In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available and InterTrade Ireland is hosting a series of free webinars to help businesses navigate trade between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain (“GB”). HMRC has also launched a new online service for businesses importing goods into GB and Northern Ireland and we update you on some matters discussed at a recent meeting of HMRC’s Northern Ireland Joint Customs Consultative Committee.  New online service for importers  Businesses importing goods into any part of the UK can now use a new HMRC online service for the following purposes:- view and manage your cash account (top up and withdraw funds);  set up a Direct Debit for and top up a duty deferment account;  request older statements and certificates;  view and manage your general guarantee account;  manage the email address linked to your account;  access secure messages from HMRC related to your account; and  set up, manage, or view account authorities.  You can also view and download:- duty deferment statements;  import VAT certificates (C79);  postponed import VAT statements; and  notification of adjustment statements.  In order to use the service, you must be subscribed to the Customs Declaration service (“CDS”) and can sign in to the new service using the Government Gateway user ID and password used to subscribe the CDS.  Meeting of HMRC’s Northern Ireland Joint Customs Consultative Committee (“NI JCCC”)  The Institute was in attendance at the most recent meeting of HMRC’s NI JCCC, a stakeholder forum to discuss Northern Ireland specific customs issues as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU.  At the meeting HMRC presented on the issue of consumer parcels being sent from GB to NI. A new system will be operational from Spring 2024, the UK Carrier Scheme, before the next phase of the Windsor Framework takes effect from 30 September 2024. In summary, from 30 September 2024, consumer parcels will be able to be sent from GB to NI without customs declarations. However, some information will need to be provided in bulk under the new UK Carrier scheme which aims to remove the burden from the border.  HMRC will issue further guidance and stated that they will not be auditing large movements of parcels. However, if there is a perception of potential abuse of the scheme, for example by moving goods from GB to NI for the purposes of onwards movement into the EU, HMRC will raise this with carriers. A number of upcoming milestones were also highlighted which we will provide more details on in due course.   The consultation on the introduction of the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”) was also discussed. This will be introduced from 1 January 2027. The Government is considering minimum thresholds and plans to operate this like a domestic tax making the person who is responsible for the goods the person responsible for paying this tax, not the customs agent. This will be implemented by primary and secondary legislation and will also be followed by the development of guidance.   A question was asked if there is a liability to the EU CBAM for Northern Ireland importers if Northern Ireland importers are moving the goods into the EU, but the goods are coming from GB into Northern Ireland. HMRC confirmed that imports into Northern Ireland are not subject to the requirements of EU CBAM. Imports into the EU, including Ireland, are subject to the EU CBAM.   Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.   Recently updated guidance, and publications relevant to EU exit are set out below:-  External temporary storage facilities codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service;  Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes (Union) of the Customs Declaration Service;  Known error workarounds for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Apply for a voluntary clearance amendment (underpayment) (C2001);  Access trader testing for the New Computerised Transit System Phase 5;  Customs Importer and Exporter Population 2023; and  Customs Importer and Exporter Population. 

In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The most recent Trader Support Service and Cabinet Office Borders bulletins are also available. Read the email from HMRC about the beginning of physical checks of imports from the EU of certain sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods from 30 April 2024, which is effectively the next part of the UK’s Government’s implementation of its Border Target Operating Model and see below for some useful new resources in relation to the Windsor Framework.  Windsor Framework resources  The Northern Ireland Assembly’s EU Affairs Team recently published some new resources on the Windsor Framework which includes a summary of the UK and EU legislation required to implement it, information and flowcharts on the Stormont Brake, applicability motions, and the work of the Democratic Scrutiny Committee, and a timeline of the key events and milestones.  Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.   Recently updated guidance, and publications relevant to EU exit are set out below:-  Importing SPS controlled goods that interact with ALVS;  Data Element 2/3 Documents and Other Reference Codes (National) of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Authorisation type codes for Data Element 3/39 of the Customs Declaration Service;  Data Element 2/3 Documents and Other Reference Codes (National) of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Additional Information (AI) Statement Codes for Data Element 2/2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Suspension of Import Duty Rates) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; and  Customs, VAT and excise UK transition legislation from 1 January 2021.   

