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We’re ready for import customs, says Clarksons

[ November 11, 2021   //   ]

Clarksons Port Services (CPS) has increased its customs clearance solutions to help businesses prepare for the changes when UK customs authorities demand full declarations to be completed before allowing shipments across the border.

The UK Government dropped full border controls at the beginning of this year, when Brexit, in combination with the chaos caused by the pandemic, threatened to shut down UK-continental Europe supply chains, but businesses now need to prepare for the end of the transition period, says CPS.

However, Christopher Ewings, customs clearance manager at Clarksons Port Services, warned: “We do not believe the sector is ready for the January 2022 deadline – the goods vehicle movement service (GVMS) system should have thousands of companies registered on it, but it’s currently much less, and through conversations with our customers, in the EU, there is great confusion about the changes.

“The start of the New Year will see the implementation of import controls – there are no plans to delay this; customs declarations will be due on 1 January and so we are urging businesses to prepare. If businesses are not prepared, goods will not be released by customs until all duty and VAT and accurate documentation is submitted, resulting in costly delays. By preparing now, exporters are able to remove the risk of underpaying duty and VAT which could lead to potential fines and additional changes at a later stage.”

He added: “Customs clearance will be required by everyone in the UK and EU and all importers, whether large or small, are going to need experienced customs brokers to help with imports and exports.”

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