Moving goods between the UK and the EU - Transition Update

Moving goods between the UK and the EU - Transition Update

If your client’s business moves goods between the UK and countries in the EU, they’ll need to follow new customs and tax rules.

 

Their business will be affected by the new rules if they:
- buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK
- send goods they’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country
- haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment they use for their business, between the UK and the EU.


We understand this means a lot of changes are needed, and HMRC is here to help you and your clients in several ways:
Your clients can now apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including training or professional advice to adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU.
You can attend our webinars to help them adjust to the new rules and keep your client’s business moving.


Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: An overview of the actions to take now when exporting goods from Great Britain to the EU and moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Key processes include – zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.


Customs Import Declarations: an overview: If a business you represent needs to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and on non-controlled goods by the end of June 2021, this webinar will help you, and your client, to understand what’s needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, and delayed import declarations.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.


Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: This webinar explains your client’s responsibilities as a trader, if they choose to use an intermediary to complete import or export declarations for their business. These are complex and an intermediary can save them a lot of time.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.


Importing: what you need to know about staged controls: This webinar takes you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced from 1 January 2021, and what actions your client’s business need to take for each stage.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.


You can also:
- watch our videos on HMRC’s YouTube channel to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what your client needs to do before trading goods with the EU
- use the trader checklist on GOV.UK to make sure you’re familiar with the new rules that affect your client
- use our updated guides to understand the new customs and VAT requirements when your client’s business is moving goods between the UK and EU countries
- sign-up to the Trader Support Service if your client’s business is moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products – including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol
- ask and get answers to specific questions about HMRC processes for importing or exporting, by visiting our customer forums
- watch webinars and videos from other government departments to support you and your clients on these changes
- sign up to our weekly email updates on ‘News and information about importing and exporting with the EU’, providing hints and tips for businesses like your client’s to get used to the new rules for importing and exporting.


Contact us
Call our Customs & International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434, for more help with importing, exporting or customs reliefs. The helpline is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm at weekends. You, or your client, can also send us your questions or webchat.
Protect yourself from scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.