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Brexit, new horizons
Due to the considerable interest the Brexit article has generated, we are committed to regularly updating it with the latest regulations. As such, we advise readers to carefully note the edit dates for each segment to ensure they are accessing the most current information.
EDIT: 8.04.2024
Brexit: How ICS 2 Redefines Trade Between the UK and the EU?
In the face of escalating challenges related to security and regulations at the borders of the European Union, a new era in import control was inaugurated on March 1, 2024, with the introduction of an updated system known as ICS 2 (Import Control System 2). The aim of this strategic move is to significantly enhance the efficiency of supervision processes and the enforcement of customs regulations, which directly influences the streamlining of international trade within the EU borders.
The ICS 2 system is a response to the need for increased transparency and security in the flow of goods, enabling better verification and control at the EU borders. A key requirement introduced by this system is the necessity for all transport companies carrying goods from the United Kingdom to the member states of the Union to have an ENS (Entry Summary Declaration). This requirement applies to every vehicle carrying loads, except for those that are empty. It’s important to note that the ENS declaration is a document independent of customs procedures, and its absence, especially on critical routes like Dover – Calais, can lead to severe consequences for carriers. In some cases, vehicles may be detained, drivers fined, and in extreme scenarios, turned back from the port.
Entry Summary Declaration
A crucial date to remember is October 31, 2024, from which the ENS declaration will become a mandatory element of the GMR (Good Movement Reference) creation process. This highlights the need for all participants in trade between the UK and the European Union to prepare and adapt to the new regulations.
New regulations and systems like ICS 2 are aimed not only at enhancing security but also at streamlining and facilitating trade processes. However, transport companies, as well as exporters and importers, must consciously approach these changes and adapt their operations in accordance with the new requirements to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of goods. This, in turn, will contribute to increased trust and stability in trade relations between the UK and the European Union countries related to Brexit.
Tame Brexit – GVMS in practice
EDIT: 22.03.2022
Tame the BREXIT
After a year of functioning in the «post-Brexit» reality, we still have many inquiries from customers and carriers about details related to the import and export of goods between the European Union and the United Kingdom. We have worked it out into prime factors, spending many hours analyzing publications posted on UK government websites and having many insightful conversations with British officials. At your request, we provide this knowledge in the form of a valuable addition to the article form February 10th 2021.
Well, as you knew, until the end of the 2021 custom clearance took place on the basis of the «pre-lodgement» procedure, thanks to which drivers could enter the UK on the export document itself, and the import clearance could be completed up to 30 days from the entry of goods into the UK. Currently, from 2022, on the basis of new regulations, that came into force on the day Great Britain separates from the European Union, transports from EAD (Export Accompanying Document) would not be accepted without import clearance. In this model, the carrier (ferry, train or plane operator) will be required to make sure a declaration has been pre-lodged before the goods board at the EU point of departure. What’s more, you need to generate a GMR (Goods Movement Reference) using the GVMS system.
UK DIRECTION post-Brexit – short manual
When importing goods from the EU into the UK on the basis of an export document (EU/EAD), the GVMS must be supplemented as follows:
- select CUSTOMS DECLARATION,
- add an ERN in which you enter: EPU (three-digit) + ENO (six-digit with one letter) + date in day/month/year format. All this data you should receive from your customs agency or from the client;
- at the time of the crossing, check if your goods have not been selected for inspection
In se of an inspection, you need to book a slot on the nearest one from the Inland Border Facility.
As we mentioned, a separate thing is a Transit Transport, in this case:
- select TRANSIT DOCUMENT
- enter MRN from document T1
- At the time of the crossing, check whether your goods have not been selected for inspection
In case of inspection, you need to book a slot on the nearest one from Inland Border Facility.
Brexit – Further changes are still ahead
Since the beginning of Brexit, changes have been introduced in stages. The next applicable document for the import of goods from the third quarter of this year, i.e. from July 2022, will be the ENS (Entry Summary Declaration). Of course, you can start making ENS now , but for now it is optional.
Entry Summary Declaration
EU DIRECTION post-Brexit – step by step
In the case of exporting goods from the UK to the EU, we also have two options for generating a GMR number.
If the import of goods into the European Union will be covered only by the export document:
- select CUSTOMS DECLARATION
- enter the DUCR number that will start with «2GB» and will be in field number 7 on the EAD
- at the time of the crossing, check whether your goods have not been selected for inspection
In the case of an inspection, you must undergo an additional check at the port
If the importation of goods into the European Union will be covered by a T1 document:
- select TRANSIT DOCUMENT
- enter MRN from document T1
- at the time of the crossing, check whether your goods have not been selected for inspection
In the case of an inspection, you must undergo an additional inspection at the port
At the moment, the EXS declaration is only required if there is no full information about S&S (Safety & Security) in the check-in. The need to make EXS should inform us customs agency.
Empty transport to the EU:
- EXS is currently mandatory
- also generate GMR and enter the number from the EXS declaration
We hope the above information will be helpful to you, and although it may all seem very complicated at first, remember that after a short period of working with the new regulations, you can quickly become adept. Brexit is not just a political rift but also the logistical challenge of the century, presenting us, the specialists in transport and logistics, with entirely new tasks. Good luck!
Brexit, everything you need to know
EDIT: 10.02.2021
Since January 1st 2021, in order to transport goods between the European Union and the United Kingdom one has to go through the import control and full customs clearance.
Brexit, as that’s what we’re talking about, is the colloquial name used for the process of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union structures, initiated by the referendum in 2016. As the third party countries that are not part of the European Economic Area, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland loose privileges and facilities related to movement of people and goods within the EU. One of the main consequences of Brexit is the restoration of the border and all customs formalities between the European Union and the United Kingdom from 01/01/2021. However, many issues with the “EU divorce” are still under negotiation and talks, with some cases implemented in a so-called phase approach.
To substantially reduce the number of controls and procedures, the option of transporting goods under the transit procedure as the United Kingdom remains part of the Common Transit Convention. Such solutions are also used when transporting goods thorough other countries, such as Norway, Switzerland, Turkey or Serbia. By giving goods the “EU customs status” in England, there’s a possibility to transport goods to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland without the obligatory duty payment, in a specified period of time, while using customs lead seals.
EXPORT, how to prepare for the transport of goods from the UE to the UK (Brexit)?
Transporters from the EU can make an unlimited number of journeys to the Great Britain. Due to world pandemic restrictions, when entering the EU it is required to present a negative COVID-19 test, carried out not earlier than 72 hours before the date of crossing the border. Currently, as of January 30th 2021, there is no obligation to present the test result when entering the UK.
A driver, when leaving the EU, should have appropriate customs documents, such as:
- The Community licence;
- Insurance for the vehicle and trailer – (having the International Motor Insurance Card, the so-called Green Card makes it much easier);
- Driver’s professional qualification certificate, driving licence and a passport valid for at least 6 months;
- EORI number – EORI number can be obtained through your local Tax and Customs platform
- GMR ( Goods Movement Record) – the registration number for the vehicle with goods (a transporter is obliged to register their vehicles in advance in the Goods Vehicle Movement Service system (GVMS)
Apart from that, each time the driver must have a correctly completed CMR consignment note, invoices, packaging list, EX.
It is the responsibility of the exporter or importer to choose correct procedure, appropriate tot he transport goods and to provide the carrier with comprehensive documentation. Since July 1st, 2021, other customs procedures will also apply.
- Prenotification (MRN), which is the British entry number of the EORI entrepreneur number, if the declaration is submitted by an importer from the UK. The MRN is the smart border system for handling trucks that use ferries and Eurotunnel crossing. It is possible to report the carriage on the: https://www.douane.gouv.fr website to obtain the barcode with the MRN number. The carrier will automatically be directed to the green or orange line depending on the status of transported goods.
- The Common Transit Customs (CTC) – the driver must have a TAD number, which informs that the goods have been released from the transit procedure by the sender or the LRN number. If the goods weren’t release from the procedure, then a declaration at the customs office is necessary (LRN number can be found on the T1 document).
- The Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission (ATA) – the driver is obliged to have the ATA carnet, which is shown at the border and receives a customs stamp.
- TIR procedure – the driver carries out the transport under TIR Convention:
- In case of using the standard procedure, they must have a certificate of approval of the road vehicle for transport of goods under customs seal – the TIR carnet (after completing the journey, the TIR carnet must be returned to the entrepreneur or the transport company.)
- For the simplified procedure, only the EX export declaration.
- ENS – entry summary declaration.
Cargo documents must be shown when entering the port. An employee at the ticket counter scans EX codes. When using the T1 declaration before unloading, it is necessary to visit the customs office before unloading the goods. The United Kingdom does not announce routine checks of vehicles entering the country, but border authorities may check vehicles for security and customs offences.
IMPORT, transporting goods into and entering the EU empty
Two cabotages from and through the UK are allowed, providing that they are carried out at the course of the European Union and within 7 days of unloading in the UK. The carrier’s task is to present a complete company documentation and drivers must take the mandatory COVID-19 test in Kent. Additionally, since January 1st 2021, it is prohibited to import from the EU any goods of animal origin such as meat, dairy products, or live sea food for personal use (not applicable to goods on trailers). The driver must be aware that the prohibited products may be confiscated during border control. Brexit also reduced the limits on transported alcohol and tobacco products. More details can be found here: https://europa.eu
There also additional impediments such as the ban on parking in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Maidstone, Swale and Thanet. There’s only a 45-minut-long pause allowed. Special places have been designated for longer stops – breaking the rule may result in a wheel block and a 220 GBP fine.
A Carrier importing goods from the UK to the EU, apart from personal and company documents listed above, in the part regarding the export of goods from the EU to the UK, should also have goods documents depending on the customs procedure:
- Prenotification (MRN) – the P2P information ( permission to continue driving), customs declaration, EXS declaration and documents for previously imported goods.
- The Common Transit Customs (CTC) – TAD number – or LRN number (go to the customs agency with this number to collect T1 document)
- The Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission (ATA) – ATA carnet should be handed over to the UK border authorities.
- TIR procedure – TIR carnet – for ordinary procedure
An EXS Safety and Security Declaration (exit summary declaration) is required for each of the above procedures. For goods exported from the United Kingdom, the EXS information are linked to the export declaration, which is the customs declaration. The declaration must be submitted one hour before the planned Eurotunnel journey, and two hours in advance for Dover sea passage. If a driver is returned from France due to lack of safety declaration, contact the customs broker.
Brexit: reality vs. practice
Changes and new regulations may seem very complex, therefore, in case of any doubts, contact dedicated customs agencies directly. This is a new situation, that additionally may change over time, that’s why many agencies don’t keep up with the formalities and customs are delayed. The consequence is hours of waiting for the information, where the Cartier should go with goods for clearance. In such situation, special attention should be paid to the fact that the sender takes care of all the customs formalities and provides necessary information to the carrier in order to prevent situations when additional explanations or documents are required.
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