The basics

If you make taxable supplies (standard rated, reduced rated or zero rated), you have to account to HMRC for the VAT due. This is output tax. You’ll normally charge the VAT to your customers. If your customers are registered for VAT and the supplies are for use in their business, the VAT is their input tax. In the same way, VAT charged to you on your business purchases is your input tax. As a registered person, you can reclaim from HMRC as much of the VAT on your purchases and imports, as relates to the standard rated, reduced rated and zero-rated supplies you make. In principle, you can’t reclaim VAT which relates to any non-business activity or to any exempt supplies you make.

We posted a blog last year on the HMRC project to upgrade the ageing CHIEF system which handles import and export declarations, detailing how this project has taken on extra significance in the face of Brexit.

Since then we have attended several CDS workshops with the project stakeholders, several association meetings and started developing the required changes in our own software. We now understand the ability to process export declarations will now not be ready by the July go-live, but with the new Brexit transition agreement, how will this effect you?

On the 15th of August the Government released their policy paper 'Future Customs Arrangements: a future partnership paper' on proposed customs arrangements with the EU post-Brexit. They proposed a 'limited-time interim period' where both UK and EU business would benefit from time to fully implement the new customs arrangements, in order to avoid a cliff-edge.

The document identifies two broad approaches to a border with the EU. The first approach 'a highly streamlined customs arrangement' involves utilising the UK’s existing third country processes (NES export declarations to HMRC) for UK-EU trade. The second approach 'a new customs partnership with the EU' would seek to align customs with the EU in a way that removes the need for a UK-EU customs border. 

On the surface, option one seems the most likely of these two options and would certainly be the fallback position, should the 'alignment approach' fail. Under this scenario port infrastructure would look to be improved for 'as frictionless a customs border as possible', but Export and Import goods would need to be declared to HMRC, as per current third country rules.

HMRC has estimated there are 192,000 exporters in the UK who ship goods to EU countries, but have never shipped outside the EU to third countries. If your company fits into this category, read the guide below to find what you would need to do to declare goods for export.

The Government has today published a paper – Future customs arrangements: a future partnership paper. This is the first in a series of papers on the new deep and special partnership the government wants to build with the EU.

Supply chain between the UK and Europe is an area that will be greatly affected over the coming years by the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Though the exact nature of the changes will not become apparent for some time, mapping supply chains can help companies understand both the risks and the opportunities these changes might bring.

Whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations, it is wise to start that planning now, to ensure you remain competitive in the changing market. Early and effective scenario planning combined with analysis of the potential consequences of a post-Brexit economy might even improve your position.

According to the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) A survey of 2,111 supply chain managers found that 32% of UK businesses who work with suppliers on the continent are actively looking for alternative suppliers based in the UK as a response to Brexit.

Is 'onshoring' an option for you?

Having called a snap election, the Conservative Party is currently 21 points ahead in the first election poll since the announcement. On news of the election, the pound rose to a six-month high, largely due to speculation that five more years until the next election would lead to a 'softer' Brexit. How would a 'Soft' Brexit effect UK importers and Exporters?

CDS stands for the 'Customs Declaration Services' programme and is a large scale implementation currently being undertaken by HMRC to replace the CHIEF servers (these are the servers which currently process all import, export & freight declarations). The new CDS system is due to be rolled out in December 2018, but the project has just been given an unofficial amber-red status by HMRC.

At a Customs, International Trade and Excise Committee workgroup, HMRC reported to the excise industry on their current contingencies for Brexit and the likelihood that the EMCS (Excise Movement Control System) will remain in place.

HMRC share thier concerns with software suppliers about potential post-Brexit transit disruption. 

As a software supplier to the import/export industry and as a member of several associations, i2i Infinity often attend meetings organised by HMRC or meetings in which representatives of HMRC are guest speakers.