Routes to Europe
We drive art and antiques by van from London to Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich and Geneva, and Milan, and bring work back the other way. Each route is planned with its paperwork, not just its roads.
The routes
| Route | Crossing | Customs |
|---|---|---|
| LondonParis | The Channel, by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel, chosen for each job | Going out: UK export, French import. Coming back: EU export, UK import. One border. |
| LondonAmsterdam | The Channel and the road through France and Belgium, or a North Sea ferry to the Netherlands, chosen for each job | Going out: UK export, then EU import, at entry or under transit at destination. Coming back: the reverse. No declarations at internal EU borders. |
| LondonZurich and Geneva | The Channel, then France to the Swiss border | Going out: UK export, EU transit, Swiss import. Coming back: the reverse. Two borders. |
| LondonMilan | The Channel, then France and the Alps, staying in the EU or passing through Switzerland | Going out: UK export, EU import. Coming back: EU export, UK import. Transit too if the route crosses Switzerland. |
What a cross-border job involves
Since the UK left the EU, goods leaving Great Britain for an EU country are exported from the UK and imported into the EU. Both sides normally need a declaration. Depending on the arrangements, goods entering the EU are cleared at the point of entry or move under customs transit to be cleared elsewhere, often near the destination, and a business usually needs an EORI number. Customs paperwork is handled as part of the job, and if you already use a customs agent or freight forwarder, we work with them.
Art and antiques can need more. Some works need a UK export licence from Arts Council England before they leave, and some cultural goods now need an EU import licence or importer statement on arrival. Items containing ivory, tortoiseshell or other protected materials may need CITES permits in both countries.
Why Switzerland has more steps
Switzerland is outside the EU. A consignment to Zurich or Geneva crosses France in transit and is then imported into Switzerland, so it has more steps than a run to Paris. See London to Zurich and Geneva.
A destination not listed here
Send the origin and destination, what the items are, and what you already have in place for customs. We will say whether we can do it, and what the paperwork involves, before anything is booked.
Sending items to Europe after Brexit
Official sources
Rules change. Check the official guidance for your own consignment; we will talk it through with you.
- GOV.UK: Export goods from the UK, step by step
- GOV.UK: Get an EORI number
- GOV.UK: Exporting or importing objects of cultural interest
- GOV.UK: Check if you need a CITES permit to import or export endangered species
- GOV.UK: Check if you can use transit to move goods to the EU and Common Transit Convention countries
Ready to book?
Tell us what it is, where it is, and which country it is going to. Or get a quote online.