Find out about temporary changes to customs policy and authorisations
These changes may affect you if you are authorised or applying to be authorised by customs to:
- use temporary storage or customs special procedures such as inward processing or customs warehousing
- use simplified declarations such as entry in your records
- have a guarantee
- operate as an Authorised Economic Operator
Changes to customs authorisations
If you’re no longer able to comply with a condition of your authorisation because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), you must get permission from your supervising office in HMRC or Border Force to temporarily vary the conditions of your authorisation.
You can apply to temporarily vary the following conditions of your customs approvals:
- changes to site opening hours
- the need for staff to be on site in order to carry out a particular function if that function can be completed remotely
- the specific areas within an approved location in which customs controls must be conducted
- reducing dwell times to allow quicker permission to progress
- time limits for bills of discharge and throughput periods for special procedures
- how to process goods held in temporary storage over 90 days
You can apply to temporarily change your authorisation by emailing your supervising office with the subject ‘COVID-19 customs easement request’.
Applications will be looked at on a case by case basis and may be declined if there are concerns about the impact on customs controls.
Applying for customs authorisations and guarantees
You can temporarily send your postal customs authorisation application by email instead. You will need to send your postal application form with an original signature once the coronavirus (COVID-19) controls are lifted.
If you are applying for a customs authorisation to allow you to bring supplies of food, medical and pharmaceuticals you will be given priority during this period and fast-tracked wherever possible.
For businesses authorised to provide Customs Comprehensive Guarantees, HMRC will also accept an electronic copy of your financial guarantee form (CCG2), transit guarantee form (C1146) and Joint Contractual Liability Form.
HMRC visits
HMRC do not need to visit you to confirm your authorisation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
If HMRC need to visit you, for example to continue to comply with international standards for AEO, and it is not possible to conduct that visit, they will contact you to discuss temporarily suspending the process.
HMRC will keep this policy under review as the situation develops to try and ensure any delay in the process does not have any significant impact on your business.
Renewing your existing authorisation
If HMRC are unable to renew your customs authorisation that is due to expire, they will automatically extend your authorisation to ensure you have continuity.
HMRC will let you know if they have granted an automatic extension.
Source: nibusinessinfo
