In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. We also update you on recent developments in relation to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland and HMRC is writing to traders warning that access to the CHIEF customs system will be removed if they do not engage with the migration to the Customs Declarations Service (“CDS”) for imports.
Update on the Protocol
The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill's final day of committee stage in the House of Lords was held earlier this month on Monday 7 November with further evidence hearings held on 9 November. Read the Institute’s submission to the House of Lords inquiry into the Bill and other evidence submissions including from political parties, civil society, business groups and academics. The Bill is currently at Report Stage.
Update on movement to the CDS
HMRC is in the process of writing to a small number of traders who continue to using the CHIEF system for import declarations and have not yet moved to the CDS. Traders are being given 10 working days to move new import declarations to the CDS. If they continue to use CHIEF to make declarations after ten days, HMRC will begin the process of removing access to making new import declarations on CHIEF.
Note that this does not affect any trader who has permission from HMRC to continue to use CHIEF for imports. This also does not impact on export declarations on CHIEF.
Traders will still be able to use CHIEF to access existing declarations, make supplementary import declarations if needed and make new export declarations. Those taking steps to move to the CDS but who require a little additional time to do so are still able to apply for an extension to use CHIEF, as long as this is backed up by a business reason.
Help and support for CDS is available on GOV.UK as well as HMRC’s YouTube videos.
Miscellaneous updated guidance etc.
The latest guidance updates, and publications relevant to EU exit are as follows: