So, your boss just told you to get a shipment to Ireland… and you’ve never done it before.
First of all: Take a breath. Post-Brexit shipping sounds like a nightmare of “red tape” and “hidden costs,” but it’s actually just a checklist. Last week, we spoke to a customer who paid nearly £4,620 for a simple run from Scotland to Ireland just because she didn’t have the right info.
At Heavy Weight Group, we hate seeing people overpay. Whether you’re using our Nottingham National Hub our depots in Glasgow, Oban, or Inverness, this guide is written for you. The person who actually has to get the job done.
1. The Three “Golden Keys” (What you need before you call us)
Before you even book a van, you need these three things. If you have these, 90% of the “scary” stuff is solved.
A. Your EORI Number
Think of this as your “Business Passport” for shipping.
- What it is: A 12-digit number starting with “GB”.
- How to get it: It’s FREE on the Gov.uk website and usually takes 5 minutes.
- The Catch: You cannot ship commercially without one. If your boss hasn’t got one, tell them to get it now.
B. The Commodity Code (HS Code)
Every item in the world has a “Customs Nickname” (a 10-digit number).
- Why it matters: It tells Customs exactly what is in the box so they know how much tax to charge.
- How to find it: Use the Gov.uk Trade Tariff tool. If you’re shipping “Steel Bolts,” don’t just say “Metal parts”—find the specific code.
C. The Commercial Invoice
This is NOT a standard receipt. It’s a document that tells the border guards:
- What it is.
- How much it’s worth (Never put £0 value, even for samples!).
- Where it was made (Country of Origin).
- Who is paying the tax (The Incoterms)?
2. The “Ireland Trap”: Why it costs some people £4000 (and how to avoid it)
The Republic of Ireland is in the EU; Scotland and England are not. This means there is a “Hard Border” in the middle of the Irish Sea.
The Mistake: Many companies just “book a courier” and hope for the best. The goods get stuck at the port, storage fees rack up, and suddenly a £500 delivery becomes a £4,000 disaster.
The Heavy Weight Solution: We use our Glasgow Hub as a springboard. We check your paperwork before the driver even starts the engine. We ensure you have an MRN (Movement Reference Number)—basically your “Permission to Board” the ferry.
3. Our Hubs: How we make it easy for you
We’ve built our network so you don’t have to worry about the “where.” You just tell us “what” and “when.”
- Nottingham (11,500 sq. ft.): Your central point. If your goods are in England or Wales, they are brought here first for inspection and clearance.
- Glasgow & Inverness: Our Scottish strongholds. We know the routes to the Highlands and the Islands better than anyone.
- Oban: Our specialist “Aquaculture & Spirits” link. Shipping whiskey or salmon? This is where our expertise saves you money.
4. Jargon Buster: Speaking “Logistics”
If a driver or a customs agent says these words to you, here is what they actually mean:
| Incoterms | A fancy way of asking “Who is paying the import tax—you or the customer?” |
| DAP | You pay for the van; the customer pays the tax at the other end. (Easiest for you). |
| DDP | You pay for everything, including the tax. (Best for the customer). |
| MRN | The barcode that lets the van through the border. No MRN = No delivery. |
| Palletised | Is it on a wooden base? If it’s over 30kg, put it on a pallet to save your back and our drivers’. |
5. A Message to the “Stressed Staff Member”
If your boss is breathing down your neck to “just get it moved,” tell them this:
“I’ve spoken to Heavy Weight Couriers. They have 11,500 sq. ft. of space in Nottingham and their own hubs in Scotland. They are going to help us with the EORI and the Commodity Codes so we don’t get hit with a £4,000 bill.”
Logistics isn’t about moving boxes; it’s about moving information. If the info is right, the box moves for a fraction of the price.
Don’t guess. Just ask.
We are a family-run business. If you are stuck, don’t pay 4x the price out of panic. Call our Nottingham Hub or our Glasgow office and speak to a human being.
We’ll walk you through it.
Call us today on 0141 255 0621 or email us at info@scotlandscouriercompany.
