The global deployment of IT hardware is a very complex task. Whilst transporting the goods to their final destination is not particularly difficult, dealing with customs when the equipment arrives in the country is where the risks lie.
To ease the pressures on our international customers needing to ship their equipment to the Telehouse London Docklands data centres, we’re now able to offer an end-to-end customs, processing, and shipping service through our new partnership with TecEx.
TecEx is a division of the world’s largest tax recovery business, VATIT. It maintains its global trade desks of in-house professionals in finance, logistics, and trade compliance that focus exclusively on providing international Importer of Record (IOR) and import trade compliance, allowing for so-called ‘Delivery Duty Paid’ shipping terms. TecEx provides industry-leading cycle times for imports and exports into over 200 locations globally, including the UK.
Our customers can take advantage of this service immediately and safely import any IT equipment to our Telehouse London Docklands facilities, from servers, network cables and switches to firewalls, and UPSs, to name a few.
Helping our customers navigate post-Brexit regulations
As a result of new trade rules post-Brexit, businesses are likely to incur a more complex process of calculating taxes and duties as well as obtaining the correct licenses and permits for the smallest of IT hardware shipments. Even with a UK-registered entity, exporting and importing goods requires expert knowledge and extensive due diligence as delays at customs could easily translate to delaying crucial business initiatives and expansion plans.
Thanks to our partnership with TecEx, our Telehouse London Docklands customers can save time and reduce the stress of navigating the labyrinth of post-Brexit regulations. With years of experience and a proven track record in facilitating complex and high-value transactions for the UK and many European countries, TecEx can perform the submissions on our customer’s behalf, maintain all documentation for audit purposes, and offer consultancy throughout.
The benefits to customers
Aside from easing the post-Brexit regulatory headache, TecEx can bring an array of additional benefits to our customers who need their IT equipment shipped quickly to our facilities:
- First-time customs clearance. TecEx’s DDP model means our customers get first-time customs clearance and can enjoy the benefits of central procurement, meaning less administrative burden.
- Full compliance and risk mitigation. Even the most innocent of errors or oversights can have a disproportionately severe fallout. IT equipment is one of the most highly regulated groups of products regarding import compliance. Failure to comply with regulations could result in seizure of the shipment, heavy fines, delays, extra charges for storage and customs, and even revocation of import privileges. With TecEx, our customers can enjoy peace of mind and risk-free shipping of their hardware.
- Potential for shorter hardware lead times when procuring centrally from one vendor in a market that has better product availability.
- Configuration and staging of goods prior to deployment. This allows for equipment testing prior to shipping, simpler installation, and better systems conformity, as reliance can be placed on fewer engineering teams.
- Door-to-door service. TecEx will pick up IT hardware from our customers’ office or their vendor if required and deliver it safely to our London Docklands data centres.
- Free of charge service consultancy to gain in-depth information on the procedures, permits, lead times, and freight requirements for specific shipments and destinations.
How to get started
Telehouse customers who need to import IT equipment for delivery to our London Docklands data centres can get in touch with us. We will then pass your details directly to TecEx, who will be able to advise you and manage the shipment on your behalf.
If you’re unsure about country-specific compliance requirements or whether you’d need an IOR, check the graph below:
