Brexit will have significant implications for logistics across the UK and EU when changes are introduced in January 2021. B&H Worldwide is well positioned to support your cross-border shipping needs and we want to help our customers with the changes which will be taking place in the next few months.

Here are some of the changes you can expect and what your business can do to prepare for the transition.

INCOTERMS – From 1st January 2021, all buyers and sellers are advised to review their Incoterms for movements between GB/EU. They will need to know who is responsible for custom’s clearances as this will place additional costs and risks on each shipment.

ECONOMIC OPERATORS REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EORI) – From 1st January 2021, EU EORI numbers will no longer be valid in the UK and UK EORI numbers will no longer be valid in the EU. UK traders will be required to register for an EU EORI if they intend to act as an exporter or import within the EU. Also, EU traders will need to register for an UK EORI if they intend to act as an exporter or import within the UK.

DEFERRED UK IMPORT DECLARATIONS – From 1st January 2021, traders will have two options for UK import declarations. They can either use existing procedures as with Rest of the World (ROW) imports or they can use delayed declarations where they keep records of the imported goods but delay the declaration for up to six months from the point of import.

EXPORTS FROM UK VIA ROAD – Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border Service is a new government portal where all shipment information will need to be uploaded by HGV vehicles carrying exports from the UK into the EU. This is to obtain permission to proceed prior to commencing their journey. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) will be used to monitor HGVs on Kent roads and unregistered vehicles will be turned away and fines may be issued.

SAFETY AND SECURITY DECLARATIONS – From 1st January 2021, Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) will not be required for imports from the EU to the UK for the first six months. They will be required for export shipments from the UK to EU as is currently the case with trade with the rest of the world.

POSTPONED VAT ACCOUNTING – From 1st January 2021 UK VAT registered importers will be able to account for import VAT on their VAT return as opposed to paying VAT at the time of importation. This is referred to as Postponed VAT Accounting.