarantee you’ll need

  • an import Movement Reference Number (MRN) 
  • evidence of discharge (this may be another import MRN or an export MRN) 
  • details on how long the goods were declared to be in the UK at the time of import
  • information on how the goods were used
  • the payee’s bank details  
  • your contact and address details  
  • to know the amount you are claiming

You’ll also need any supporting documents. Files can be up to 9MB each and can include 

  • commercial invoices
  • bill of discharge
  • import or export declarations
  • packing lists
  • substitute or diversion entry
  • other documents that support your claim

How to claim

Make sure you have all your necessary documents and files ready to upload before you start. 

Sign in with the Government Gateway user ID and password that you used to subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service. This ID will be linked to your EORI number.

Online services may be slow during busy times. Check if there are any problems with this service.

Claim now

After you’ve made a claim

You’ll get an email from HMRC confirming your claim reference number.

HMRC may contact you to ask for more information if needed.

You can view the status of your claim by visiting the claims dashboard in the online service.

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