Inventory Linked

What does inventory-linked mean?

Inventory-linked ports and airports in the United Kingdom connect directly to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) systems. That link lets them handle the presentation, arrival, and departure of goods on HMRC's behalf.

How does inventory linking work?

At an inventory-linked location, the port or airport operator's inventory system exchanges messages with customs systems. When goods arrive, the operator records them and the system matches them to the customs declaration, so customs can release the goods electronically without paper documents at the border.

For importers, an inventory-linked port can mean faster clearance, because declaration and arrival data match automatically. Ask your customs broker or freight forwarder whether a given port or airport is inventory-linked before you book, since the arrangement affects how the declaration gets filed.

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