Register for Customs

 

If you move goods to, from or through Great Britain (GB), after the transition period you need to register for Customs. You can do this by getting an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

 

From 1 January 2021, Northern Ireland traders will be considered as traders established in the customs territory of the European Union. In relation to current Northern Ireland EORI numbers, it is envisaged that a new County code of ‘XI’ will replace ‘GB’ from 1 January 2021.

 

 

Decide who will submit your customs declarations

 

 

Customs formalities will apply after the transition period when trading in goods with GB. This means you will have to submit customs declarations. You, or an agent acting on your behalf, must have the facility to lodge electronic customs declarations to Revenue.

 

 

Know the key data required for a customs declaration

 

 

Commodity code

 

This code is determined by your specific product. It is used to determine the import duties you will be liable to pay. It is important you have your products correctly classified.

 

Customs value of your goods

 

The customs value of your goods must be entered on your customs declaration. It is made up of the invoice price plus the cost of transport and insurance.

 

Origin of your goods

 

You need to know where the product you are importing originates from. The country of origin of the goods is used to determine the amount of duty payable. This information should be provided by your supplier.

 

See Brexit effects – free trade agreement for information concerning possible effects of Brexit on trade under free trade agreements.

Note – The country of origin may not be the same country that you are importing from.

 

These are some of the key data you will need for a customs declaration. You should ensure you are familiar with the other information you will need. You will find further information in:

 

• Automated Import System (AIS) – preparing import declarations
• and
• AEP trader guides and appendices – preparing export declarations.

 

 

You may need to provide supplementary documentation to support your declaration

 

You may be asked to provide any of the following, depending on your type of products:

 

• commercial invoice
• bill of lading or airway bill
• packing list
• veterinary or plant health certificates
• licenses.

 

Making payments

 

Once you have completed your EORI customs registration you will be automatically assigned a Trader Account Number (TAN). This is a secure channel through which you can make payments, for example pay import duties. You will find further information in payment methods.

 

• Cash – To lodge credit to this account you must transfer funds from your bank account to Revenue’s bank account.
• Deferred – A deferred payment authorisation allows you to import goods in one month and defer payment of duties until the fifteenth of the following month.

There are additional customs simplifications and procedures available under the Union Customs Code (UCC). These can help to further minimize the potential negative impacts of Brexit and support the efficient and timely flow of trade.