Support and guidance offer for businesses on customs controls
Following changes to the way we trade with the European Union (EU) coming into force on January 1, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is offering tailored guidance and one-to-one support to help businesses new to customs declarations and controls.
Businesses have done exceptionally well adapting to the new processes. However, forthosethathaven’tyethadto makeadeclaration,orforthose who are still getting to grips with the changes, HMRC has been working to ensure businessesarefullysupportedduring their transition, providing regularwebinarsandvideosas well as a dedicated helpline for queries.
Directors General of Borders and Trade, Sophie Dean and Katherine Green, said: “The hard work put in by traders to prepare themselves for the changes has paid off with the majority of businesses adapting to the new processes and continuing to trade without any disruption at all.
“We do however recognise that the introduction of full customs controls is a significant change for some, which is why we are continuing to provide comprehensive support both through the Customs & International Trade helpline and jointly with representative bodies and the border industry.
“We would encourage anyone still struggling with the changes to contact our advisors so we can help them
understand the new requirements.”
Since the beginning of the
year, changes include:
• requirement for full customs import declarations for
all goods at the time they are brought into Great Britain (GB), except if they are noncontrolled goods imported from Ireland to GB
• customs controls at all ports and other border locations.Goodsmaybedirectedto an Inland Border Facility (IBF) for documentary or physical checks if these checks cannot be done at the border
• requirement for a suppliers’declarationprovingtheoriginofgoods(eitherUKorEU)if using the zero tariffs agreed in the UK’s trade deal with the EU
• changes to commodity codes, which are used to classify goods for customs declarations.
Additionally, anyone moving goods between GB and the EU through a Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) border location must be registered to use this service.
Formorevisitwww.gov.uk/ Brexit