Brexit Arrangements

Overview The European Economic Community and the European Union into which it evolved, is a customs union. There are no customs duties on good passing between European Union Member States.  Custom duties arise when goods are imported into the European Union or when they are released into free circulation from a customs control process. In […]

Overview Customs Duties are taxes on the import of goods. They are one of the oldest forms of taxation. Prior to joining the European Union, Ireland and the UK each had their own separate customs duties which applied to imports into each country. On joining the European Economic Community in 1973, Ireland and the UK […]

Administration HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) undertake the function of customs duty collection and administration in the UK on behalf of the EU.  HMRC also control prohibited and restricted goods, collect statistical information and play a significant part in the application of the Common Agricultural Policy. Customs controls generally take place at a port […]

Overview Goods exported out of the European Union must be entered under an export procedure and declared to customs.  The document used to do this is the Single Administrative Document.  It is a multi-functioning form which also functions as the export declaration.  It may also serve as the transit declaration and import declaration. The Single […]

Import Obligations Import declarations must be completed and submitted to Customs and Revenue authorities when goods are imported from outside the European Union. Imports are usually declared using the Single Administrative Document known as Form C88.  The SAD / C88 is a harmonized EU document.  The paperless version of the C88 in the UK is […]

Overview Customs Freight Simplified Procedure (CFSP) is an electronic customs declaration for speeding up the importation of goods. When CFSP goods arrive at a frontier from outside the EU, an initial declaration known as a Simplified Frontier Declaration is submitted by the trader to allow the release of the goods.  Subsequently, details of the consignment […]

Overview There are a number of customs procedures to delay and suspend payment of duty which may be beneficial to traders.   Generally, goods are not released into free circulation by customs until import duty and VAT has been paid.   If goods are imported regularly, it is possible to open up an account with HMRC to […]

Duty Suspense and Relief There is a range of facilities provided by customs to enable duties and taxes on goods to be relieved or suspended for certain periods.  This would apply, for example, to goods being imported or exported for repair.  It also applies to goods being stored for a certain period of time until […]

Overview Custom transit procedures facilitate movement of both EU and non-EU goods between EU and EFTA States by removing border formalities and the requirement to pay tax at every frontier.  There are two similar procedures. The Community Transit System applies to goods not in free circulation transiting other member states or travelling between member states […]