EU Exit Bulletin - 18 February 2022

In this week’s EU Exit Bulletin, the UK government has opened a call for evidence on an independent customs regime and the Institute welcome’s comments from members. In other news, traders are reminded to apply to the UK Trader Scheme for goods not ‘at risk’ of moving to the EU, readers can also sign up to webinars on how to use the UK’s new quality control mark (UKCA) and we also bring you several updates to guidance on GOV.UK.

Call for evidence: An Independent Customs Regime

HMRC and HM Treasury recently opened a new consultation “Call for evidence: An Independent Customs Regime.” which is seeking views on how the UK’s customs system can be improved by simplifying processes for traders and embracing innovation. The consultation closes on 2 May 2022. 

The Call for evidence invites respondents’ views on:

• the customs intermediary sector;
• the Simplified Customs Declaration Process; and
• the transit facilitation.

The Institute will be responding to this consultation and welcomes member’s view. Observations are welcome to brexit@charteredaccountants.ie. The closing date for responses is 2 May 2022.

Apply to the UK Trader Scheme for goods not ‘at risk’ of moving to the EU

If you are moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and those goods are to remain in Northern Ireland, traders should declare these goods not ‘at risk’ of moving into the EU to avoid becoming subject to EU import duty.

To do this, traders will need to become authorised under the UK Trader Scheme (UKTS). It is recommended that sufficient time is allowed for the application process and applications are made at least a month before it’s intended to move your goods.  To review the eligibility criteria, and to make an application, visit the UK Trader Scheme page on gov.uk.

Some key points to consider when establishing whether traders should apply to UKTS include:

• Goods should be moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, with the goods for sale to, or for final use by end consumers located in the UK or Northern Ireland.
• Traders will need to demonstrate that the goods are:
  • Not ‘at risk’ of moving to the EU by being able to show records, systems, controls and evidence of the Great Britain to Northern Ireland movements
  • For sale to, or provided for final use by, end consumers located in the UK or Northern Ireland.

• The qualification criteria for the scheme must also be met.

Sign up for webinars on using the UKCA mark 

The new UK conformity assessment marking (UKCA) rules, replacing the EU’s CE mark, will come into force from 1 January 2023.  Manufacturers will need to start to use the UKCA to place goods on the market in Great Britain to ensure consumers are protected from unsafe and non-compliant goods. There are different rules for Northern Ireland. The series of webinars hosted by the UK government should help businesses understand the process of adopting UKCA safety markings. 

Book in your place for the webinar here.

Miscellaneous updated guidance

The following documents/guidance relevant to EU exit have been updated/published recently:

• Removal of the country code EU from CHIEF (Tariff stop press notice 4);
• Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway;
• Help and support for UKNI marking transition;
• Community, Common Transit and TIR newsletters;
• Exporting active substances manufactured in Great Britain for use in EEA and Northern Ireland;
• Community, Common Transit and TIR newsletters;
• Customs, VAT and Excise UK transition legislation from 1 January 2021; and
• Search the register of customs agents and fast parcel operators.