EXPORTING GOODS FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO THE EU FROM 1 JANUARY 2021

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.

Take a look at BIFA, the leading body representing the UK International Freight Services Industry:

See: https://www.bifa.org/home

or the Institute of Export & International Trade - See: https://www.export.org.uk/

To see more information on exporting goods click here.   This covers information on the following:

• Customs Agent or Broker
• Fast Parcel Operators
• Making export declarations yourself
• Submitting a declaration
• Community System Providers