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Q&A readout
Customs
- What are the different categories of goods that exist?
For customs purposes there are different rules depending on whether your goods are classed as 'controlled' or 'non-controlled'. From 1 January to 31 December 2021, if you import goods which are not controlled into Great Britain from the EU, you can record the goods in your own records without getting authorisation in advance. And you'll need to follow normal import declaration rules for controlled goods imported into Great Britain from the EU from 1 January to 31 December 2021. You can find out more about the different categories of goods, and the processes to follow, at this page: List of goods imported into Great Britain from the EU that are controlled - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Is it correct that an ENS declaration will be issued each time we do a transaction, or will it be a one time declaration and the company will have it for a specific time?
ENS is required for each individual item and the requirement is at consignment level and
cannot be used for multiple goods.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods
- What will happen regarding the requirements for IUU controlled products? Several countries have issues with the processing statement, our authorities can't issue the document which prevents us from sending fish products to GB. Is there any discussion about postponing that requirement?
The requirement to provide all IUU documents including catch certificates, processing statements and proof of storage commenced on 1st Jan 2021. We are aware of some issues with countries not providing all these documents and are working to resolve this. The Port Health Authority (PHA) is the competent authority for containerised fish imports to GB and will continue to take a pragmatic approach to imports of fish and fish products.
- Does the original EHC have to be signed? EHC from the EU is done in TRACES and approved by the veterinarian electronically.
Yes, the original EHC must be signed and physically accompany the consignment to the UK. A digital solution that connects to TRACES is in development in the longer term. The certifying officer from the exporting nation will inspect the goods, sign and issue the EHC. The original paper version will then need to travel with the goods.
Tariffs and Rules of Origin
- So far we haven't identified any difference in tariff codes of EU and GB for our product portfolio (mainly chapters 84 and 85). Do you know if there are big changes coming in future? We are using the same tariff codes for both export from the EU country and import to GB now.
There are no plans for the UK to diverge from the same commodity code structure as the EU for the foreseeable future.
- Will there be a cumulation added to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?
Just like the current interim Goods Agreement, the Rules of Origin Protocol in the comprehensive FTA allows for the cumulation of goods from the EU and PEM signatories (listed in Annex III to the Protocol) and the cumulation of EU working and processing, providing that working or processing in the exporting Party goes beyond insufficient
processing (Article 7), and that there are FTAs between all three parties. For future mutual trading partners, the Parties may, subject to approval of and subsequent conditions set by the Joint Committee, cumulate inputs from other non-Parties that are not signatories to the PEM Convention or in the EU. Details on this arrangement can be found
on Welcome to GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UKCA Marking
- Is it correct that you can continue in the UK market with the CE mark (until the future deadlines) ONLY if your product had CE mark approved BEFORE Jan 2021? At least with medical devices it is so, right? If so, are they still some exceptions to this?
Goods placed on the market for sale in GB before 1 Jan 2021 may continue to be sold with only the CE mark. Please check for specific guidance on medical devices.
- Will previously purchased, CE certified equipment still be OK to continue with after 2023 or has this to be updated by the Importer/manufacturer? As a rental supplier we hold CE certified stock for up to 10 years.
To clarify further - your CE certified equipment may continue to be used or rented to customers without any additional requirements.
Further guidance on using the UKCA and UKNI markings can be found at:
- Using the UKCA marking - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Using the UKNI marking - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Placing manufactured goods on the market in Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can email us at GoodsRegulation@beis.gov.uk
Frontier workers
- Who is a frontier worker?
You are eligible for a frontier worker permit if, before 1 January 2021:
- you were commuting regularly to work in a country or countries where you do not live
- the countries where you were commuting to work are in the EU or EFTA (European
Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
If you do not meet these conditions or if you are providing services, you may need a visa or permit to work in an EU or EFTA country where you do not live.
Read our guide Travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Each country listed includes links to the London embassy and government department(s) for the country where you want
to work.
For further information please see Frontier workers in EU and EFTA countries - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Northern Ireland
- Anything upcoming to say about Northern Ireland? We are struggling with deliveries from EU to NI (Intra Community Supply) that has to be transited through GB.
For further guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland please see here - Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)