New border and customs procedures are now in place, which impact on movements to GB from the EU. Early feedback from Government suggests there are a number of issues causing delays as people familiarise themselves with the new system.
One of the most common issues reported is incorrect vehicle identification with trailer ID numbers being recorded rather than the vehicle registration number.
This is the latest update from HMRC including how to get assistance from their helplines. In terms of vehicle issues, we’re very grateful to BCA member Boast International for providing guidance on GVMS for us to share with the membership.BCA has experienced some confusion in terms of guidance for non-UK based businesses who wish to import into the UK and take on the role of importer (and therefore make the customs declarations). Whilst the general understanding is that companies need to be “established” in the UK in order to complete customs processes (or employ a UK-based fiscal agent to do so) HMRC officials have indicated to us that it is possible for a non-UK business, with a GB EORI number, to make the UK import customs declaration. However, this would be dependent on successfully registering with the UK CHIEF customs system.
We are aware that some EU Member States are experiencing delays in the provision of REX numbers for EU exporters and we continue to be in contact with Defra over the recent changes around movement of organic goods and whether EU changes introduced last month can be reversed.
Achieving this will however require considerable pressure from EU based businesses and Member States, which has not been obvious hitherto. A reminder also that for Products of Animal Origin, UK SPS based checks will not begin until 1st July 2022.
