Brexit

New arrangements as UK leaves single market and customs union

By George Crozier on 9 January 2021

The UK and EU agreed a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on Christmas Eve. This was passed by the UK Parliament on 30 December and took effect at the end of the following day as the UK left the single market and customs union at the end of the Brexit transition period (also known as the implementation period). While the agreeing of a deal (even a fairly limited one) has been widely welcomed, the rushed process, requiring businesses to adopt new ways of working at a few days notice, has faced criticism.

January excise changes should prompt due diligence shake-up

By Contributor on 23 December 2020

January 2021 will bring an end to the main opportunities for alcohol excise duty fraud and must mean changes to HMRC’s anti-fraud Due Diligence Condition, writes Alan Powell, excise specialist and a member of the CIOT's Indirect Taxes Committee

Brexit customs and VAT bill sails into law unopposed

By George Crozier on 23 December 2020

Legislation to establish the special VAT and customs regime that will apply in Northern Ireland from next month has completed its passage through the UK Parliament ahead of the end of the Brexit Transition Period.

Brexit VAT and customs changes rushed through Parliament

By Hamant Verma on 11 December 2020

Legislation to establish the special VAT and customs regime that will apply in Northern Ireland from next month, and to scrap low value consignment relief across the UK, has begun its passage through the UK Parliament ahead of the end of the Brexit Transition Period at the end of the month.

CIOT/IFS debate finds agreement that Brexit is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to craft and simplify VAT and customs duties.

By Hamant Verma on 10 December 2020

The UK has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to craft and simplify VAT and customs duties after Brexit, agreed tax experts at a CIOT/IFS ‘virtual’ debate on ‘VAT and Customs Duties after Brexit’.

'Chicks’ and balances on new border regime

By Hamant Verma on 27 November 2020

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is looking at what happens at the UK Border when the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020. The Committee has questioned senior officials from a number of government departments on the Government’s preparedness for the end of the transition period.

It will be alright on the freight, says minister

By Hamant Verma on 16 October 2020

The Treasury Committee is looking at the UK’s proposed customs policies and procedures once the transition period expires on 31 December 2020.

Alarm at unanswered questions on Brexit and borders so close to end of transition period

By Contributor on 8 October 2020

The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol (“The Protocol”) is legally effective from 1 January 2021 irrespective of whether a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is agreed or not. And with the deadline approaching fast, it is alarming that there are so many unanswered questions.

‘Double the existing number of customs agents will be required’ next year

By Hamant Verma on 25 September 2020

The House of Commons Treasury Committee has held an evidence session to look at the UK’s proposed customs policies and procedures once the transition period expires on 31 December 2020. Witnesses in the session on Tuesday (22 September) were Allie Renison, Head of EU and Trade Policy, Institute of Directors (IOD); Elizabeth de Jong, Director of Policy, Logistics UK; Tim Reardon, Head of EU Exit, Port of Dover; and Dr Anna Jerzewska, trade expert.

‘No-deal’ statutory instruments debated

By Hamant Verma on 17 May 2019

A delegated legislation committee considered three statutory instruments that will be needed in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit: