Countries · GB
United Kingdom: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 175 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to United Kingdom.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for United Kingdom in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in United Kingdom may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
175 entries on the official lists name United Kingdom — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 118 | 118 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 22 | 22 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 19 | 19 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 14 | 14 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming United Kingdom recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
United Kingdom: logistics and trade
Large consumer/import market and global sea/air freight hub
The United Kingdom (GB) has been a separate customs territory since Brexit and is at the same time a large consumer and import market and a global sea and air freight hub linking Europe, North America and Asia. It sits outside the EU customs union; imports and exports run through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS), while EU trade is governed by the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Import VAT is 20 percent. The main container ports are Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton, while air cargo is led by Heathrow (LHR) and East Midlands (EMA). Key corridors are the English Channel with Dover and the Eurotunnel, the Felixstowe-Midlands axis and the M25/M1/M6 motorway network. Typical freight includes vehicles and parts, machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics and consumer goods; main trading partners are the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, China and Ireland.
- Capital
- London
- Population
- 69,281,400
- Area
- 242,495 km²
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP)
- Continent
- Europe
- Region
- Western Europe / UK
- Economic area
- Own customs territory (post-Brexit) / UK-EU TCA / CPTPP
- Religions
- Anglicanism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail
- Current situation
- UK Single Trade Window and BTOM 2026 further rolled out, SPS controls on EU imports fully in force. London Gateway is growing strongly (over 3 million TEU in 2025), approaching Felixstowe; CDS fully for imports/exports; CPTPP since 15.12.2024. (As of 2026-07-18)
- Seasonal conditions
- Autumn and winter storms as well as fog can disrupt sea and air freight at short notice; year-round temperate maritime climate, no pronounced extreme season.
Main seaports
- Felixstowe
Felixstowe (GB FXT): the UK's largest container port, 4M+ TEU a year, about 48% of Britain's box trade, nine deep-water berths and the top UK rail link.
- London
Port of London (GB LON): London Gateway (DP World) topped 3M TEU in 2025 (+52%), expanding to 6 berths. Tilbury, HMRC customs. Alternatives: Felixstowe, Southampton.
- Southampton
Southampton (GB SOU): UK's top vehicle port, DP World box terminal passed 2M TEU in 2025, reefer gateway, RoRo, rail-served hinterland.
- Grimsby
Grimsby (GB GSY): one of the UK's top automotive ports on the Humber, 500,000+ vehicles a year by RoRo (ABP). For bulk, see Immingham.
- Immingham
Immingham (GB IMM) is the UK's largest port by tonnage: oil, biomass, coal and RoRo. For containers use Felixstowe, Hull or Teesport.
- Liverpool
Liverpool (GB LIV): Liverpool2 deep-water terminal (Peel Ports) takes ships to 13,500 TEU; port near 1m TEU in 2025. West-coast gateway, CDS customs.
Main cargo airports
- London Heathrow AirportLHR
London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) handled about 1.55m tonnes in 2025, mostly belly cargo. Handling, post-Brexit customs, road feeder service, freighter alternatives.
- East Midlands AirportEMA
East Midlands Airport (EMA/EGNX): 413,664 t cargo in 2025/26, main UK hubs for DHL, UPS, FedEx and Royal Mail, 24-hour operations with no night curfew.
- London Stansted AirportSTN
London Stansted (STN/EGSS): over 250,000 tonnes a year, FedEx UK base and a true freighter airport. Carriers, customs, M11 access and alternatives.
- Manchester AirportMAN
Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC): the UK's third-busiest cargo airport, 63,000+ tonnes a year at the World Freight Terminal, freighter and belly cargo, customs clearance.
Road corridors
- Motorway network M25/M1/M6
- Dover Channel route (M20/A2)
- Eurotunnel (Folkestone-Calais)
Rail corridors
- Channel Tunnel / HS1 Rail Freight
- Felixstowe-Midlands corridor
- West Coast / East Coast Main Line
Main trade lanes
- UK-EU (Channel / short-sea)
- UK-China
- UK-USA
- UK-Asia (deep sea)
Customs and import
Customs authority HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border ForceOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Customs Declaration Service (CDS) of HMRC (replaced CHIEF, imports fully since 2022). EORI with GB prefix required; tariff classification via UK Integrated Online Tariff.
