Changes to import and export of goods to EU from Jan 2021

The process for exporting goods to the EU will change. Businesses in Great Britain need to complete the following actions to continue exporting to EU countries from 1 January 2021.

Check if you should follow this step by step

You should follow different guidance if you’re:

• sending goods by post
• exporting goods to countries outside the EU

Find out how to declare goods from 1 January 2021

From 1 January 2021, you’ll 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.

1. Get someone to deal with customs for you
2. Find out how to make customs declarations yourself

Check the new rules for your type of goods

From 1 January 2021, the rules for exporting some types of goods will change.

1. Check what export licences or certificates you need
2. Check the labelling and marketing standards for food, plant seeds and manufactured goods
3. Check the rules for exporting alcohol, tobacco and certain oils

Make sure you have an EORI number starting with GB

You need an EORI number that starts with GB to export goods from 1 January 2021.

1. Get an EORI number

Find out if you can charge VAT at 0%

From 1 January 2021, you can charge customers VAT at 0% (known as ‘zero rate’) on most goods you export to the EU.

1. Check if you can zero rate your goods for VAT

Prepare to import goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021

The process for importing goods from the EU will change. Businesses in Great Britain need to complete the following actions to continue importing from EU countries from 1 January 2021.

Check if you should follow this step by step

You should follow different guidance if you’re:

• receiving goods by post
• importing goods from countries outside the EU

Find out how to declare goods from 1 January 2021

From 1 January 2021, you’ll need to make customs declarations when you import goods from the EU. These rules currently apply to importing goods from 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.

1. Get someone to deal with customs for you
2. Find out how to make customs declarations yourself

Check the new rules for your type of goods

From 1 January 2021, the rules for importing some types of goods will change.

1. Check what import licences or certificates you need
2. Check the labelling and marketing standards for food, plant seeds and manufactured goods
3. Check the rules for importing alcohol, tobacco and certain oils

Check the rate of tax and duty you’ll need to pay

You need to pay customs duties and VAT on all imports.

1. Check the rate of customs duty on imports from 1 January 2021
2. Check the rate of VAT

Check if you can make the importing process quicker

From 1 January 2021, you’ll need to make customs declarations when you import goods from the EU.

In some situations, you can delay making a declaration for up to 6 months after you imported the goods.

1. Check if you can declare your goods later to make the importing process quicker

Contact MCL Accountants Southend today on 01702 593 029 to optimise your tax position or if you need any assistance with import or export VAT rules.

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Ishan Madan( CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT (FCCA) )

Ishan provides financial management, taxation and transactional advice to business entities of all sizes. His expert areas include statutory compliance, business taxation, personal tax & transactional processing and systems. Industry sectors include professional services, retail, hospitality and entertaining & media and advertising services.

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Contact us now to request a FREE, fixed price quote and explore further information about our services. If you prefer to speak directly, feel free to give us a call at any of the following numbers: Leigh-on-Sea Office: 01702 593 118 - Southend Office: 01702 593 046 - Thorpe Bay Office: 01702 593 029.