Under the Northern Ireland protocol agreed with the EU as part of the Brexit deal, suppliers of goods from Britain must complete customs checks.
However, hopes are rising for a solution to the problem of checking goods crossing the Irish Sea post-Brexit, according to a new report.
The optimism comes after data from HM Customs & Revenue (HMRC) showed that 85 per cent of goods from the UK mainland stay in factories or shops in the region and do not move south across the border to the Republic of Ireland.
Movement of goods tracked
Exporters are hopeful after a new HMRC database, the EU Access System, showed it could be possible for the checks to be eliminated.
The database tracked the movement of one million goods crossing the Irish Sea in 2021, according to the Guardian.
The database, which the EU has been testing since 7 November 2022, provides real-time customs and commercial data on everything from agrifood to tractor parts and manufacturing components being placed on ferries bound for Northern Ireland ports.
Customs declarations
The UK hopes it will provide EU officials with the data they need to monitor trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and reassure them that systems are in place to prevent the smuggling of substandard goods across the border.
Under the Northern Ireland protocol, suppliers of goods to the region from Britain must complete customs declarations to move goods to Northern Ireland in order to avoid a border on the island of Ireland.
Support for UK exporters
For those exporting to the rest of Europe, the Export Support Service is the Government’s one-stop-shop for advice on European trade.
Traders seeking to start or expand existing global trading operations can ask dedicated experts a range of questions, including:
- Specific advice on exporting to new markets
- What paperwork you will need to sell your goods abroad
- How to make supplementary, export, and customs import declarations
- How to navigate licences, certificates, and authorisations
- Guidance on recognising professional qualifications
- Queries around the rules of origin
- Rules for a specific country or product, such as food, drink, medicinal, pharmaceutical, or animal-derived goods.
How do I use the Export Support Service?
Exporters can ask a question by phone using the details below, or ask a question online here.
- Export support team
Telephone: 0300 303 8955
Textphone: 18001 0300 303 8955
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (excluding public holidays)
Find out about call charges
Need help with Brexit-related matters? Contact us today.