The Transition Period has now ended, and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) , or 'The Deal' has been signed between the UK and EU. As a consequence importing goods from the EU has become more complex,. It may take more time and cost more to complete the required import declarations. We recommend that a customs/import agent [1] is used.
Contents:
- The amount of duty due
- Key actions for departments
- What will my carrier/import agent need to know?
- Evidence of import
- Movement of goods from Northern Ireland
- How do I process the supplier and agent's invoice on CUFS?
- Where can I get more information?
- Reliefs FAQs [2]
Last updated 19 Jan 21
From 1 January 2021, the Free Trade Agreement means that duty-free imports are not automatic. Goods can be imported from the EU with zero tariffs only if the goods originate in the EU. In order to benefit from 0% duty, the University (as importer) must:
Shipments worth less than £135 will not attract customs duty - different rules apply [3].
The University’s VAT registration number: GB 823 8476 09
The University’s EORI number : GB823847609000
Instruct the agent to use Postponed VAT accounting and to make standard customs declarations. [4]
The Commodity Code [5] that is being used (also called HS code).
If relief from Import VAT and/or Import Duty can be claimed (eg scientific equipment [6] or medical exemption [7]), the agent should use the correct Customs Procedure Code and you will need to provide an NIRU Certificate [available from the University Tax Team] and/or an Import VAT Relief Certificate. [7]
You may also need to provide import license certificates [8]
If you wish to claim for preferential duty rates (0%) because of the EU/UK trade deal [9], you need to ask the supplier to provide evidence to the University of the Country of Origin of the goods.This should be via a statement of origin [10].
Once the goods have entered the UK, the customs agent and/or supplier will need to provide the following to the University. You must retain these documents for 6 years:
There are different rules regarding goods being moved into Northern Ireland and for goods moving between GB (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. Please contact the University Tax Team .
It is important that BOTH the supplier invoice and any customs duty amount are coded to the relevant IMPORT codes on CUFS – this is to ensure that the import VAT is captured for postponed VAT Accounting via the VAT return – see the Finance Division’s guidance [12]
Please code any customs duty element of an agent’s / carrier’s invoice to the same IMPORT tax code as the related goods (e.g. supplier’s invoice coded to IMPORT20%, then customs duty coded to IMPORT20%).
University Tax Team |
|
The Government’s Brexit imports and exports helpline |
Tel: 0300 3229434 |
There is also guidance available on the GOV.UK website |
https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export [15] This is a good tool https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk [16] |
Links
[1] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-guidelines/customs-agents
[2] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-transistion-guidelines/brexit-faqs/import-faqs-reliefs
[3] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/postal-imports-under-%C2%A3135
[4] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-guidelines/purchasing-guidelines-end-transition-period/appendix
[5] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-transistion-guidelines/importing-goods-basics/commodity-codes
[6] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/financial-procedures/chapter-9-vat-and-other-taxes/duty-relief/scientific
[7] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/financial-procedures/chapter-9-vat-and-other-taxes/typical-purchases-uk-4
[8] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-guidelines/controlled-goods
[9] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-transistion-guidelines/importing-goods-basics/rules-origin
[10] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claiming-preferential-rates-of-duty-between-the-uk-and-eu
[11] https://www.great.gov.uk/advice/prepare-for-export-procedures-and-logistics/international-trade-contracts-and-incoterms/
[12] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-guidelines/purchasing-guidelines-from-Jan-2021
[13] mailto:VATQueries@admin.cam.ac.uk
[14] https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/brexit-transistion-guidelines
[15] https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export
[16] https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk