Customs Glossary

What is Temporary admission?

A plain-English definition for UK importers and exporters.

Temporary admission is a customs procedure that lets you import goods temporarily with relief from import duty and VAT, on condition they are re-exported unchanged within a set period.

What is temporary admission?

Temporary Admission (TA) suspends duty and import VAT on goods brought in for a specific temporary purpose — exhibitions, samples, professional equipment, testing — provided they leave again.

Who uses temporary admission?

Businesses moving goods in and out for events, demonstrations or repair, who don't want to pay duty on items that won't stay in the country.

How it relates to classification

You still declare the correct commodity code under TA; the code confirms eligibility and the duty that would otherwise apply.

← Back to the Customs Glossary

Need the exact code, not just a definition? Classify your products with TTVerified — expert-backed and audit-ready.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Usually up to 24 months, depending on the goods and use.

An international document that simplifies temporary admission for certain goods, acting as a customs 'passport'.