Businesses urged to prepare for January customs changes
Businesses trading with the European Union (EU) have less than a month to get ready for new import and exports customs controls which come into force from January 1, 2022.
Current customs arrangements for goods moving from Ireland and Northern Ireland to Great Britain will be extended for as long as discussions between the UK and EU on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol are ongoing.
This means that full customs controls will be introduced as planned on January 1, 2022 for goods moving between the rest of the EU and Great Britain, and for goods exported from Great Britain to Ireland.
Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs' (HMRC’s) directors general for Borders and Trade, said:
We appreciate that businesses have already done so much to adapt to the new trading processes. Our priority will always be to ensure that businesses in Great Britain can continue to trade with the EU.
"We have been working closely with industry to explain the changes that are coming and how to prepare for them, and we know many businesses are ready.
"We urge people to act now – for those who need more support and guidance, HMRC is here to help."
The changes to customs and tax rules will affect everyone who trades with Europe, no matter the type or value of the goods they buy or sell, how frequently they trade or how their goods are transported.
The changes coming into force on January 1, 2022 include:
