Customs Procedures and Documentation

The UK entered a new trading era from 1st January 2021, and businesses have been familiarising themselves with the new border operating model and its impact on their international trade activity, in particular customs procedures. There are further changes scheduled for 2022.

Exporters and importers can look forward to the new HS Codes (2022), additional import controls and new customs systems – and need to ensure that their staff are up to date in order to maintain the flow of goods.

In addition to the 2022 changes, do you understand basic customs procedures, the critical data for a customs declaration or the legal responsibilities of the importer/exporter? Which documentation do you need to use and why? Are you aware of the customs simplifications and authorisations that are available to help streamline your process or perhaps ease cashflow?

Unless staff receive adequate training, their first encounter with officialdom is often goods delayed in transit or a customs audit. The cost of non-compliance can be high – whether this be demurrage charges at port, the repayment of understated duties, the withdrawal of customs authorisations or civil penalties.