UK Border Controls Post-Brexit – What You Need to Know About Importing Goods

In our Brexit and VAT series, we delve into some of the most important issues of the day to bring you clarity and advice.

Last week we looked at goods, services, and VAT. This week, we address UK border controls post-Brexit and importing goods.

 Movement of goods post-Brexit

Currently, the concept of dispatches and acquisitions applies to goods that move between Great Britain and the EU. After 31 December, the movement of goods will be subject to export and import treatment. When it comes to exports, zero rating can apply if the relevant conditions are met. However, imports are liable to import VAT and potentially customs duty.

The path to post-Brexit clarity on imports has been long and winding. In February 2020, the UK Government introduced a range of measures to ease the potential impact of a hard Brexit. The introduction of Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) for customs entry into the UK intended to reduce burdens on business. The UK Government also announced postponed accounting for import VAT. This allows for the tax to be accounted for at the time of the return filing rather than at import.

After signing the transition deal, the Government abandoned these measures. Controversy around the removal of postponed accounting for import VAT and the catastrophic progress of the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to have affected the UK Government’s thinking. The Spring Budget in March reintroduced postponed accounting. Then in June, Downing Street introduced updated guidance and a phased implementation in three stages for border controls. This approach serves to mitigate, to some degree, the changes brought about by the pandemic and speaks to the capacity of the UK Government itself in the coming months.

Three stage approach to border controls post-Brexit

• Stage 1: January 2021. In this stage, basic customs requirements such as sufficient records for the import of standard goods will be introduced. In line with TSP, there will be up to six months to complete customs declarations. Any duty payable will be on submission of customs declaration, not at the time of entry.
• Stage 2: April 2021. In stage two, all products of animal origin (POAO) and all regulated plants and plant products will require pre notification and health documentation.
• Stage 3: July 2021. The final stage of implementation will require businesses moving all goods to make declarations at the point of import. Any customs duty will be due at this time.

As of stage one, controlled goods like alcohol and tobacco will be subject to checks. In the event there is no preferential agreement with the exporting country, for example a Free Trade Agreement with the EU, the new UK Global Tariff lists (UKGT) will apply. The UKGT is a worst-case scenario document, showing the tariffs that will apply to imported goods in the absence of a Free Trade Agreement. The sharp eyed among us will note the changes between the current UKGT and the 2019 temporary list. In the latter, 88% of goods were tariff free, whilst the new UKGT reduces the level to 60%.

Mechanisms for change

In addition to the checks, controls and costs of imports, there are a series of changes to mechanisms for importing goods that businesses must consider post-Brexit. Customs Freight Simplified Procedures (CFSP); the existing electronic customs declarations system; and Entry In Declarants Records (EIDR) will be available without application until 30 June 2021. This is as long as businesses meet the relevant conditions. After this, they’ll require approval.

Postponed VAT Accounting, introduced by HRMC on 1 January 2021, will provide some respite for businesses. It will apply to both imports from the EU and those from outside of it, and crucially, it won’t require an application. However, it doesn’t free businesses from the payment of duties, which will be applicable in line with the UKGT list.

Hopes were high for positive change on Intrastat, the mechanism for EU-UK trade statistics. Renowned for its headache causing qualities and reliance on manual data manipulation, an end to Intrastat was expected by many to be a Brexit bonus. When publishing the Border Operating Model in July 2020, HMRC confirmed that Intrastat arrivals declarations will continue to be required from those businesses that have a liability to submit in 2020. There will be no requirement for dispatches to be submitted.  It should be noted that the position for businesses in Northern Ireland will be different. This is due to the Northern Ireland protocol.

What are the next steps?

Understanding import obligations and preparing well in advance of each stage of the phased implementation for border controls post-Brexit is essential.