Mark Ratcliffe Moving is a specialist European mover from our Eastbourne and Lower Dicker base. Since 1982 we have arranged thousands of relocations between the UK and the European mainland — and post-Brexit, doing this properly matters more than ever, because the paperwork mistakes that used to cost a delay now cost duty and VAT. We are a BAR Overseas Group member with vetted destination agents across Europe and we handle the customs documentation end-to-end.
Before 2021, moving from the UK to Spain or France was largely just a long drive with the right paperwork in the cab. Today it involves a customs declaration on each side, T1 or T2 transit documents in some cases, and — for permanent relocations — a Transfer of Residence relief claim to avoid being charged import VAT and duty on your own possessions. Getting it wrong costs money and time. We handle all of this for you as standard.
Free in-home or video survey to measure volume in cubic metres and itemise the contents. We then quote sole-load (you pay for a full vehicle) or part-load (you share space with other shipments going your way) — typically the latter saves significant money for smaller moves.
European shipments use our pad-wrap protection on furniture and export-grade packing for fragile items. The journey may be only a few days, but the loading, unloading and customs handling steps mean the goods are moved more times than a domestic move, so packing has to be more rigorous.
For a full 3-bedroom or larger house, a sole-load typically works out better — your possessions go direct from Eastbourne to your new address with no transhipment, usually in 4–8 days for nearby countries. For a smaller move (one or two rooms, a flat, or just specific items), a part-load is far cheaper and only takes a few days longer.
We prepare the inventory packing list, valued inventory, ToR1 relief application (UK side), and the destination customs paperwork via our agent. You sign and we file. We chase the destination clearance so you do not have to.
Our destination agent delivers, unpacks furniture into agreed rooms and removes the wrapping. Optional add-on services like reassembly of large furniture and box-by-box unpacking are available.
Common destinations: Dordogne, Charente, Brittany, Normandy, Provence, the Cote d'Azur. Channel Tunnel or Dover-Calais ferry route. Typical 7–10 day delivery from Eastbourne.
Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, inland Andalucía, Catalonia, Balearics. Road transport via France for the mainland; ferry from the mainland for the Balearics. Typical 10–14 days.
Northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto), Tuscany, Lazio, Puglia. Typical 8–12 days from Eastbourne.
Algarve, Lisbon area, Porto. Typical 10–14 days. Popular for UK retirees post-Brexit using the D7 visa.
Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, the Hague. Typical 5–8 days. Common destinations for work relocations.
Specialist routes — Switzerland in particular has strict customs rules around used personal effects. Allow 10–14 days and budget more for paperwork.
ToR1 is the EU customs scheme that allows people moving permanently to an EU country to bring their personal effects without paying duty or import VAT — provided certain conditions are met:
The cost of getting ToR1 wrong is typically 20–25% of the value of your possessions in import VAT and duty — a multi-thousand-pound penalty for missing paperwork. We file the ToR1 for every eligible customer as part of our service.
Since the UK left the EU customs union in 2021 the practical work of moving to mainland Europe has changed considerably. We have built up specific expertise on the destinations Eastbourne customers most often choose, including the post-Brexit visa, residency and customs nuances of each.
Brexit changed European removals significantly and the paperwork still trips up first-time movers. The two key forms are ToR1 (Transfer of Residence relief), which exempts your household goods from import duty into the EU, and the destination country’s equivalent customs entry document. We complete the ToR1 with you at the survey stage — it’s straightforward but needs to be lodged at least 14 days before shipment to ensure clearance. For larger consignments we also prepare the C88/EX1 export declaration that the UK side requires.
If you’re moving less than half a 40-foot container’s worth, a part-load shares the lorry with one or two other UK–EU shipments. You pay only for the cubic feet you use, but the timeline extends because the lorry waits for compatible loads in both directions. A sole-load means the lorry runs your move directly — faster, more expensive, recommended for over half a container or for moves with tight deadlines. The price difference is usually 30–50% in favour of the part-load.
The Sevington inland border facility (just south of Ashford, Kent) handles all our European-bound exports for customs clearance. Typical wait is 30–90 minutes; busy weeks (early January, late August) can push to half a day. We build the timing into our schedule so the lorry never misses a sailing or ferry slot. Once across, EU-to-EU travel is at normal road speed; destination delivery typically happens 2–4 days after crossing depending on the country.
From Eastbourne, France and the Netherlands typically deliver within 7–10 days; Spain and Portugal within 10–14; Italy and Germany 7–12; Scandinavia 10–14. Part-loads take longer than sole-loads.
Yes. Even though the UK is no longer in the EU customs union, your possessions need an inventory packing list, valued inventory, and where applicable, Transfer of Residence relief paperwork to avoid being charged duty and VAT at the destination.
ToR1 is the customs scheme that allows UK residents moving permanently to an EU country to import their personal effects without paying duty or VAT, provided they have owned the items for at least 6 months and will live in the destination for at least 12 months. We handle the paperwork.
Often yes — depending on container space and destination rules. We typically use a specialist car-shipping partner for vehicles and coordinate timing with the household goods shipment.
Yes — significantly. A part-load (sharing container space) can be a third to a half the cost of a sole-use container for the same volume. The trade-off is timing flexibility — you fit around the consolidator's schedule.
From the blog
An 8-week countdown to move day. Week-by-week tasks, what to expect, and the first-night box that saves you.
Read article →
How our signature method works — wrap in your home, never unwrapped in transit, only unwrapped in final position.
Read article →
Real 2026 prices for Sussex moves — local, long-distance, packing, storage, international. No "from £150" tricks.
Read article →Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote — or use our online form. Whether it's a one-room move or a full international relocation, we've handled it before.