In recent weeks we have issued several reminders that 30 April 2024 is the deadline for the end of the VAT margin scheme for second hand vehicles moved to Northern Ireland from Great Britain prior to 1 May 2023. If these vehicles are sold after 30 April 2024, VAT will therefore be chargeable on the full selling price and not on the margin made. At the request of HMRC, Chartered Accountants Ireland gathered evidence recently from local car dealers which demonstrates that many dealers are still experiencing delays in selling these vehicles for a range of reasons, including the economic environment and delays in MOT testing. Click read more for an update on our recent meeting with HMRC on this issue. The Institute met at the end of last month at the request of HMRC with their VAT policy team to discuss and present the evidence gathered from local dealers. The Institute also explored the potential for either removal of the deadline, a type of amnesty, or another extension.  Readers are advised that HMRC is insistent that the deadline remains 30 April 2024 and that there will not be a further extension. According to HMRC, a deadline is required for “legal certainty”. Despite presenting evidence of the ongoing difficulties being experienced in selling these vehicles, it is disappointing that the cliff edge deadline of 30 April 2024 remains in place.    

In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The most recent Trader Support Service and Cabinet Officer Borders bulletins are also available. Readers are advised that this bulletin contains important information on the next phase in the implementation of the UK’s new import controls, known as the Border Target Operating Model, which commences from 30 April 2024 when  documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin imported from the from the EU will begin.   Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.   Recently updated guidance, and publications relevant to EU exit are set out below:-  Customs Declaration Service: service availability and issues;  Reference Document for The Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020;  Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes;  Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  CDS Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports;  Customs declaration completion requirements for Great Britain;  Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes (Union) of the Customs Declaration Service;  Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Authorisation type codes for Data Element 3/39 of the Customs Declaration Service;  Data Element 2/3 Documents and Other Reference Codes (National) of the CustomsDeclaration Service (CDS);  Additional Information (AI) Statement Codes for Data Element 2/2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS);  Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Suspension of Import Duty Rates) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; and  Customs, VAT and excise UK transition legislation from 1 January 2021. 

In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The most recent Trader Support Service and Cabinet Officer Borders bulletins are also available. HMRC also recently published guidance on sending parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland which will take effect under the Windsor Framework from 30 September 2024. And finally, we provide information on a recent update to VAT and EORI guidance.  VAT and EORI guidance  If a business deregisters for VAT, any Economic Operators Registration and Identification (“EORI”) number(s) they hold will also be removed at the same time.   By way of reminder, EORIs are needed for authorisations, including a UK Internal Market System (“UKIMS”) authorisation, and licences. To continue using these, there are actions a business needs to take which are as follows:  Authorisations (including Duty Deferment Accounts and guarantees) - contact the supervising office. This can be found in the authorisation correspondence received originally;  Licences - to continue using these please contact the issuing government department; and  If a business still needs an EORI number, they can apply for a new GB EORI number. The number is usually confirmed immediately. Once a business has a GB EORI, they will then be able apply for an XI EORI number, if needed and they meet the relevant criteria. The number will be issued within five working days of applying.  If a business needs help getting a new EORI number, please contact HMRC.   Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.   Recently updated guidance, and publications relevant to EU exit are set out below:-  Classifying footwear for import and export;  Customs Declaration Service is open for all export migration;  Get help using example declarations for exports from Great Britain to the rest of the world;  Making an export declaration using a pre-shipment advice;  Making an export supplementary declaration;  Making an export declaration in your records;  Making a full export declaration;  Tell HMRC when exports have arrived or departed a UK port;  Make and manage an export declaration online;  Get help using example declarations for exports from Great Britain to the rest of the world;  Apply for authorised consignor or consignee status; and  Report a problem using the Customs Declaration Service. 

We recently issued a reminder that second hand vehicles moved from Great Britain (“GB”) to Northern Ireland (“NI”) prior to 1 May 2023 can continue to avail of the VAT margin scheme, but only until the extended deadline of 30 April 2024. HMRC has requested details of any such vehicles still in stock and unsold. Please contact us to provide this information by Friday 22 March 2024. Our thanks go to anyone who has already been in touch to provide this information.  The 30 April 2024 deadline means that any vehicles moved from GB to NI prior to 1 May 2023 but sold after 30 April 2024 will require output VAT to be charged on the full selling price, and not on the margin.   The six-month extension from the original deadline of 31 October 2023 followed extensive lobbying from Chartered Accountants Ireland in September and October 2023.