SEKO prides itself on our close relationships with clients and in helping our clients manage challenges and realize growth opportunities, irrespective of the local regulatory trading environment. While Brexit presents challenges, it is also expected to create new opportunities for companies trading globally. In each case, SEKO has the expertise, services and software solutions to make changes as easy as possible for our clients to manage.

We are continuing to prepare for all post-Brexit scenarios with the intention of eliminating or minimizing any disruption to our clients’ supply chains. This includes working with clients on a one-to-one basis to support their own Brexit preparations. We are also bringing additional Customs expertise into our business to provide information and advice for customers.

You can reach out to our customs team via brexitdesk@sekologistics.com 

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the UK and EU borders will become clearance points. Goods traveling by air or sea will follow the normal process, but will require customs entries at both the EU exit and UK arrival points. As these processes are already geared up for international clearances, the delays should be minimal. The ability to remove air and sea freight to External Temporary Storage Facility (ETSF) border sheds before clearance also helps in this scenario.

Road freight is expected to be the most affected aspect of supply chains if there is no agreement which maintains the current free movement of goods. All road freight shipments in the EU currently require minimal paperwork and ‘light touch’ checks only. However, once the UK leaves the EU, consol trailers will need clearance instructions for all goods carried on board before they are able to move across borders to continue their journey. This is where delays are most likely to occur, even if the UK allows inland clearance depots to remove freight from the arrival ports.

With regards to EU origin goods, these will be treated the same for all EU countries. However, non-EU origin goods coming to the UK via the EU may be more complex, depending on the preference and trading agreements. Availability of the correct preference paperwork and proof of origin will help to minimize any potential delays.  

Ensure you have the correct paperwork at brexitdesk@sekologistics.com 

Assuming there is no change in the 29 March 2019 date on which the UK leaves the EU, the transition period will last until 31^st December 2020. This period is designed to give the UK and the remaining 27 EU Member States time to adjust to new trading partnerships. Until the transition period ends, the UK will remain a fully abiding member of the EU and, as such, abide by its laws and regulations. Within this timeframe, the full new trading partnership or deal will be agreed.

SEKO’s clients are already at an advanced stage in their Brexit preparations to protect their supply chains and withstand, what is regarded by many as the worst case, a ‘no deal’ scenario.

The preparations we have recommended include: 

• Determining the level of risk to their business plan/model in relation to EU trade & Brexit, checking how every part of their business plan may be affected – including indirectly by third party suppliers and services – and stress testing their business to identify potential weak points; 

• Preparing for potential currency fluctuations and looking to lock down prices or buying ahead to establish a buffer for trade, especially for imports; 

• Identifying the impact of potential new import/export tariffs. Import and export sources from or via EU countries could potentially incur higher levels of Duty & VAT thus increasing the price of parts or goods. Again, customers are advised to look at third party impact to avoid any hidden cost. You can look up the potential costs on the HMRC online Tariff page to try to quantify potential increases;

• Consider sourcing products or parts from alternative suppliers outside of the EU. This, again, will ensure you have a contingency plan in place which can be quickly activated if needed.

Contact brexitdesk@sekologistics.com for help with your contingency plan.

As a global logistics service provider with over 120 locations in more than 40 countries, SEKO Logistics has over 40 years of experience of helping customers manage changes to trading environments resulting from a variety of political, regulatory and economic scenarios. Currently, no one fully understands the potential impact of Brexit on supply chains because trade and customs negotiations are ongoing, but our in-house customs specialists and advisors are working alongside our logistics planning specialists to ensure we are best-placed to manage any disruption, and to ensure our customers’ shipments continue to move as planned. As always, we will continue to provide customers with the best advice, solutions and supply chain visibility to manage their business efficiently and to limit any impact as a result of Brexit.    

Get in touch with our customs specialists and advisors at brexitdesk@sekologistics.com 

In a “No Deal” scenario, the UK will need to trade with the EU using World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. This would mean that UK businesses will have to apply Customs, Excise and VAT procedures to trade with the EU.

