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As January draws to a close, a new year brings change. At the end of this month, from the 31st, to be exact, the Safety and Security Declaration will become mandatory for EU imports. Although on the subject of change, some things in Customs law don't change but do attract the eye of HMRC at audit, so you must understand your processes with regards to not only duty liability but VAT, often overlooked primarily when PVA (Postponed VAT Accounting) is being used or if goods are coming in for repair where ownership of the imported goods is essential. Something as simple as this can have huge ramifications in an audit. Food for thought!
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2024 saw 31 Notices to Exporters issued by the authorities, with subjects ranging from urging UK business’ best practices towards export controls, changes in OGELs and licencing regulations, to further detail on trade restrictions on Russia and reminders to traders as to the financial cost to a business of trade offences.
DEFRA Advisory for UK Importers: Updates on Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany
Following the confirmation on 10 January 2025 by the German Chief Veterinary Officer of the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in a herd of farmed water buffalo, Germany has now lost its FMD-free status.
NTE 2024/31: use of special and diacritic characters on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
Published 19 December 2024, exporters were advised that special and diacritic characters should not be used in licence applications or licence declarations. The CDS is unable to accept these particular characters at present.
HMRC is writing to businesses that move non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain to advise them of the new safety and security requirement that will be in effect from 31 January 2025.
Since 21 January 2025, how a Transit declaration is made when the NCTS is unavailable in Great Britain (GB) and/or Northern Ireland (XI) will change.
New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) Phase 5
Those involved with Transit movements will be aware of the evolution of NCTS as it moved in stages towards Final State Rules, which brought all CTC (Common Transit Convention) members into electronic alignment on January 21, 2025.
Removal of Export Waiver Document Code 999L
Back in July 2023, HMRC communicated that the use of the waiver document code 999L for export declarations would be extended until 31 January 2025. This was to facilitate the migration of export declarations from the decommissioned CHIEF to CDS.
HMRC issued further detail toward business preparation for NCTS5 Final State Rules for NI and GB
HMRC has issued an update to advise UK traders of NCTS downtime as HMRC prepares to introduce NCTS5 and Final State rules.
Crucial Updates to UK Trade Tariff
Following the crucial updates to the UK Trade Tariff, HMRC has released the latest Tariff press notice, which comprehensively covers the changes and absorbed commodity codes. These updates are of utmost importance to all importers and exporters.
British Food Exporters Enjoy New Protections in the Japanese Market
Thirty-nine food products have been added to the list of Geographical Indications (GIs) formally protected in the Japanese market. This is in addition to 37 products given protected status earlier last year, which means that UK exporters can sell traditional British products under their recognised brand name, which local suppliers cannot use.
Safety & Security Declarations (ENS) Update
ENS will affect any business within your supply chain that imports goods into the UK from the European Union from 31 January 2025. The requirement to ensure that this is completed is with the carrier of the goods; however, third parties can complete the ENS declaration on behalf of the carrier. It is advisable to liaise with the parties within your supply chain to understand who will complete these declarations as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
Modernising Customs Authorisations Project to Close
HMRC have advised that the project for the Modernising of Authorisations is to close early.
Relaunch of UK-India Trade Talks
This week, Jonathan Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, announced his upcoming visit to India in February to relaunch discussions for a Free Trade Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty with India. This follows a meeting between the Prime Minister and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Brazil in November, where it was stated that UK-India trade talks were to be relaunched in early 2025.
The UK Trade Minister visited South Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade relations.
Douglas Alexander, the UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, visited South Africa and Botswana to enhance trade connections and foster opportunities for businesses in both Africa and the UK. He is the first minister from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to visit the continent following last summer’s UK election.
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