Important info for all the SMEs wishing to use the HMRC customs grant.
So many companies ask me for a quote (needed to submit the application) for help with “learning how to submit customs declarations”.
/1
There are two elements to learn – how to collect customs info (commodity code, origin, value, CPC etc) and how to then enter it into CHIEF/CDS.
These are two separate sets of skills - normally done by different entities: one by the company and one by the broker.
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Both are incredibly important. Both can lead to non-compliance.
The grant is 2k.
You can either get a bespoke service where the advisers work only with you or a group course.
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The chances of learning the entire A to Z process, from scratch, to the point where you can actually do it yourself, for 2k are zero.
/4
Most companies that tell you they can provide that service provide generic courses where for example, you won't learn how to classify your products but will get a high-level description of the tariff and commodity codes.
/5
Not to say that there aren't some brilliant companies out there but it's really a tall order.
I'm saying this to manage your expectations.
/6
Take the 2k and learn about one of these areas properly. Get yourself to the point where you're really comfortable with customs (even that is a lot for 2k but it's still possible).
/7
You risk falling for a sales pitch if you're asking ppl if they can teach you everything in 1 or 2 days.
Also, 1-2-1 training sessions tend to work much better.
/8
You don't want to learn the history of the HS codes. You want to learn how to classify products in your industry - your specific products.
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And while the main principles are the same, each industry has its own quirks.
Learn what you need and take time to learn it properly. It's not about just getting a certificate.
/end
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This is a truly historic day - I disagree with David (and @pmdfoster). And that doesn't happen often!
Customs and trade facilitation chapters in FTAs are quite generic. The actual, tangible cooperation and facilitation often occur informally, through a bilateral dialogue.
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for me, it’s not a question of how often the Customs Committee meets but the conversations that take place on a completely different level – customs administration to customs administration, officer to officer.
/2
There are two completely different levels here:
1⃣ customs, SPS and border formalities and requirements
Take it from someone who spends part of the time working on export promotion strategies in various countries around the world that “getting more of them to export” is not as easy as it sounds.
Having an FTA in place is step one. And it doesn’t mean very much without supporting policies. I wonder if (I hope) the Gov is well aware of this.
/2
In order to achieve any returns on this investment (negotiating and FTA) further, far less “sexy”, policies are required: i.e. around awareness, guidance, access to financing etc.
/3
At the heart of this entire mess is one thing and one thing only:
How do you communicate the scale of the new barriers to trade that are going to be introduced when for political reasons you are obliged to spin it as liberalisation?
It's not that the UK Gov didn't realise what was coming.
HMRC, DEFRA and other departments know these 3rd country rules inside out. They've got experts of their own in customs, SPS and everything else.
/2
These Departments were well aware of requirements such as RoOs or health certificates.
But for some reason, whether it was lack of communication, deliberate decision or something else, that knowledge did not translate into a clear message from the UK Gov.
/3
Keep getting asked what are the chances HMRC will find out if you use an incorrect commodity code or declare preferential origin when you can't substantiate it.
And it usually makes me think of this TikTok
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More importantly, though, I'm not entirely sure companies understand how important a "good compliance record" is in the long run.
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If you look at the UK Trader Scheme, or other simplification etc a good compliance record is always a requirement.
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