UPDATED: Importing, Exporting and Transporting After Brexit

14 Mar 2019

In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, from 29th March 2019, UK businesses will need to apply the same procedures to EU trade that currently apply when trading with the rest of the world. A number of guidance documents and updates were published by the UK Government in recent weeks, many of which are provided in the form of summaries and links below.

You can find the full information at: https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export

Importing, exporting and transporting products or goods after Brexit, what your business needs to do now:

• Both importers and exporters should get a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number so you can continue to import or export goods and apply for authorisations that will make customs processes easier for you: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-uk-eori-number-to-trade-within-the-eu

• If you do not move your goods yourself, contact the organisation that moves your goods (for example, a haulage firm) to find out if they can make customs declarations for your goods, or if you will need to make them yourself.

• If you are responsible for declaring goods, decide if you want to hire an import-export agent to make customs declarations, or make the declarations yourself: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/declaring-your-goods-at-customs-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal

• You can apply for customs declarations grants to get funding for training and IT improvements: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/grants-for-businesses-that-complete-customs-declarations

• You can check the Simplified Customs Procedures for trading with the EU if we leave without a deal: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/customs-procedures-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-without-a-deal#contents

The actions set out in this guidance do not apply to importing or exporting goods between Northern Ireland-Ireland.

• Importers: HMRC has put in place Transitional Simplified Procedures to make it easier for you to import goods from the EU using roll on roll off locations like Dover or the Channel Tunnel. These procedures will be reviewed 3 to 6 months after they are introduced on 29th March 2019. A 12 month notice period will be implemented if these are withdrawn.
  
  To find out if and how you can register to use transitional simplified procedures to import goods into the UK, follow this link: www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing.
  
  Please note that there are some controlled goods (e.g. explosives) regarding which further information will be required before importing, and where licences and other import procedures may apply. Details of these can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions

• Exporters: You must use the National Export System (NES) to declare your exports to countries outside the EU. After registering for their EORI number, exporters should also register for the National Export System at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-declarations-and-the-national-export-system-export-procedures

• Talk to your customers, suppliers and customs agents to understand your responsibilities within the supply chain.

• Stay alert to new tariffs and how they may apply, implications for VAT on imports and exports, and what new customs checks will impact the supply chain. A trade tariff look-up tool is available at: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/sections

• Stay updated. Some of these requirements may change depending on the terms that the UK leaves the EU. You can sign up to email alerts on customs declarations, duties and tariffs at: https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export/email-signup

Step by step guides

Two 'step-by-step' guides specific for importers and exporters were also published:

• Importing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnership-pack-preparing-for-a-no-deal-eu-exit/preparing-for-a-no-deal-eu-exit-step-by-step-guide-to-importing
• Exporting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnership-pack-preparing-for-a-no-deal-eu-exit/preparing-for-a-no-deal-eu-exit-step-by-step-guide-to-exporting

ECMT international road haulage permits

You might need European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) permits to transport goods in the EU and European Economic Area from 29th March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Further information on quotes, eligibility and fees are provided at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits?utm_source=3e4b7fbd-10b2-48f5-99a3 d26cfadb6a63&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Please note that you can no longer apply for ECMT permits for 2019 but you will be able to apply for permits for 2020 later in 2019. DVSA has already started to allocate ECMT permits for 2019 and there were only a limited number of permits available.

The UK government will seek an agreement with Ireland to allow continued access for Northern Ireland hauliers to Ireland without the need for ECMT permits. The UK government has stated it will not require Irish hauliers to have ECMT permits to operate in Northern Ireland.

With thanks to the Mineral Products Association for permitting publication of this information.