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Now is the time prepare for Brexit, says Logistics UK

[ August 6, 2020   //   ]

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is urging organisations to start to prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of the year as the economy starts to recover after the Covid pandemic.

Director of policy Elizabeth de Jong says that the 200,000 UK businesses that currently trade with Europe should protect their supply chains and there is still much that UK traders can do now to ensure that the goods they depend upon continue to flow across borders.

Importers and exporters will need to ensure they have paperwork and systems ready, including applications for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number needed before any goods can be moved, and knowing the Commodity Code and customs value of the goods, which are all needed to make a customs declaration and calculate duties.   

Hauliers will need to understand and be able to use at least eight new IT systems to make ro ro trade move efficiently – there are four separate systems required by the UK government and one for each of Ireland,  France, Belgium and the Netherlands.  All will take time to install and learn and should not be left to the last minute.   

De Jong adds:  “There are many other areas which, while seemingly innocuous, could trip up the very best intentions of traders to maintain a seamless supply chain.  Businesses need to ask themselves have they considered how they will make declarations to HMRC systems, and whether they will employ an agent. It is also important to consider whether they can, and would benefit from, using any available simplifications or deferred customs declarations for standard goods.  All this takes time and needs to be factored into the planning process – leaving it to the last minute could be problematic at best.”

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