Advice for traders re: Brexit

08 Feb 2019

 

The Government continues to work towards a deal and is confident of securing a relationship with the EU which maintains the current, liberalised access we enjoy. This is very much in the interests of the EU as well as the UK. Our Government does not expect and has never intended to rely solely on ECMT permits after we leave the EU. In fact, the European Commission has already put forward proposals which would ensure hauliers continue carrying goods into the EU in the event of no deal, and UK Government continues to work on all possible contingency measures. HMRC sent out a new letter to traders on Monday setting out customs procedures and actions for traders. You can download a copy by clicking on this link.

 In summary, there are three key actions for traders to take in preparation for no deal, although UK Government continues to work towards a deal and is confident on securing a relationship with the EU:

1. Register for EORI number www.gov.uk/hmrc/get-eori (do this first)
2. Then sign up for TSP online www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing if you use certain ports
3. Register for the HMRC Brexit email update service at www.gov.uk/hmrc/business-support and www.gov.uk/hmrc/trade-with-the-eu 

For Export:
Register for your Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number if you haven’t done so already at www.gov.uk/hmrc/get-eori.

1. If you want to make declarations through a customs agent, appoint one as soon as possible; 
2. If you cannot appoint an agent, or do not think this is the right solution for your business and if you intend to import or export regularly, you should: 

• make sure someone in your business is trained to make customs declarations
• buy specialist software that links to HMRC’s customs systems
• (if exporting) register for the National Export System at www.gov.uk/guidance/export-declarations-andthe- national-export-system-export-procedures.

For Import:
Once you’re registered, you’ll be able to transport your goods into the UK without having to make a full customs declaration at the border, and you will be able to postpone paying your import duties. However for controlled goods you will have to provide some information before import.

1. Sign up for TSP online at www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing. You’ll need an EORI number to do this. For further guidance, including which ports TSP applies to, please go to www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing.
2. Register for our email update service at www.gov.uk/hmrc/business-support select ‘business help and education emails’, then ‘EU Exit’.
3. Non-VAT registered businesses should also go to www.gov.uk/hmrc/trade-with-the-eu for changes that affect them.

HMRC also published the latest version of the Partnership Pack today.

The key points regarding HMRC changes are:

1. There is new content on TSP in anything relating to business and imports 
2. There is new content on VAT IT systems/importing tweaks to parcels and VAT content in light of repeated criticism from AICES. This isn’t substantive, apart from a new section on Express Couriers which just repurposes content from other sections.