HMRC launched a new UK Trader Scheme (UKTS) this week to support businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland from the start of next year.
Traders are being urged to consider whether they need to sign up to the scheme to ensure they don’t pay tariffs on the movement of goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain where those goods can be shown to remain the UK’s customs territory.
Businesses can now apply for a UKTS authorisation, allowing them to self-declare goods not ‘at risk’ of moving on to the EU after entering Northern Ireland. This means they will not be subject to EU duties on goods being sold to or used by consumers after entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, regardless of the outcome of the trade negotiations between the UK and the EU.
Businesses who do not sign up could have to pay tariffs on their goods, unless they are eligible to claim a waiver.
The scheme is open to businesses of all sizes and across all industries who operate under the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP).
Firms who want to declare goods not ‘at risk’ from 1 January 2021 will need to apply for authorisation by 31 December 2020. Traders will be granted a provisional authorisation for a period of up to four months whilst HMRC processes their applications.
The government has provided £200m in funding for the Trader Support Service (TSS), which offers education and guidance on ‘at risk’ goods for NI and GB businesses.
NAM Implications:
- Scope for cross border movement into ROI…
- …officially and unofficially?
