The UK’s HMRevenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned importers that from January 1st, 2022, they will no longer be able to delay making import customs declarations under Staged Customs Control rules.

It’s essential for business owners who are importing goods into Great Britain as part of their international trade activities or intra-UK transactions with customers in Northern Ireland to find out about these upcoming changes now so they can plan accordingly.

Customs Declarations

The tax authority says businesses should consider how they will make their declarations. They can either appoint an intermediary, such as a customs agent or submit the statements themselves; for more information on getting someone to deal with taxes, you see here.

Some businesses already have a ‘Simplified Declarations’ authorisation from HMRC that allows their goods to be released directly into customs procedure without providing a complete declaration at the time of release.

Simplified declarations are an excellent option for businesses that want to keep their paperwork simplified. If you apply now, the authorisation may not be granted before January 1st of 2022, which means there could be delays in receiving goods and services from other countries (however, this depends on how long it takes customs).

For more information about using Simplified Declarations or any questions relating to contact us today so we can help get your business back up and running quickly!

Businesses must use the correct country code for their customs declaration from January 1st. From that day, companies in countries within the European Union will be required to specify which member state they are operating under when completing a trade’s import or export form – not England as previously used without any specific guidance on what this means exactly. The new system comes into effect immediately, and all current declarations using old guidelines need updating before the next tax season begins.

Border Controls

Goods will not leave a port if they do not have the appropriate clearances. The UK-EU Brexit deal includes new border controls and regulations, likely due to customs procedures that must undergo any product passing through international borders into circulation within either Great Britain or Europe (or both).

Starting in January 2022, you may be required to send your goods through an inland border facility for “documentary or physical checks”. Those involved with transporting the shipment must be ready and understand how they will operate from this point forward as the new systems will not permit your goods to leave the country, and they’ll be turned away if you don’t follow the correct process.

Postponed VAT Accounting

If you continue to use Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA), then HMRC will not require that your company account for import taxes when the goods are being exported from Great Britain.

However, if they tell us otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to submit a supplementary declaration after all other paperwork has been completed to account accurately.

Changrez Khan
Changrez Khan

Changrez is the owner and director of TFMC Southend-on-Sea. He is a Senior Financial Management professional with over 25 years of progressive experience. Changrez has a deep knowledge of accounting and finance with world-class educational and professional qualifications. He is commercially focused and can add value to any enterprise through finance collaboration with core Business. He has demonstrated a track record of building and leading high performing teams.