|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
Destination: The United Kingdom
Background:
Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century,
Economy - overview:
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, deploys an essentially capitalistic economy,
Customs : UK Customs require a completed original UK Customs C3 form, a detailed packing list, a marriage certificate (if applicable), and invoices/receipts for all items under 6 months old. All alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, perfumes/aftershave and all goods under 6 months old are subject to duty. For duty free entry of your household goods and personal effects into the EU you must have owned and used the goods for more than 6 months and have lived in the country of origin for more than 12 months. If you are furnishing a secondary home please contact us as taxes & duty may be payable.
Information is as a guide only – Quarantine and Customs conditions may change without notice
|
|
played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science.
At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface.
The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars.
The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation.
The UK currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe.
A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside of the EMU for the time being.
Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK.
Regional assemblies with varying degrees of power opened in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 1999.
one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe.
Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs.
Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force.
The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation.
Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance.
Economic growth has been slowed in 1999; recovery to 3% is in prospect for 2000, based on a rise in exports and domestic demand.
The BLAIR government has put off the question of participation in the euro system until after the next election, not expected until 2001; Chancellor of the Exchequer BROWN has identified some key economic tests to determine whether the UK should join the common currency system.