From 1 January 2021 customs processes apply to EU/UK trade, whether or not a trade deal is secured
This means that from 1 January, full process applies to
- All EU import, export and SPS/agrifood processes.
- All movements under CTC Transit, in all administrations, including UK.
- All Northern Ireland processes.
Processes in Great Britain for EU trade are subject to staged implementation from January – full implementation and port controls 1 July 2021. (See UK Border Operating Model https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model)
What should customers be doing now?
Apply for an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number in your home administration – it is very possible you will need both an EU EORI and a UK EORI and if you are trading to and from Northern Ireland, a specific NI (‘XI’) EORI.
Ensure that for all goods you are moving, it is clear who will make export and import declarations and that they will be ready for 1 January 2021.
If you are the party deemed responsible for the declaration you may want to consider appointing a customs intermediary to act on your behalf.
You (or an agreed party as above) will be responsible for completing all safety and security declarations, for both accompanied and unaccompanied shipments.
Depending on the shipping routes you utilise, as a haulier you will need to be registered (or have agreements with qualified parties to register and act on your behalf) for a number of state customs and/or agriculture computer systems in order to lodge declarations and get routing decisions, etc – please seek advice on your exact requirements and plan early in case software development is needed. If you ship on Stena Line routes between Great Britain and the Netherlands you or your nominated party will also need access to Portbase, the port community system for Dutch ports and Destin8 (if shipping unaccompanied non transit movements), the port community system in GB East coast ports.
If moving goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, the UK Government’s Trader Support Service is being established to provide information and to process entries on your behalf, free of charge https://www.tradersupportservice.co.uk/tss
If shipping under transit arrangements through the Common Transit Convention (CTC) mechanism, consider applying for or encouraging your main partners to apply for Authorised Consignor / Authorised Consignee status at their premises to avoid congestion and delays at customs facilities, especially if these are at a port location.
We understand that some original hard copy documentation may be required to travel with a vehicle or be available at its point of entry at the time it arrives (for example Export Health Certificates, Transit Accompanying Documents or TADs); please check full requirements with authorities. Stena Line will not be able to accept such documents into our care or operate a ‘Ship’s Bag’ arrangement – if you ship unaccompanied trailers, please ensure that you have made suitable arrangements for the secure transfer of such documents with the load they relate to – for example in a lockable document box attached to the trailer – allowing for inspection by the authorities if required.
Stena Line’s Terms and Conditions will be amended to reflect responsibilities in this new environment; please ensure that you review all updates in detail.