E-commerce and other businesses moving goods between UK and EU

E-commerce and other businesses moving goods between UK and EU

If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules. Your business will be affected by the new rules if you: • buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK • send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country • haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU. We understand this means a lot of changes are needed, and HMRC are available to help you in several ways. HMRC have a Customs & International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434, for more help with importing, exporting or customs reliefs. The helpline is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm at weekends.

There is also a SME Brexit support fund available – Please follow the link here to apply and learn more. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including training or professional advice to adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU.

HMRC have webinars available for you to attend online starting today. Please see below for a list of these to help you adjust to the new rules.

Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving:
An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Key processes include – zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.
Please register here to take part if you’re planning to export.

Customs Import Declarations: an overview: If your business or a business you represent, needs to make customs import declarations on goods you’ve imported since 1 January, our webinar helps you to understand what’s needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, and delayed import declarations.
Please register here to take part if you’re planning to import.

Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader, if you choose to use an intermediary to complete import or export declarations for your business. These are complex and an intermediary can save you a lot of time.
Please register here to take part if you’re planning to import or export.

Importing: what you need to know about staged controls: This webinar takes you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced from 1 January 2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage.
Please register here to take part if you’re planning to import.

You can also:

• watch HMRC’s YouTube channel to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU
• use the trader checklist to make sure you’re familiar with the new rules that affect you
• use the updated guides to understand the new customs and VAT requirements when moving goods between the UK and EU countries
• sign-up to the Trader Support Service if your client’s business is moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products – including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol
• you can also sign up to our weekly email updates on ‘News and information about importing and exporting with the EU’, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting.

We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your businesses who are just getting going! Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Our fantastic team at A&C Chartered Accountants are here to help.