Businesses have been advised to take action now to make sure they are ready when new border controls are introduced from January 1, 2021, for goods moving from the UK to the EU.
The new border controls will be introduced in three stages up until July 1, 2021, with the first tranche will take effect in January next year.
The stages are:
BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: “With full border controls in place at all ports from January 1st next year, regardless of any deal that is agreed with the EU, and an estimated 200 million more declarations needed to be made by traders annually, firms that import and export to the EU should take action now and prioritise the appointment of customs intermediaries to advise on the next steps.
“It is pleasing to see the Government listening to the Chamber network and reintroducing Postponed VAT Accounting, as well as allowing the deferment of duty and VAT on EU imports for at least six months from January 2020. And many businesses will appreciate the introduction of bond-free duty deferment accounts, which will provide much needed help to cashflow for businesses and reduce import costs.
“While businesses will welcome more detail on processes for trading goods overseas, some questions still remain unanswered, including on trade across the Northern Ireland border and the operation of the Goods Vehicle Management System. We will continue to look at the detail and how it affects businesses over the coming weeks.”
The Government’s full border controls document can be found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model
Traders can check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods online at: https://www.gov.uk/check-duties-customs-exporting
A step-by-step guide to importing is available here: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021
And a step-by-step guide to exporting here: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021
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