Bussinesses urged to prepare for changes in UK border controls in Jan 1

MAJOR provider of integrated shipping services, Clarksons Port Services (CPS), has urged businesses to prepare for changes to UK border controls from January 1, 2022

As a result of Brexit, the way goods move in and out of the EU is changing and businesses that are shipping goods in and out of the UK will be subject to customs clearance from January 1, 2022.

CPS has increased its customs clearance solutions to help businesses prepare for the changes that will see UK customs authorities requiring full customs declarations completed to allow shipments across the border.

“Whether you are a large multinational company, a small business or an individual, a customs declaration is required for all goods imported into the UK customs territory across international borders. This declaration will list the details of all the goods being imported in the shipment,” CPS said in a statement.

The UK Government dropped 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.

Christopher Ewings, customs clearance manager at Clarksons Port Services, said: “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.”

He said that there were no play to delay the implementation of import controls. “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,” Mr Ewings warned.

CPS is working with organisations to help prepare them for these changes.