Government urges all businesses to appoint a freight forwarder post-Brexit

The government is urging all businesses to appoint a freight forwarder to handle post-Brexit customs decelerations for imports and exports.

The recommendation comes in the form of a letter sent out by the government today to all VAT-registered traders highlighting the appointment of a third-party as an action  businesses need to take to continue trading with the EU from 1st January 2021.

Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Directors General, Borders and Trade, HMRC said: “New customs and tax rules will not change or go away go away if a Free Trade Agreement is negotiated, so businesses should act now to ensure they are ready for the end of the transition period.”

New customs rules will come into effect at the end of the transition period, whether or not a Free Trade Agreement is negotiated.

BIFA Director General Robert Keen said the trade association saw this recommendation as an acknowledgement and an endorsement by government of the vital role that freight forwarders play in managing UK supply chains.