Customs formalities related to Brexit

On January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union. Despite the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, this change implies an obligation to fulfill customs formalities on all import and export goods. 

Different administrative processes must be carried out so that your goods could cross between borders without limitation. Thanks to our expertise as an approved freight forwarder, we simplify the customs clearance procedure for you. 

Management of British customs formalities with the GVMS 

Like the smart border system of French customs, a customs information system was also set up by the British authorities for the management of customs formalities at various crossing points of the cross-Channel border. Called Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), it has been deployed since January 1, 2021, to manage transit declarations. 

The use of the GVMS is mandatory for import and export for all British customs clearance formalities (import declaration, transit declaration, export declaration). It makes it possible to obtain an active Goods Movement Reference (GMR), the key that assures the free movement of goods at the border. This GMR includes import customs formalities within the EU as well as UK export customs formalities. 

So that your freight is not blocked at the border, we accompany you in all the procedures regarding Brexit. We deal with the customs formalities, including creating a GVMS account and obtaining the GMR. By trusting us, you can be sure to avoid delays in the procedures and to reduce the associated administrative formalities.  

It should be noted that no tariff is applicable for the movement of imported goods into the EU and the UK, provided that they comply with the Rules of Origin (RoO). For this, proof of their preferential origin including a declaration of origin provided by the exporter and records meeting the criteria defined by the “Importers knowledge” must be presented to the customs office. 

Other post-Brexit customs requirements 

Since January 1, 2022, the pre-notification and the control of products of animal origin (POAO) are intended to be mandatory based on the British IPAFFS system.  

From July 1, 2022, will also be required: 

• Declarations of Safety and Security (DOSS) for any import into the UK 
• an export health certificate for POAO 
• a pre-notification for sanitary and phytosanitary products in the British IPAFFS system  
• physical checks of the animals, POAO, plants and plant products through border inspection posts