In this week’s EU Exit Bulletin, read about the UK government’s announcement to postpone further checks on EU imports and a new UK law to recognise overseas professional qualifications. In other developments, the Trader Support Service team has issued guidance to help deal with error notifications that arise when filing supplementary declarations and Revenue reminds traders about the correct procedure when checking in unaccompanied trailers at ports.
UK government announces further delays checks on certain imports from the EU
The UK government has decided to further postpone checks on imported food and fresh products from the EU until the end of 2023.
Minister for Brexit Opportunities Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the following controls will be deferred:
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A requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports
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A requirement for health certification for further SPS imports
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A requirement for SPS goods to be presented at a BCP
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Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU
These checks have already been deferred indefinitely for goods imported into Great Britain from Ireland.
The UK government cited the need to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the war in Ukraine as reasons for the postponement.
New UK law to recognise overseas professional qualifications
A new approach to recognising professional qualifications achieved overseas has entered into force in the UK following Royal Asset. The Professional Qualifications Act revokes the previous EU system for how certain professional qualifications gained overseas are recognised in the UK.
Under the new system, UK regulators have the autonomy to decide on the right approach to recognising overseas professional qualifications, including being able to decide who is fit to practice. UK regulators can strike deals on recognition with their overseas counterparts, to enable UK professionals get their qualifications recognised internationally.
Speaking after the Act entered law, Labour Markets Minister Paul Scully said: “We’re freeing our professions from outdated EU arrangements so they can decide for themselves which individuals hold the qualifications, skills, and experience to meet the UK’s high standards. Making sure regulators have the powers to uphold standards is a huge step forward in making the UK the best place to work and do business.”
New guidance on sending goods by post, courier or fast parcel operator added to GOV.UK
A new video ‘Exporting – sending goods outside Great Britain (including EU countries) by post, courier, or fast parcel operator’ has been added to GOV.UK. The guidance is applicable where goods are sent in parcels to consumers or businesses abroad.
Error code guidance – CDS10020
The Trader Support Service (TSS) team has issued guidance on what to do if you receive the error message CDS10020 when submitting a Supplementary Declaration or a Simplified Frontier Declaration. This error could arise for the following reasons:
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Data has been entered in the wrong format (e.g., an eight-digit number entered in a data field that requires a seven-digit number)
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An invalid code has been entered for the type of declaration being submitted (e.g., a procedure code entered on a Supplementary Declaration that is not permitted for traders using the simplified declarations procedure).
Once you have identified the data field causing the issue, the TSS team’s advice is to look up the field in the Declaration Data Guide on NICTA to determine the data format requirements you need to follow and to find more information.
Checking in an unaccompanied trailer to Customs in a Roll on Roll off port
Revenue has issued a reminder to all those involved in bringing goods into Ireland on a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) ferry from Great Britain. Where a ‘Call to Customs’ channel (excluding a seal check) has been issued for an unaccompanied trailer, the relevant PBN should not be checked into customs unless the driver is present in the port and is available to transport the unit immediately to the designated inspection point.
Government agencies have reported the negative impact that not adhering to this practice has had on other units waiting for and available for inspection.