HMRC has announced that businesses will be able to use simplified declarations and postpone payment of duties under Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) if there is a no-deal Brexit (although there will be additional information needed for controlled goods). The measures will be reviewed after 3 to 6 months and businesses will be given 12 months’ notice if they are to be withdrawn.

Businesses can sign up for TSP online from 7 February at www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing but they will need an EORI number to do this.  Further information, including which ports TSP applies to, is available at www.gov.uk/hmrc/eu-simple-importing. The list does include Hull, Tilbury, Dover, Immingham (Hull) and Felixtowe.

HMRC has written to all VAT registered businesses (copy letter here) so most construction firms and product manufacturers should have received this directly.