Gerry MacCrossan
From 1 January 2021, you will need to make customs declarations when exporting goods to the EU. These rules currently apply to exporting goods to the rest of the world, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. You can make the declarations yourself or hire someone else such as a courier, freight forwarder or customs agent.
HIRING A PERSON OR BUSINESS TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMS FOR YOU
You can hire a person or business to deal with customs for you, such as:
- Freight forwarders
- Customs agents or brokers
- Fast parcel operators
What they can do for you (and who will be liable) depends on:
- The services they provide
- What you want them to do
- The commercial agreement you have with them
- They will need to be established in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
FREIGHT FORWARDERS
Freight forwarders move goods around the world for exporters and importers. A freight forwarder will arrange clearing your goods through customs. They will have software to communicate with HMRC’s systems. You can find out how to use a freight forwarder on the British International Freight Association and Institute of Export websites.
CUSTOMS AGENT OR BROKER
Customs agents and brokers help your goods clear through customs and borders. You can hire a customs agent or broker to act as a direct representative or indirect representative. HansenMac are an example of a customs agent that can support you.
Typically, they will support you to:
- Check the classification and valuation of your goods, and make sure you use the right commodity codes
- Liaise with government agencies and customs authorities on your behalf
- Advise on any necessary licenses for export of restricted or hazardous goods
- Prepare and submit documents which must be filed to clear customs processes
Further information can also be found at UK Import Services Ltd.
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.
They cannot act on your behalf without written instructions from you. The instruction must show whether they are acting for you directly or indirectly. HMRC will only ask for evidence of the authorisation if they need it. To find out more about fast parcel operators, please click here.
Getting someone to act directly
You can hire a person or business to act in your name. You will be liable for:
- Keeping records
- The accuracy of any information provided on your customs declarations
- Any Customs Duty or VAT due
You cannot ask someone to act directly if they are submitting your declarations using simplified customs procedures or entry in the declarant’s records. When acting directly, even if they have authorisation, they can only submit those types of declarations if you have authorisation.
Getting someone to act indirectly
You can get someone to act for you in their own name, this means they are:
- Equally responsible for making sure the information is accurate
- Jointly and severally liable for any duty or VAT
If they have authorisation, you can get an indirect agent to make declarations using:
- Simplified customs procedures
- Entry in the declarant’s records
You cannot ask someone to act indirectly if you are declaring goods for:
- Inward processing
- Outward processing
- Temporary admission
- End-use relief
- Private customs warehousing
MAKING EXPORT DECLARATIONS YOURSELF
If you are a UK-based business sending goods outside of the UK and from the 1 January to the EU as well as the rest of the world, you must complete an export declaration to get your goods through customs. Before you start you must also have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
You must also have a Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) badge role (if you are using a freight forwarder you do not need to apply). If you get Authorised Economic Operator Customs Simplifications status this may speed up the process of applying for the National Export System.
SUBMITTING A DECLARATION
Most declarations are submitted electronically using the National Export System. If you’re going to do this yourself, rather than appoint an agent, you will need to register for the National Export System.
You must use the National Export System to make export declarations to customs. You can use the system to send declarations through:
- Web
- XML
- Community Systems Providers
To make your declaration through the web or email, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register.
To make your declaration by sending an email, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. Email cannot be used for common agricultural policy declarations.
To make your declaration by XML declaration, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. If you choose this method you’ll also need:
- A CHIEF-compatible software package (EDIFACT), including an XML wrapper
- An HTTPS internet connection (this is a more secure connection than HTTP)
COMMUNITY SYSTEM PROVIDERS
Community Systems Providers run the major inventory-controlled ports around the UK. You can access the export system indirectly through a Community Systems Provider using your own software or software provided by an independent software company.
Freight forwarders buy annual badges to their systems and charge exporters a fee for entering goods for export on their behalf. Customs do not charge for use of their systems and any charges are set by the freight forwarders direct. Full guidance on exporting goods from Britain to the EU can be found here.