In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. HMRC has also issued a reminder that the CHIEF system closes for import declarations from 30 September 2022 after which the Customs Declarations Service must be used. We also update you on recent developments in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
Northern Ireland Protocol Bill update
The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill has now moved to the House of Lords after completing all House of Commons stages before the summer recess in July. The House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is now conducting an inquiry into the Bill, as set out earlier.
Last week, MEPs urged the European Commission to establish clear procedures which would allow the EU to take retaliatory measures, which could include imposing sanctions against the UK, as the UK is expected to press ahead with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
Importers: be ready for the move to Customs Declaration Service
HMRC has issued a reminder that the Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (“CHIEF”) system will close for import declarations from the end of September.
If your business or clients make import declarations, you must move to the Customs Declaration Service now, otherwise you won’t be able to import goods to the UK from 1 October 2022.
Follow the two steps below to be ready for the change:
- Use the trader checklist (or declarant checklist if you make declarations yourselves without an agent) to move across to the Customs Declaration Service; and
- Watch HMRC’s YouTube videos which explain how to subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service, use the service, and carry out an import declaration.
It can take several weeks to be fully set up, so businesses need to act now.
Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.
The latest guidance updates, and publications relevant to EU exit are as follows:-