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Brexit: Customs checks to be simplified in no-deal situation | Brexit: Customs checks to be simplified in no-deal situation |
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Lorries will be able to drive straight off ferries and Channel Tunnel trains without making customs declarations in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the government has announced. | Lorries will be able to drive straight off ferries and Channel Tunnel trains without making customs declarations in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the government has announced. |
New guidance for importers and hauliers says firms would file a simplified form online in advance and pay duty later. | New guidance for importers and hauliers says firms would file a simplified form online in advance and pay duty later. |
Hauliers have warned that no-deal could result in long queues at Channel ports. | Hauliers have warned that no-deal could result in long queues at Channel ports. |
The industry said firms would still not be ready for a "chaotic" EU exit - even with these simplified procedures. | The industry said firms would still not be ready for a "chaotic" EU exit - even with these simplified procedures. |
The UK is due to leave the EU at 23:00 GMT on Friday 29 March - with or without a deal. | The UK is due to leave the EU at 23:00 GMT on Friday 29 March - with or without a deal. |
Theresa May has said she is "determined" to deliver Brexit on time, but a number of cabinet ministers have indicated they would be willing to agree to a short extension to finalise legislation. | Theresa May has said she is "determined" to deliver Brexit on time, but a number of cabinet ministers have indicated they would be willing to agree to a short extension to finalise legislation. |
Under the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) plans, what are being called "transitional simplified procedures" would be introduced for ferry routes from Europe, and for the Channel Tunnel, for at least a year if the UK leaves without a deal. | Under the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) plans, what are being called "transitional simplified procedures" would be introduced for ferry routes from Europe, and for the Channel Tunnel, for at least a year if the UK leaves without a deal. |
These would allow an importer to file a very short customs form - a "simplified frontier declaration" - only two hours before a lorry is due to cross the Channel by ferry, or one hour via the Channel Tunnel. | These would allow an importer to file a very short customs form - a "simplified frontier declaration" - only two hours before a lorry is due to cross the Channel by ferry, or one hour via the Channel Tunnel. |
The truck would then be able to drive straight into the UK without any further paperwork being done at the border. | The truck would then be able to drive straight into the UK without any further paperwork being done at the border. |
The importer would have to update the computer entry within 24 hours to tell HMRC the goods had arrived, and the duty would be payable as much as a month after the shipment had entered the UK. | The importer would have to update the computer entry within 24 hours to tell HMRC the goods had arrived, and the duty would be payable as much as a month after the shipment had entered the UK. |
The temporary system would be reviewed after three months, but is expected to last more than a year. | The temporary system would be reviewed after three months, but is expected to last more than a year. |
The latest guidance applies only to vehicles entering the UK, but additional customs checks may also be introduced for EU-bound lorries arriving at Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk in the event of no-deal. | The latest guidance applies only to vehicles entering the UK, but additional customs checks may also be introduced for EU-bound lorries arriving at Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk in the event of no-deal. |
Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover - home to the UK's busiest Channel port - described the plans as a "common sense move". | Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover - home to the UK's busiest Channel port - described the plans as a "common sense move". |
He said he had long argued that "checks can be done away from the border - so traffic can keep flowing smoothly". | He said he had long argued that "checks can be done away from the border - so traffic can keep flowing smoothly". |
However, Rod McKenzie, from the Road Haulage Association, said the guidance would not help trucking firms. | However, Rod McKenzie, from the Road Haulage Association, said the guidance would not help trucking firms. |
"Business is simply not ready for a chaotic no-deal Brexit," he said. | "Business is simply not ready for a chaotic no-deal Brexit," he said. |
"The systems aren't in place, the staff are not trained, there isn't the time in the day for hauliers and businesses to do all the paperwork," he told the BBC. | "The systems aren't in place, the staff are not trained, there isn't the time in the day for hauliers and businesses to do all the paperwork," he told the BBC. |
Last month, a convoy of 89 lorries took part in two runs from the disused Manston Airport, near Ramsgate in Kent, on a 20-mile route to the Port of Dover as part of an exercise to test plans for border disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit. | Last month, a convoy of 89 lorries took part in two runs from the disused Manston Airport, near Ramsgate in Kent, on a 20-mile route to the Port of Dover as part of an exercise to test plans for border disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit. |
It has emerged that the government plans to pay a law firm £800,000 for advice in case Eurotunnel decides to sue over the effects of Brexit on its business. |