On Monday 18 February, the European Commission launched an information campaign aimed at European companies in the field of customs and indirect taxation, including value added tax (VAT), to prepare them for a possible exit from the European Union without a deal with the United Kingdom.
"Given the risk that the United Kingdom may leave the Union on 30 March next in the absence of an agreement", the information campaign should make it possible to inform companies wishing to continue trade with the United Kingdom after Brexit about the steps to be taken to ensure the smoothest possible transition, explains the Commission in a statement.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, it will be necessary to be prepared to put in place checks and controls on goods moving between the EU and the United Kingdom, once the latter has once again become a third country.
The companies concerned are therefore invited to: - assess whether they have the necessary technical and human capacity to apply customs procedures and rules, in particular as regards preferential rules of origin; - consider obtaining various registrations and authorisations for customs purposes to facilitate their business activities in the event of United Kingdom participation in their supply chain; - contact their national customs authority to determine what further steps can be taken to prepare.
More information: https://bit.ly/2Gx86Oa. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)