As the Brexit date fast approaches, it seems the only thing we can say with any certainty is that uncertainty continues to plague the issue of our leaving the EU. The negotiations on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU are unresolved and there are three possible outcomes: a delayed Brexit by extending Article 50, a no-deal Brexit or a modified Brexit.
HMRC has published a letter to help businesses prepare for a no-deal Brexit. The letter includes a reminder to ‘Make sure you find out about our EU Exit news as it happens’.
HMRC advises businesses to:
- Register for our email update service at www.gov.uk/hmrc/business-support select ‘business help and education emails’, then ‘EU Exit’.
- Non-VAT registered businesses should also go to www.gov.uk/hmrc/trade-with-the-eu for changes that affect them.
Action point
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, then UK businesses will be responsible for making customs declarations. Businesses that trade with the EU should ensure they register for a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number as soon as possible. In the event of a no deal Brexit, this identification number will be required even if the business appoints a customs agent to assist in making customs declarations.