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Exploring small traders' attitudes towards the Single Trade Window
HMRC commissioned qualitative research with small traders to explore their attitudes towards the Single Trade Window.
Form C81 – Amendment to an Export Declaration
Transporting goods between Great Britain and the EU by RoRo freight: guidance for hauliers
Check if a business holds Authorised Economic Operator status
Customs declaration volumes for international trade in goods in 2021
Data tables for customs declaration volumes for international trade in goods in 2021
Additional duties on goods originating in Russia and Belarus
Reference Documents for Customs (Additional Duty) (Russia and Belarus) Regulations 2022
UK sanctions relating to Russia
Financial sanctions: guidance
Financial sanctions, Libya
Financial sanctions, Russia
Who is subject to financial sanctions in the UK?
Guidance on the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
OFSI General Licences
Single Window
Publication of the UK Single Trade Window (STW) Consultation Paper
We are writing to inform you of the government's consultation on the UK Single Trade Window (STW), which was published today on GOV.UK. The consultation paper outlines the UK government's proposed approach to four key areas where legislation is expected to be required to enable the full functionality of the STW: data collection, use, and sharing within government; government visibility and use of supply chain data; facilitating trade through targeted international data sharing with other countries and territories; and transitioning to the STW as the sole point of entry for border data remittances. The UK Gov welcomes any thoughts or feedback you may have so that we can ensure the STW improves UK businesses' ability to import and export by lowering costs and burdens, thereby driving economic growth. If you and your organization want to submit a position paper, we can assist you.
HMRC commissioned qualitative research with small traders to explore their attitudes towards the Single Trade Window.
Executive Summary
The UK government has promised to create a Single Trade Window (STW) to help traders work with border agencies. A UK STW could offer a single data portal where traders and agents can send data to the government once in a standard format to meet import, export, and transit regulations. It was important to research how the STW would affect small traders' businesses. People were asked about self-declaration, pre-population, multiple filings, and sharing supply chain data with the government.
HMRC hired Kantar Public to interview small traders. 57 small businesses that imported or exported goods were interviewed. The sample included a variety of business sizes (though all traders had fewer than 50 employees), declaration methods, trading patterns, and trading frequency. Between 2 February and 15 March 2022, phone or video call interviews lasted 45 to 60 minutes. This research was done in addition to a GOV.UK Discussion Paper on Single Trade Window policy proposals (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-single-trade-window-discussion-paper/uk-single-trade-window-policy-discussion-paper).
Insights
Small traders liked the STW and wanted an easier-to-use system. The following influenced traders' opinions of STW:
Customs is viewed differently. People unfamiliar with Customs didn't know that declarations are part of the process, that they were paying someone else to do it, and that they could do it themselves. Not all traders chose to outsource declarations.
Even traders with some import and export declaration experience felt overwhelmed by the process. Because they didn't understand the process or what was expected of them, or because they didn't trust themselves, these traders thought they could be more productive elsewhere. They decided outsourcing declarations was a good investment. Outsourcing meant less work and fewer chances of late shipments. Traders often collected their own declaration data (like commodity codes) and understated their knowledge.
Few traders interviewed used commercial software to file their own declarations. Most of these traders had HMRC or carrier training. Once they understood the system, they could easily submit their own declarations.
Even though not all traders would be affected by the single point of entry and data sharing between government departments (because they only dealt with HMRC), those who would feel that less duplication would be a plus.
Traders' views on self-declaration, pre-population, multiple filings, and supply chain data linking
Self-declaration, pre-population, multiple filing, and linking supply chain data to government systems could be included. See Appendix A for respondent definitions.
Not all traders liked self-declaration. People wanted to know if the benefits of learning the system were worth the time required.
Those who did their own declaration paperwork saw business benefits. They wanted more import/export control and cost savings. Sometimes traders thought self-declaration could help international trade.
Small businesses familiar with Customs wanted to know if self-declaration would save time or money. They did it to have more control, save money, and see all their paperwork in one place:
Traders with small volumes or who only use Fast Parcel Operators thought self-declaration could mean more work, so they didn't use it because it didn't fit their business or skill set. For traders to use self-declaration, it must make the process easier enough to be worth their time to learn
When self-declaration began, traders thought they'd need help from HMRC and others. They want simple, searchable guides, a phone helpline, seminars, and webinars
Pre-population saved time and reduced duplication. Multi-filing wasn't popular. Most traders thought this feature posed more risks than benefits and made things harder to control and simplify
Linking supply chain data to government systems was one way to improve automation. Larger small businesses (20 to 49 employees) were eager to see supply chain data integrated with other systems.
Essentials
Small traders provided many ideas for improving the STW.
Small traders may not understand the STW and self-declaration if they aren't taught about them.
Self-declaration had moderate benefits for those who didn't submit declarations in-house. A trader who tries self-declaration to save time or money is less likely to try a paid service.
Self-declaration may give traders more control and save them money, but research shows it may make it harder to get help at the border or by phone. Businesses that do these things for traders are highly valued because of delays and reliability.
Pre-population can show traders how STW functionality can make self-declarations faster over time.
Traders want multi-filing to be optional and submissions labeled by author, with price and supplier information hidden.
Traders thought if self-declaration systems worked with trader and carrier software, they wouldn't have to enter the same information twice. Small traders who use software would benefit from this.
Outsourcing is driven by difficult requirements and limited help. Small traders want clear STW guidance.
Customs
Form C81 – Amendment to an Export Declaration
On 25 July 2022, Form C81, which declarants use to amend their export declaration, will be replaced. The C81 can currently be submitted to HMRC in three ways:
Paper documents by post;
Electronic versions by email; or
Digital Mail Service.
These will all be replaced by a form to be submitted via the UK Trade Info website.
Guidance for haulage companies and commercial drivers moving accompanied (self-drive) RoRo freight and unaccompanied RoRo freight between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the European Union.
Use this list to see if a business holds Authorised Economic Operator status with HMRC. The list of Authorised Economic Operators has been updated.
This publication details the number of customs declarations submitted to HMRC for international trade in goods in the calendar year 2021.This is an ad hoc statistical release that provides the number of customs declarations submitted to HMRC for goods moved between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) in calendar year 2021. It also provides information on the number of these customs declarations by calendar month, declarant representation, location of entry/exit, and type of declaration.
The following data tables contain the number of customs declarations for international trade in goods in 2021.
Guidance on imports from Russia and Belarus requiring additional duties and terms of exemption. Added further additional duties implemented on imports from Russia and Belarus.
Find out about the additional duties which apply on certain goods originating from Russia and Belarus. Following legislation to increase the number of Russian and Belarusian goods subject to additional duties, this page has been updated with new versions of the Reference Documents detailing the affected goods.
Sanctions
This page provides guidance on the UK’s sanctions regime relating to Russia. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2022 and the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 13) Regulations 2022
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions relating to Russia continue to operate effectively. You should also review the following regulations to find out any changes made to the Regulations:
the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2020
the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2020
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2022
the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 13) Regulations 2022
This sanctions regime is aimed at encouraging Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine. Those persons who are designated under this regime are included on the UK sanctions list.
Find out more about other UK sanctions regimes.
Information on the approach OFSI takes to financial sanctions including sector and regime specific guidance, as well as information on monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions. Updated with Russia guidance, July 2022
Libya is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document contains a current list of designated persons and information on relevant regulations Updated with ‘HM Treasury Notice, Libya, 20/07/2022’
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ensure sanctions relating to Russia are implemented effectively after the UK leaves the EU. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Russia, 20/07/2022
A guide to the current consolidated list of asset freeze targets, and a list of persons named in relation to financial and investment restrictions under the Russia regulations. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Russia, 20/07/2022 and HM Treasury Notice, Libya,
Guidance on the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Guidance updated to reflect the provisions in the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2022.
Details of General Licences issued by OFSI Updated with INT/2022/2009156