HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced an extension to already announced arrangements for traders to use Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP).
In a report published late last week, the regulator said TSP would make importing easier should the UK leave without a deal in April.
According to the document, this will include an extension of the date when the first supplementary customs declarations must be submitted, and any import duties must be paid, to 04 October 2019. Likewise, the Government will make TSP available to all UK ports if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
To register for TSP, businesses first need to register for an EORI number. An EORI number is only currently used for businesses trading outside the EU, but will be required for all countries should the UK leave the EU with no deal.
Once registered, businesses will be able to transport goods from the EU into the UK without having to make full customs declarations at the border or pay import duties straight away.
This, HMRC says, will support businesses and give them more time to prepare for standard import processes.
The extension forms part of a packet of measures designed to make importing and exporting easier for UK businesses should the UK leave the EU without a trading agreement in place.
Announcing the scheme in February, Treasury Minister Mel Stride said: “Leaving the EU with a deal remains the government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, a responsible government must plan for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario. Businesses and citizens should ensure they are similarly prepared for leaving the EU.
“HMRC is helping businesses get prepared and, amongst other significant communications, has written 3 times to affected businesses, each time stepping up the advice and encouraging them to take action.”