The process for importing goods from the EU has changed. Businesses in Great Britain must complete the following actions to continue importing from EU countries starting 1 January 2021.
Declaring Goods From 1 January 2021
As of 1 January 2021, customs declarations are required for importing goods from the EU. These rules already apply to imports from countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
You can handle the declarations yourself or hire a professional, such as a courier, freight forwarder, or customs agent.
Hiring a Professional for Customs Declarations
You may hire a person or business to manage customs declarations for you, including:
– Freight Forwarders
– Customs Agents or Brokers
– Fast Parcel Operators
Their responsibilities and your liabilities will depend on the services provided, your requirements, and your commercial agreement. From 1 January 2021, these professionals must be established in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
Freight Forwarders
Freight forwarders manage the global movement of goods for importers and handle customs clearance. They have the necessary software to communicate with HMRC systems. For more information, visit the [British International Freight Association](https://www.bifa.org/home) and the [Institute of Export](https://www.export.org.uk/) websites.
See: https://www.bifa.org/home
See: https://www.export.org.uk/
Customs Agent or Broker
Customs agents and brokers help your goods clear through customs. You can hire a customs agent or broker to act as a:
- direct representative
- indirect representative
You can search these out on the internet.
Examples are: HansenMac: https://hansenmac.com/
Typically they will:
- Check the classification and valuation of your goods, and making sure you use the right commodity codes
- Liaise with government agencies and customs authorities on your behalf
- Advise on any necessary licenses for import of restricted or hazardous goods
- Prepare and submit documents which have to be filed to clear customs processes
- Help arrange correct payment of import duties and VAT as necessary
See: https://smallbusiness.co.uk/
Further Information can also be found at UK Import Services Ltd: https://www.ukimports.org/
Fast Parcel Operators
Fast parcel operators transport documents, parcels and freight across the world in a specific time frame. They can deal with customs for you, as part of their delivery.
See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/
HMRC list of customs agents and fast parcel operators can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/