BDG - March updates - 05/03/2019

HMRC urges business owners to make sure they are ready for no deal

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a message encouraging business owners to prepare now and consider three steps to ensure their businesses can continue to trade with the EU if the UK leaves the EU without a deal:

• Register for an Economic Operator and Registration Identification (EORI) number. You can apply for an EORI number here.
• Consider how you want to make customs declarations. Most businesses with customs obligations choose to use a customs agent.

• If you import goods into the UK from the EU using roll on roll off locations, register for new Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP). TSP will allow businesses to import without having to make a full customs declaration at the border, and postpone paying any import duties. You can register for the new TSP process here.

Go to GOV.UK for the full message, as well as for further information and guidance.

Poster/leaflet available to help traders prepare for a no deal EU Exit

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, from 29 March 2019 traders will need to follow new processes, and may need new documents, to use the channel crossings or transport goods to and from the EU. The Border Delivery Group have published a leaflet/poster to help you prepare for a no deal EU exit. These products provide guidance on the key steps that importers and exporters will need to take. Please share these products with your own stakeholders, customers and members to encourage traders to prepare. Suggested lines for social media or your own websites and newsletters:

• Are you EU exit ready? Help reduce the risk of delays at the border. Make sure you check your documents and declarations. Visit gov.uk/euexit for more information.

Go to GOV.UK for more communications resources and links to help you support your customers in preparing for a no deal EU Exit.

Freight Transport Association: No Deal Brexit Customs Workshop for Accredited Traders presentation

On Tuesday 26 February the Freight Transport Association and UK Government held a No Deal Brexit Customs Workshop for Accredited Traders. The purpose of the workshop was for UK Government officials to provide advice and guidance on customs procedures and facilitations for traffic between the UK and the rest of Europe, should the UK leave the EU without a deal. The presentation that was used during the event is attached to this bulletin for your information. *Please note that these slides were created for the FTA ‘No Deal Brexit Customs Workshop for Accredited Traders’ held on 26/02/19. For the most up to date information after this date please refer to GOV.UK.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders: EU Exit webinar

On Thursday 28 February, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hosted a webinar with UK Government on customs and the border in a no deal scenario. The purpose of the webinar was for UK Government officials to provide advice and guidance on customs procedures and facilitations for traffic between the UK and the rest of Europe, should the UK leave the EU without a deal, and provide some examples within an automotive setting of how these procedures work in practice; Please use this link to access a recording of the webinar. To watch the full webinar you will need to download the video.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate: EU Exit Information Hub

The VMD has launched its EU Exit Information Hub; which shows what areas of the regulation will and will not change and provides draft guidance current on EU Exit day (29^th March 2019), in the event the UK leave the EU without a deal. Sign up to our email alert notifications to make sure you get the latest information as it becomes available.