As we all learn to move forward post-Brexit, we have to adapt and update the way in which we do business.
There are new policies and systems that we must embrace to ensure business continuity and success. Delayed declarations were introduced by the UK government as a way of mitigating the effects of Brexit and are set to last to the end of 2021. We spoke to Brian Dakers, SGS Business Development Manager (e-customs) and asked him to break down the process in a series of questions and answers.
What are ‘Delayed Declarations’?
As a member of the European Union (EU), goods could travel into and out of the UK without the need for a customs declaration. When the UK departed from the EU and it’s customs union, customs declarations became necessary. Delayed declarations allow businesses to take longer to declare their UK imports, reducing an extra burden and allowing the UK time to adjust.
When in the EU, UK imports and exports required approximately 60 million declarations for goods going to or coming from beyond the EU. Now the UK is no longer a member of the EU, that number has risen to somewhere between 250-350 million declarations.
Who does it apply to?
This applies to any UK company receiving physical goods from EU suppliers, and will help to stagger the extra customs bureaucracy Brexit brings. You must make arrangements to either make the declarations yourself, which will require software and authorization from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), or make an agreement with a customs broker, like SGS, who has the relevant authorizations to do this for you. Please note, customs declarations are not optional – HMRC take a dim view of goods coming into the UK without their knowledge.
All of the information required for the declarations is fairly easy to find, such as from the commercial invoice and transactional paperwork, however it is a matter of translating it specifically for HMRC. Imports need to be declared within 175 days of arrival in the UK; so January 1 imports by the June 25, January 2 by the June 26, and so on. It can all be done through one data set, updated as the months progress.
SGS Solution
SGS has an experienced team of customs and trade experts, able to support businesses looking to ensure they are compliant, with a minimum amount of effort on their part. With offices covering the North and South of the UK, we have end to end customs service facilitation offerings. Working with us as your partner, you benefit from trusted HMRC authorizations, including Customs Freight Simplified Procedures (CFSP). With e-Customs options also available, we enable better, simpler and faster solutions.
As experts in this field, we advise you to get in touch with a customs broker, like SGS, and make an appointment to discuss your import declaration requirements and to form a plan for making the required declarations in good time.
For further information contact:
Brian Dakers
Business Development Manager (e-customs)
Trade Facilitation Services
t: +44 (0) 1749 345 007
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. Wherever you are, whatever your industry, our experts worldwide provide specialized solutions to make your business faster, simpler and more efficient.
