UK Confirms Plans for Customs Checks Between UK and EU, Beginning in 2021

The United Kingdom has “confirmed plans” to put in place customs controls on Dec. 31 for goods traded between the U.K. and the European Union, according to a Feb. 10 press release from U.K. Cabinet Office member Michael Gove. “The UK will be outside the single market and outside the customs union, so we will have to be ready for the customs procedures and regulatory checks that will inevitably follow,” Gove said.

Gove said that, beginning Dec. 31, “all UK exports and imports will be treated equally. This will mean traders in the EU and GB will have to submit customs declarations and be liable to goods’ checks,” the press release said, noting that approach may not apply to trade between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Ireland. Gove also “confirmed that the policy easements put in place for a potential no deal exit will not be reintroduced as businesses have time to prepare,” the press release said.

“Business can prepare for border controls by making sure they have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, and also looking into how they want to make declarations such as using a customs agent,” the press release said. “We will ensure facilitations currently available to rest of the world traders will also be open to those trading between GB and EU.” Businesses may also apply for customs support training until Jan. 31, with about £7.5 million left to disburse out of an initial £26 million.