HMRC is writing this week to all NI businesses who import or export goods with EU Member States, other than the Republic of Ireland.
Firms who are not already registered for customs are advised to:
- register for a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
- decide whether they will use a customs agent to make import and/or export declarations or will make the declarations themselves by buying software that interacts with HMRC’s systems; and
- contact an organisation that moves their goods (for example, a haulage firm) to find out if they will need to supply additional information to complete safety and security declarations, or whether they will need to submit these declarations themselves.
These steps should be undertaken as soon as possible in order that any changes can be quickly implemented in the event of the UK leaving the EU with No Deal at the end of March 2019.
Firms who only import or export goods from/to Ireland across the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border do not need to take any of the actions set out in the HMRC letter. Further communications on the arrangements for trading with Ireland will be provided by HMRC in due course.
Get ready for Brexit
To help you Get Ready for Brexit, Invest NI customers are now able to access specialist advice on customs procedures through an initial one to one discussion at a Brexit clinic, and/or via a more in-depth assessment of the implications for your business. For further information please contact your Client Manager or our Business Support team on 0800 181 4422.
£5m of funding available
In addition, HMRC and HM Treasury are making £5m of funding available to help businesses meet the costs of employee training and IT improvements related to customs procedures. Businesses are encouraged to apply early as applications will close on 5 April 2019, or earlier once all the funding is allocated.
Source: Invest NI
