The UK government is phasing in post-Brexit controls on goods entering Great Britain from the EU to help traders prepare for new rules and obligations.
However, the need for importers to ensure they are prepared is becoming increasingly urgent, with the next major rule changes set to be introduced from 1 October 2021.
Legal requirement
A legal requirement to make supplementary declarations on standard goods entering Great Britain from the EU came into effect on 1 January this year.
However, the government eased in this new stipulation by allowing a 175-day rolling deadline from the date goods cross the border for submission of declarations.
If a trader imported goods on 1 January 2021, they needed to have completed their supplementary declaration by 25 June 2021.
Yet to prepare
IOE&IT director general Marco Forgione noted that while some firms have used the additional time to prepare, others have yet to begin.
Referring to the government’s Brexit training and advice grant, the SME Brexit Support Fund, which closed for applications on 30 June, Forgione said:
“It was revealed in parliament yesterday (Wednesday 28 July) that under 6,000 companies applied for the fund, a fraction of those importing from the EU. This is evidence that too many businesses don’t know that the situation is changing and that they will be unknowingly impacted.”
Help at hand
At 3pm on 4 August 2021, the IOE&IT is hosting a free webinar guiding traders though the new rules, assessing the risks and potential costs involved and how to minimise these.
It will cover:
- What new rules are being introduced on 1 October 2021
- Timeline for further checks and controls
- Declarations traders will need to complete
- Challenges importers will face – and steps traders can take to overcome these
Experts will also give practical advice about what traders can do to prepare for these changes – including using the new Digital Trader Service to complete declarations.
DTS automates the creation of customs declarations, through a service provided by a partnership between the IOE&IT and Fujitsu UK.
The service provides advice and expert guidance, backed by customer support available from Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm, enabling GB businesses to manage import procedures: supplementary declarations, entry (ENS) safety and security declarations and pre-lodged import declarations.
‘Simple solution’
Forgione commented: “The Digital Trader Service offers a quick and simple solution to help traders manage their declaration burden, ensuring they are compliant and allowing them to focus on the business of doing business.”
The volume of customs declarations being made by GB companies is estimated to jump from 50 million a year before Brexit to as much as 400 million.
Sign up to register for this webinar here. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions in advance when registering.
Further details
For further information about DTS, you can:
- Sign up to the free webinar running on 4 August at 3pm explaining the new service in more detail
- Visit the DTS website to register your interest
- Email info@digitaltraderservices.com
- Call 0203 808 3002
IOE&IT membership offer
There is a combined offer on IOE&IT membership and Digital Trader Services.
IOE&IT membership gives businesses and individuals a range of support services to reduce risk through their supply chains, ensure compliance and gain a competitive advantage in international markets. These include:
- Our renowned technical helpdesk and consultancy offerings
- Discounts on training and education
- Library of exclusive guides and webinars
- Networking opportunities
For more information please visit: export.org.uk/membership