This week’s Brexit Bites covers the news that the EU-UK trade deal takes a step closer towards ratification in the European Parliament. The Institute is also running a webinar on 21 April on how Brexit has affected the global mobility of British and EU workers. We also have details of an Invest NI/HMRC webinar that will focus on how the UK Trader Scheme can enable companies to declare goods as not ‘at risk’.
Trade deal moves towards ratification
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Trade committees yesterday approved the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached between the EU and UK on Christmas Eve. This vote of approval moves the agreement a step closer to full ratification by the European Parliament. During the committee vote, the trade deal passed with 108 votes in favour, one against and four abstentions.
Earlier in the week, Members of the European Parliament stated that they would not set a date for ratification, citing the need for assurances that the UK will apply the agreement. The vote was due to take place at the end of April, however this was postponed following the unilateral move by the UK to extend grace periods on certain checks on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.
UK seeks more time to respond to EU's legal action on NI Protocol
The UK has reportedly asked for more time to respond to the legal action taken by the EU over its unilateral decision to ease the requirements of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The appeal came in two letters from David Frost the UK’s Cabinet Office Minister.
The EU launched legal proceedings against the UK in mid-March following the unilateral decision by the UK to delay the full implementation of the Protocol by delaying the introduction of new sea border checks on food, parcels and pets without EU agreement.
The European Commission then issued a letter of formal notice to the UK for "breaching the substantive provisions of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland" as well as the "good faith obligation under the Withdrawal Agreement”.
A second letter was sent by the European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to Mr Frost asking the UK to refrain from putting into practice the announced extension of the grace periods for certain border checks on goods moving across the Irish Sea from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The UK was given one month to respond to the two letters.
It is reported that Mr Frost has asked for an extension of one month.
Institute’s Brexit ask the expert series: People Movement – 21 April at 11am
Due to Brexit, the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the UK, and British nationals to live and work in the EU has fundamentally changed. This course will cover the key changes that have occurred, as well as immigration options for employers impacted by the transformation in immigration rules and immigration options for employees who live and work in the UK and the EU.
Delivered by immigration expert Philip McNally from KPMG, this course is suitable for those who employ (or intend to employ) EU nationals in the UK, and for companies which send British employees throughout the EU.
It may also be useful for global mobility and employment tax professionals who want to further understand the legal obligations for an employee moving to the UK and the EU.
In addition to this, internal auditors may be interested in the sections which cover immigration compliance in the UK and EU, whilst personal tax advisors may be interested in the declarations an individual makes when making a UK immigration application.
Book now
SME Brexit Support Fund
HMRC has issued a reminder that smaller businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.
The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund is designed to enable traders to access practical support, including training for new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes.
Small and medium sized businesses that trade solely with the EU – and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes – are encouraged to apply for the grants.
To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between GB and the EU, or move goods between GB and Northern Ireland.
Webinar: Declare your goods not ‘at risk’ with the UK Trader Scheme
Invest NI will host a webinar on Wednesday 28 April with HMRC that will focus on how the UK Trader Scheme can enable companies to declare goods as not ‘at risk’.
If you bring goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain or a country outside of the EU, you may need to pay EU customs duty unless you can declare (prove) those goods are not ‘at risk’ of being moved on to the European Union, including to the Republic of Ireland.
Companies can only declare goods as not 'at risk' if they are authorised to do so under the UK Trader Scheme.
At this webinar, HMRC will explain how the UK Trader Scheme works, how to apply for the UK Trader Scheme to declare your goods not ‘at risk’ and they will also discuss how you may be able to declare some of your consignments as not ‘at risk’ based on previous trading experience.
Following the presentation representatives from HMRC will answer questions.
Following the webinar, there will be the opportunity to meet with specialist advisors.
HMRC are running a series of webinars throughout the month of April to help businesses adjust to the new Brexit rules and keep business moving.
Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move 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.
Customs Import Declarations: an overview: If your business or a business you represent, needs to make customs import declarations on goods you've imported since 1 January, our webinar helps you to understand what’s needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, and delayed import declarations.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader, if you choose to use an intermediary to complete import or export declarations for your business. These are complex and an intermediary can save you a lot of time.
Importing: staged introduction of customs controls: This webinar takes you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced from 1 January 2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage.
LOADING...