Getting Prepared for a ‘No-Deal’ Brexit

20 March 2019

As Brexit looms with no clarification as to what we can expect, one thing that we can anticipate is a change for those that engage in international shipping.

The historical decision to leave the EU has left many confused and stressed about what to expect and what changes are going to happen. What does this mean for your business? Will this make logistics more complicated? What kind of documentation am I going to need to ship to EU countries?

HMRC is urging business owners to prepare now and consider the necessary steps to ensure their businesses can continue trading with the EU if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Businesses will need to get an Economic Operator and Registration Identification (EORI) number – UK businesses that have only ever traded in the EU will not have an EORI number and it is important to get one as in the event of a no-deal exit, businesses without will no longer be able to trade with the EU. According to HMRC figures, only 17% of these businesses have registered.

If the UK does leave the EU without a deal, customs declaration preparations need to be made, and you have to be ready to follow other customs rules for the goods you import from the EU. If you are importing via containerized seafreight, these shipments will become subject to the same import customs procedures as freight from elsewhere in the world.

Allseas are trained and well-equipped to help you with your customs declarations, we can take away the stress and can ensure your shipments are cleared seamlessly into the UK on your behalf.

However, in order for us to be able to complete customs clearance for your shipment, we will need to have these documents prior to the loading of your cargo.

•   Exporter / Shipper
•   Importer / Consignee
•   PO Number / Your Ref
•   Value of Goods / Currency
•   Country of origin of the goods
•   Net/Gross weight / Number of packages
•   Commodity code and description of goods
•   Delivery terms – Incoterms
•   EORI number for shipper and consignee

For more information on what kind of documents are involved in the shipping process, you can download our documentation guide here.

For businesses that import goods into the UK from the EU using roll on roll off locations – such as Dover – they can register for the new, temporary authorisation called Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP). TSP will allow businesses to import without having to make a full customs declaration at the border, and postpone paying any import duties.

If you are currently already authorised to use one of the existing Customs special procedures, such as the Customs Freight Simplified Procedure (CFSP), or you only import goods from outside the EU, then you will not be eligible to apply for the TSP.

Worried about Import VAT too? The process for accounting for import VAT will also change, businesses will be able to pay import VAT on their next VAT return, rather than when the goods arrive at the border, allowing for import VAT to be declared and recovered on the same return. You do not have to register to use postponed VAT accounting, it will be available to all VAT registered business.

For the latest information from HMRC:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-urges-business-owners-to-make-sure-they-are-ready-for-no-deal