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Companies and new customs environment

How can companies get organised to cope with this new customs environment?

All cross-Channel operations will necessarily involve an import process and an export process for the goods concerned, which will take place simultaneously. Operators will have to comply with the customs rules introduced in the EU and the UK and organise operations on both sides of the Channel!

Don't forget, the crossing is a short one. Make sure you plan your operations ahead.

To ensure transport operations run smoothly, the cooperation of all the parties in the supply chain will be necessary. The carrier, the importer/exporter and its customs representative, will need to cooperate and synchronise: the first presenting the documentation of the second, which will often have been drawn up by the third, to be able to board! One missing document and boarding will be impossible.

 Companies will therefore need to ensure that:

• their logistics process is solidly established and that they have clearly identified their partners (suppliers, carriers, customs declarants, etc.)
• the process for the circulation of the documentation relating to their business is in place
• the customs formalities will actually be completed 
• the safety and security declarations have actually been drawn up 

How to ensure smooth border crossings? 

There are 4 basic steps in the French customs import process:

• the carrier must have its international consignment note (CMR)
• the importer/exporter (or its representative) must obtain a movement reference number (MRN) by completing a pre-departure customs declaration or presenting a transit document

Special case: for live animals or products of animal and plant origin, the importer/exporter (or its representative) must declare the goods in TRACE. The carrier will have the original DSCE.

• at the port of embarkation in the UK, the carrier presents and the shipping company checks that all these documents exist and pairs them. The truck can board the ferry.
• during the crossing, the declarant validates the declaration. Customs check the documents. The driver is then given a status represented by a colour a few minutes before disembarking. Green: the truck can leave the terminal. Orange: it must stop for customs checks or stamping of the TIR/ATA carnet, Orange/SIVEP: it must go to the SIVEP for checks.

The British export customs process

Export declarations and safety and security declarations will be required on leaving the United Kingdom for all exported goods.

All the international transit procedures must be applied.  

 There are 3 basic steps in the French customs export process:

• the carrier must have its international consignment note (CMR)
• the importer/exporter (or its representative) must obtain the MRN for the export customs voucher
• at the French port of embarkation, the shipping company checks that all these documents exist and pairs them. The truck can board the ferry. 

The British import customs process

This will be rolled out in three key stages:            

1. From 1 January 2021

Importers must keep a register of goods imported. Operators will then have up to six months to carry out customs clearance. However, for products like alcohol and tobacco, a customs declaration will be required from 1 January.

Physical checks will be organised at the point of destination or at other approved premises for all high-risk live animals and plants, and there will be pre-notification requirement for certain movements, but these goods will not be required to enter the United Kingdom via a Border Control Post (BCP).

2. From April 2021 

All products of animal origin, regulated plants and plant products will require pre-notification to the UK authorities and must be accompanied by correct health documentation. Necessary physical checks will take place at the point of destination or other approved premises until July 2021.

3. From July 2021  

All goods will require complete customs declarations at the point of importation and the corresponding customs duties will have to be paid. Complete safety and security declarations will be required, while products subject to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks will need to be presented at a Border Control Post.