The UK will need to agree a new Trade Agreement with the EU - this will take time to negotiate and ratify. Whilst that negotiation happens, there will be requirements for all companies who trade with the EU to ensure that legislation is applied to guarantee goods will transit across the UK-EU borders. There will be some changes to the way your business operates that are required. Businesses will have to apply the same rules when trading across EU borders as we currently do for international shipments.

Import Declarations on arrival to the UK:

• Duty, VAT, Excise Tax Payable
• Tariff Code of Goods required
• EORI & VAT number required

Export Declarations on Dispatch to the EU:

• EORI Required
• Tariff Code of Goods required
• Manufactured Origin of Goods Required
• Any certification required for your goods by the EU
• Possible ability of Haulier/Carrier to carry out transit

All items imported or exported from the EU are given a Customs Tariff or Commodity code that identifies the specific item. Each Tariff code is given rates of tax for Duty, VAT & Excise when imported into the EU, including the UK.

In the event of a “No Deal” WTO scenario, the UK government will issue a new Tariff for Importing into the UK when we leave the EU. 

For Imports into the UK currently, 87% of the tariff codes have been given a 0% duty rating to help reduce the impact on the UK Businesses & Consumers. This will help mitigate costs which will increase due to the “No Deal”.

For Exports to the EU, products will incur the full EU trading tariff and thus will incur taxes that are currently not charged.

You could Incur Duty, VAT & Excise Taxes on arrival in the EU, depending on the Manufactured Origin of the goods.

Please contact brexitdesk@sekologistics.com for help in assessing the taxes

To ensure that your company is adequately prepared to import from the EU after Brexit, you will need to review and investigate the following requirements:

• Trade Terms - These will be the fundamental control item which will decide which parts of the Transaction & Transit you are responsible for. If you are buying on Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), you must ensure your seller can complete the transit & customs formalities to you in the UK.
• Tariff Codes - Ensure you or your supplier can provide the correct Customs Tariff commodity codes. This will mean that you pay the correct taxes on import.
• Customs Clearance - Contact your Customs Clearance agent to confirm that they can clear your goods for you and provide guidance. Extra costs will be incurred to complete these clearances. You will also need to apply for transitional simplified procedures (TSP) - a new process which will allow easier UK clearance away from the Ports.
• Supplier & Transit - Discuss with your supplier to make sure you can export your goods out of the EU (get to the exit port). If the supplier cannot, then you will have to take action.
• EORI Number - You will need an EORI number to facilitate clearance when your goods arrive in the UK.
• VAT No. - You will need a VAT number to ensure you can claim back any VAT that you incur while importing from the EU. Deferred VAT accounting will be introduced to ease the burden of upfront costs
• Taxes - Customs & Excise Duty could become payable and you will need to be able to pay these taxes. If you cannot transact these, your shipments could incur delays.

To ensure that your company is adequately prepared to export to the EU after Brexit, you will need to review and investigate the following requirements:

• Trade Terms - These will be the fundamental control item which will decide which parts of the Transaction & Transit you are responsible for. Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) will mean you have to clear the goods & pay any EU taxes. If not on DDP terms, then you must ensure the buyer can clear them.
• Tariff Codes - Ensure you can provide the correct Customs Tariff commodity codes. This will mean that you can export correctly & pay the correct taxes on export into the EU.
• Customs Clearance - Contact your UK Customs Clearance agent to ensure that they can export your goods for you & provide guidance. If your terms are DDP, you will have to be able to clear the goods in the EU. If you are unable to do this, your goods will incur long delays.
• Supplier & Transit - Discuss with your customer to make sure you can export your goods to the destination in the EU (get to the delivery point). If you cannot, then you will have to take action. (See Terms)
• EORI Number - You will need an EU EORI number to facilitate clearance when your goods arrive in the EU on DDP terms.
• Vat No. - You will need an EU VAT number to facilitate clearance and pay any VAT that you incur on arrival in the EU.
• Deferment - Customs & Excise Duty could become payable in the EU and you will need to be able to pay these taxes. If you cannot transact these, your shipments could incur delays.