Beware Brexit complacency

The deadline for any transition extension has passed and the UK is going to complete Brexit on 31st December 2020. The Government have made it clear that they have offered support where necessary and expect you to be prepared. Ignorance of customs requirements after Brexit will not be a defence with HMRC and, more critically, your supply chain will grind to a halt, unless you take decisive action now.

The latest round of trade negotiations in Brussels broke up early last weekend. Significant sticking points remain on both sides and the prospect of a deal looks more remote, as each critical round of talk fail to progress.

Regardless of whether or not a free-trade agreement is eventually reached, customs declarations will be required on GB exports to the EU and NI and on imports from the EU from July 2021.

IMPORTS

The government has proposed a ‘light-touch’ regime for imports, using a process known as EIDR (Entry In Declarants Records). 

This ‘light-touch’ regime is for standard products and certain goods are excluded and WILL require frontier declarations.

Under EIDR you have up to six months to present the import entry, but you MUST keep records of arrivals, including basic data such as your EORI number, deferment information and the transport route are commodity specific. Commodity codes have to be accurate, additional quantity and value codes checked, the origin of the goods, preference rates and any potential anti-dumping or counter surveillance duties must be considered.

METRO SUPPORT (IMPORTS)

Our Customs experts will review your current flow, forecasts, Incoterms, origin confirmation and classification implications, to ensure that you’re totally prepared for the changes being triggered on the 1st January.

By reviewing historic data we will assess your requirements and provide a complete and comprehensive health check, too include an assessment of tariff changes, suitability of terms of sale against your current contract agreements and any requirement for fiscal representation.

EXPORTS

For exports to the EU the government is implementing a pre-lodgement process, where goods arriving at ports will have already made a customs declaration.

Under this model, trucks without a P2P (Permission to progress) would be unable to leave loading locations.

The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) supports this model for both imports and exports and to facilitate Transit movements.

For export movements from UK to mainland EU, the vehicle will either clear at the EU port of arrival or transit inland for clearance at approved premises closer to the ultimate destination.

To raise a transit document you need a transit guarantee, which are not cheap and to authenticate a transit you need to be an authorised consignor.

METRO SUPPORT (EXPORTS)

We review your export volumes, to assess what part of your export business is going to require a bond guarantee.

Can we identify an appropriate authorised haulier and use their transit, or do you get your own.