Customs

Trade Bill passes House of Commons with amendments

By George Crozier on 20 July 2018

MPs have approved the Trade Bill - the companion bill to the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill – which covers non-tariff barriers in relation to ‘transitioning’ the EU’s trade agreements to UK agreements.

Customs bill amendments restrict government’s freedom of manoeuvre

By George Crozier on 18 July 2018

Two new clauses and 50 amendments were passed to the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill (also known as the customs bill) at its report stage this week (Monday 16 July). The most significant of these were amendments tabled by the European Research Group (ERG) of ‘Brexiteer’ Conservative backbenchers designed for the most part to prevent the government agreeing too close a relationship with the EU. These were accepted by the government, though two were opposed by the opposition and some Conservative MPs, and passed by just three votes in each case.

Ministers fail to reach agreement on customs proposals

By George Crozier on 3 May 2018

A much-anticipated meeting of the Brexit cabinet committee to consider Post-Brexit Customs arrangements ended inconclusively on Wednesday, according to reports.

Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill committee – sittings seven and eight

By George Crozier on 12 February 2018

MPs agreed clauses 23-56 of the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill, in debates which took place on Thursday 1 February. Topics covered included procedure for agreeing changes to Customs and VAT rules, the impact of the move from acquisition VAT to import VAT, and factors to be taken account of when considering excise duty rates. No changes were made to the Bill.

Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill committee – sittings three and four

By George Crozier on 31 January 2018

MPs on the Public Bill Committee debated the first 12 clauses of the Bill and heard arguments around use of delegated legislation and factors that should be considered in setting customs tariffs.

Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill committee – sittings five and six

By Hamant Verma on 30 January 2018

MPs agree clauses 13-22 of the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill, in debates which took place on Tuesday 30 January. Topics covered included remedies for dumping, appointment of customs agents and procedures for approving authorised economic operators.

Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill committee hears oral evidence

By George Crozier on 23 January 2018

MPs on the Public Bill Committee heard oral evidence and questioned Customs experts, business representatives and other witnesses as they began their deliberations on the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill (also known as the Customs Bill). The CIOT's submission to the committee was discussed.

Trade remedies regime, powers and impact on business top MP concerns on customs bill

By George Crozier on 19 January 2018

Report on Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill second reading debate in the House of Commons on Monday 8 January 2018.

'Customs Bill' debate shows scale of Brexit challenge facing the Government

By George Crozier on 29 November 2017

17 MPs made speeches, and others contributed through interventions, to the debate on the ‘Ways and Means Resolution’ paving the way for the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill (also known as the Customs Bill). The resolutions were approved, unamended.

Upbeat assessment of Customs’ readiness for Brexit

By Hamant Verma on 27 October 2017

HMRC Chief Executive Jon Thompson and other officials appeared before the PAC to answer questions on Customs and Brexit. Ahead of the hearing he wrote to PAC chair Meg Hillier to update her and the Committee on the delivery of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).