The Government has relaxed customs rules for goods heading to Ukraine after aid donations to the embattled country were held up due to Brexit confusion.

The rules have been eased after post-Brexit bureaucracy left lorries with supplies meant for Ukraine stuck at the border in Dover for days.

A report on The Independent news website said organisations sending goods to Ukraine will be able to make oral customs declarations, or a ‘declaration by conduct’, such as passing through a ‘nothing to declare’ green channel.

An oral declaration requires an individual to identify the relevant goods to an HMRC officer.

Goods can bypass electronic system

According to a report, this means goods can now bypass electronic customs declarations which have been blamed for holding up lorries trying to reach Europe.

Other customs formalities, such as needing to notify HMRC when the goods have been exported, were also lifted.

The Government said the rule changes – which will be temporary – will apply to aid being sent to any destinations besides Russia and Belarus.

Provided the goods are not exported to, or through, those two countries, then these simplified processes apply to qualifying goods regardless of the destination “to allow maximum flexibility to get aid to where the need is greatest,” an HMRC statement said.

Electronic customs declaration waived

The move replaces the need to lodge an electronic customs declaration to HMRC through CHIEF or CDS and applies to designated airports and south coast ports in the UK.

Britain’s exit from the EU single market and customs union led to extra paperwork for goods crossing the border between the UK and the EU.

A new electronic system, the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), was launched in January to facilitate the declarations needed to cross the Channel.

The system has caused big queues on the roads to Dover, according to hauliers, who have complained that even lorries with the right paperwork have been taking 15 minutes to clear the border.

Ensuring humanitarian aid is fast-tracked

Lucy Frazer QC MP, financial secretary to the Treasury, said: “Government advice remains that the best way to help the Ukrainian people is to donate money through the Disasters Emergency Committee or other trusted charities.

“However, we appreciate that people and businesses may still wish to donate aid directly to the region, so this new customs easement will ensure that humanitarian aid is fast-tracked from GB to help those most affected.”

For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our expert team today.

UK exports to the European Union have fallen by almost £20 billion since leaving the single market in 2021, a major study has revealed.

The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), come after research revealed that half of traders are “not confident” in exporting internationally since the introduction of full customs controls.

Here’s what you need to know.

UK Exports to EU fall

According to the ONS, UK exports to the EU have fallen by £20 billion when compared with the last period of “stable trade”.

The figures show that cross-border trade fell by 12 per cent in the year to December 2021, compared with the same period in 2018. This increases to 16 per cent when including only small businesses.

Fewer exporters in 2022

Separate data also revealed that the number of large businesses exporting goods and services in February fell by nine per cent compared to a year ago. This falls to three per cent among medium-sized firms, five per cent among small businesses, and six per cent among micro-businesses.

“Half of firms” not confident trading with the EU

The data comes after the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT) revealed that half of all traders were not confident with trading with the EU after full customs controls came into force in January this year.

This includes the requirement to make full import customs declarations and pay relevant tariffs at the point of import, as well as using the correct country code for the country of origin and the country of dispatch when completing a customs declaration.

Let’s get trading

If you are unfamiliar with the new customs regime, there is plenty of support available.

• Firms can use the Export Support Service to ask questions about international trading, such as exporting to new markets, what paperwork you will need to sell your goods overseas, and rules for a specific country.
• If you move goods in or out of Northern Ireland, the Trader Support Service will guide you through any changes due to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• Complete the trader checklist to find out what actions you need to take to comply.

Get advice today

For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our team today.