- Export customs system
- Export declarations also via CDS (export since June 2024 instead of CHIEF). GB EORI required; outbound goods control by Border Force.
- Import VAT
- Import VAT 20 percent (standard), reduced 5 percent, zero percent for certain goods. Basis: customs value plus duty. Postponed VAT Accounting possible.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- UK-EU TCA (Statement on Origin), UK-Switzerland agreement (EUR.1/origin declaration, EUR-MED for CH replaced), CPTPP since 15.12.2024 as well as numerous continuity FTAs.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Licensed/prohibited goods incl. weapons, fireworks, certain foods/plants/animals (SPS), medicines and cultural property; controlled by Border Force and specialist authorities.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport document (B/L, AWB, CMR)
- Import declaration (CDS)
- EORI number (GB)
- if applicable, proof of origin
- if applicable, import licences / SPS certificates
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (CDS)
- EORI number (GB)
- Transport document (B/L, AWB, CMR)
- if applicable, proof of origin (EUR.1 / origin declaration)
- if applicable, export licence
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- High
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Very high
- E-commerce relevance
- Very high
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Vehicles
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Crude oil
Top export goods
- Vehicles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Machinery
- Petroleum products
- Aircraft
Typical cargo
- Vehicles and parts
- Machinery
- Pharmaceuticals
- Electronics
- Consumer goods
- Energy / crude oil
Upcoming public holidays
- St Andrew's Day (Scotland only)Mon, 30 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
- Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- Boxing DaySat, 26 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- 2 January (Scotland only)Sat, 2 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland only)Wed, 17 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Good FridayFri, 26 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Easter Monday (not Scotland)Mon, 29 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Study: Electric trucks could require around 100 TWh of charging power by 20352 Nov 2026
Europe's electric trucks could require around 100 TWh of charging power by 2035. The study shows why operators should plan their grid connection early.
- Tesla Semi for Europe: Demonstration Underway, Deliveries Planned for 202731 Oct 2026
Tesla plans European semi-truck deliveries from 2027. For fleet operators, operational testing, charging infrastructure, and confirmed delivery dates remain critical factors.
- London Gateway Receives New 2,000-Tonne Cranes for Berth 58 Oct 2026
DP World expands London Gateway. Two new mega container cranes are destined for the fully electric Berth 5, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2027.
- EU Pushes UK to Impose Higher Tariffs on Chinese Automobiles3 Oct 2026
The EU fears circumvention via the United Kingdom. Higher British tariffs are under discussion, but not yet decided.
- Gemini Sends Four Additional Services Through Suez Canal3 Oct 2026
Four Gemini services return to Suez. Shippers benefit from shorter transit times, but must continue planning for diversions.
Logistics questions
Which customs system does the United Kingdom use for imports and exports?
Since Brexit, customs declarations have been handled through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS); it replaced the old CHIEF system (imports since 2022, exports since June 2024). Importers and exporters need an EORI number with a GB prefix.
What is the import VAT rate in the UK?
The standard rate of import VAT is 20 percent, calculated on customs value plus duty. Certain goods are subject to 5 percent or zero percent. Registered businesses can use Postponed VAT Accounting and offset import VAT in their VAT return.
Is there a free trade agreement between Switzerland and the UK?
Yes. The UK-Switzerland trade agreement has been in force since 1 January 2021 and secures preferential tariffs. The proof of origin is the movement certificate EUR.1 or an origin declaration; the former EUR-MED certificate is no longer used for trade with CH.
Which tariffs apply to goods without a preferential agreement?
For imports from countries without a trade agreement, the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) applies. The specific rates can be looked up by commodity code via the UK Integrated Online Tariff (trade-tariff.service.gov.uk).
Which ports and airports are most important for freight?
The main container ports are Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton; Immingham/Grimsby is the largest port by tonnage. For air freight, Heathrow (largest freight volume) and East Midlands (largest pure cargo airport, DHL/UPS hub) lead.
What should be considered in trade with the EU after Brexit?
Trade takes place under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) free of duties and quotas, provided the rules of origin are met (Statement on Origin). However, full customs formalities and border controls (BTOM) introduced step by step apply to certain goods.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 18 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.