If you are trading with Northern Ireland there is a free-to-use Trader Support Service (TSS) which is now live and ready to support businesses with the changes to Northern Ireland trade, which take effect on 1 January 2021.
Businesses will need to submit declarations which include digital import declarations as well as safety and security declarations, both will be needed for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to ensure that:
tariffs are not paid on trade within the UK
Northern Ireland can benefit from UK Free Trade Agreements
goods destined for Ireland (i.e. the EU) pay tariffs when they should
You’ll be able to use the Trader Support Service to make these declarations. It’s available to all traders, regardless of size, and is free to use. Save your business time and act now whilst there is an automatic allocation of part of the process.
To move goods to or from Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021, (about 8 weeks from the time of this post) you’ll need an EORI number that starts with XI.
To get an EORI number that starts with XI, you must already have an EORI number that starts with GB. If you do not have one, apply for an EORI number that starts with GB as soon as possible.
To save yourself time and effort, sign up to the TSS before 23 November 2020 and you’ll automatically be allocated an XI EORI.
If you do not sign up before 23 November, you may have to make a separate application for an XI EORI.
The Trader Support Service is open to traders, intermediaries and carriers moving goods into and out of Northern Ireland. By registering for the TSS, you will gain access to a programme of free information and training from the Northern Ireland Customs & Trade Academy.
Now is the time to prepare your business for the end of the transition period.