New G‌O‌V.U‌K pages to help traders prepare for EU exit

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the government’s top priority, however, it is continuing to prepare the country for every eventuality and has advised businesses to continue their preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Earlier this week, the UK government launched several pages bringing together its key guidance to help businesses prepare if they are moving goods to or from the EU.

The 'Trading and moving goods from the UK to the EU if the UK leaves with no deal' page includes guidance on what to do:

• before you get started – including how to apply for a UK trader number, known as a UK EORI number, and deciding whether to make customs declarations yourself or get help;
• to make a customs declaration – with details of how to fill in the commodity code for your goods;
• to move goods under transit – including how to use the Common Transit Convention to move your goods more easily; and
• after your goods leave the UK – with details of how long you’ll need to keep your commercial invoices and customs paperwork.

The 'Trading and moving goods from the EU to the UK if the UK leaves with no deal' page includes the same relevant guidance but with additional details, including what to do:

• when carrying merchandise in baggage;
• when importing animals, plants or other controlled products; and
• when your goods arrive – with details of how to pay customs duty and account for import VAT.

Extension to transitional simplified procedures

Last week, the government also announced it would extend arrangements already announced for traders to use transitional simplified procedures (TSP), which will make importing goods to the UK from the EU easier.

Registering for TSP will allow UK businesses to transport goods from the EU into the UK without having to make full customs declarations at the border or pay import duties straight away.

UK businesses that register for TSP will now have six months to make their first full customs declaration and pay import duties, with subsequent declarations submitted monthly.

TSP is also now being made available at all UK ports.