HMRC's latest communications and guidance for post-transition period trading with the EU

This week, HMRC has written for the third time to over 200k VAT registered businesses in Great Britain that currently have trade with the European Union, providing information about what steps must be taken and additional guidance for the new rules from 1 January.

If you have clients that trade with the EU but they are not registered for VAT, they may also find this information useful as they will not be receiving this written communication directly from HMRC.

No matter what the outcome of the trade deal negotiations, all impacted businesses need to prepare for new processes for moving goods between Great Britain and the EU from 1 January 2021, including:

• making sure they have a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
• deciding how they will make customs declarations
• checking if their imported goods are eligible for staged import controls

HMRC EU exit guidance and support tools:

• September/October/November letter to GB VAT registered taxpayers
• Short information videos
• Decision trees on importing and exporting processes
• HMRC’s step by step guide to importing
• HMRC’s step by step guide to exporting
• HMRC will also be running a refreshed social media campaign on its LinkedIn and Twitter channels:
  • Twitter: @HMRCgovuk
  • LinkedIn: HM Revenue & Customs

Accounting for VAT on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021

HMRC has released new guidance on 26 October in respect of goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as moving excise goods from GB to NI, from 1 January 2021.

Further guidance on the Northern Ireland Protocol including details about the new Trader Support Service can be found here.