Scoop: we have obtained the government's plan for post-Brexit border checks with the EU 1/
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
In a 29-slide Powerpoint presentation, HMRC has been circulating its plan for how to avoid border disruption when Britain fully quits the EU on Jan 1. 2021, deal or no-deal 2/ 
The document doesn't shy away from what's required. This sentence is key. The UK knows it must avoid trucks arriving at the EU border without the right customs paperwork. If they do, there's the risk of major queues and supply chain chaos 3/
So how do you stop a driver turning up at Dover without the right paperwork?
The government will use a new and, as yet, untested IT system -- the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) 4/
The government will use a new and, as yet, untested IT system -- the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) 4/
How will it work?
Before a UK driver is allowed to cross to the EU, it will need to show that it has a valid reference number from the GVMS, known as a Goods Movement Reference (GMR).
You get a GMR by putting all the necessary data about what you're carrying into the GVMS 5/
Before a UK driver is allowed to cross to the EU, it will need to show that it has a valid reference number from the GVMS, known as a Goods Movement Reference (GMR).
You get a GMR by putting all the necessary data about what you're carrying into the GVMS 5/
The highlighted part is critical.
RoRo is `roll-on, roll-off' ports like Dover. So a truck will have to show it has a valid GMR before it can get approval to proceed to the port.
Will trucks be held in lorry parks away from the border to check these? We await details 6/
RoRo is `roll-on, roll-off' ports like Dover. So a truck will have to show it has a valid GMR before it can get approval to proceed to the port.
Will trucks be held in lorry parks away from the border to check these? We await details 6/
Compare to the status quo.
Currently, UK trucks just drive to Dover, get on the ferry, and arrive in Calais, with minimal documentation requirements.
The English Channel is effectively a motorway. But as this powerpoint shows, Brexit turns it into a proper border crossing 7/
Currently, UK trucks just drive to Dover, get on the ferry, and arrive in Calais, with minimal documentation requirements.
The English Channel is effectively a motorway. But as this powerpoint shows, Brexit turns it into a proper border crossing 7/
Even if Britain and the EU sign a free-trade agreement, this will be the system.
It is the consequence of leaving the EU's customs union -- all goods will require customs declarations. And the EU says it won't allow a truck in without a declaration 8/ bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
It is the consequence of leaving the EU's customs union -- all goods will require customs declarations. And the EU says it won't allow a truck in without a declaration 8/ bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
In sum, deal or no-deal, trucks will have to go through the headache of a new bureaucratic process, which relies on an IT system that is yet to be built, from a govt with a poor record on IT projects.
Get it wrong, and the UK suffers economic pain 9/
Get it wrong, and the UK suffers economic pain 9/
This HMRC document begins to fill the truck-sized hole we reported last week. But still many questions remain... 10/
E.g. How will the government physically stop trucks arriving at ports without correct paperwork? What enforcement powers will they have?
When will the GVMS system be built? Will it be tested before it is used? HMRC declined to answer those questions when I asked today 11/
When will the GVMS system be built? Will it be tested before it is used? HMRC declined to answer those questions when I asked today 11/
And no doubt customs and trade experts like @DmitryOpines, @AnnaJerzewska, @DavidHenigUK, @SamuelMarcLowe, @CapacityNow, @vivamjm will also have questions about this system... which I will happily put to HMRC 12/
To conclude, some realism from HMRC about what has to be done to make Brexit work.
But also concern about new IT project, unprepared biz, extra costs of complying, and Brexit generally making life harder for key arteries of the U.K. economy ends/ bloom.bg/38bEZLv
But also concern about new IT project, unprepared biz, extra costs of complying, and Brexit generally making life harder for key arteries of the U.K. economy ends/ bloom.bg/38bEZLv
