Oh Brexit Brought in new rules in trade transactions between the United Kingdom and Portugal. If goods, services and people were free to move before, it is not now. Now there is a whole set of procedures and rules to follow. There are still many doubts as to what these procedures really are, which documents are mandatory and who is responsible for obtaining them, among other aspects. To answer these and other questions, the Portuguese-British Chamber of Commerce hosted a webinar entitled “Exports to the United Kingdom: Traditions and Customs Regulations in the UK from 1 January 2022”, attended by Hugo Marx, Head of Economics and Prosperity. From the British Embassy in Lisbon, Barbara Kogigal, Trade Policy Officer From the Embassy, and Ana Garcia Fernandez – Director of International Business at ETE.
In response to inquiries from both Hugo Marques and Bárbara Cagigal about the impact on Portuguese imports and exports, the Portuguese companies experienced difficulties during the adjustment period, which were declining. The embassy has frequent (constantly receiving) requests for information, but most of them are related to UK entry and exit visa issues.
The main differences between then and now are that Portugal is seen as a third country and that bilateral relations between the two countries need to be re-established. It is important to note that there are about 400,000 Portuguese living in the United Kingdom and about 50,000 British living in Portugal, as Hugo Marx recalls. Not forgetting the economic relationship, last year’s trade balance was 6 9.6 billion, with exports of goods and services from Portugal to the United Kingdom dominating.
Unlike the European Union, the United Kingdom decided to introduce new import restrictions as a phase. Therefore, from the beginning of the year, customs notices and regulations must be duly fulfilled – complete – as well as comply with the prior notice requirements (issued by the importer) for products subject to health and phytosanitary restrictions (SPS). ). From July 1 there are new requirements for export health certificates, as well as the need for physical control of SPS products in phytosanitary certificates and border control posts.
In the case of freight traffic between the European Union and the United Kingdom, there are some important changes. As explained by Bárbara Cagigal, road freight traffic within or outside the United Kingdom must register with the GVMS system for ports entering the United Kingdom. Without it they would not be able to cross the border on board a boat or shuttle or clear goods through customs. Important Note: Before registering, carriers must obtain an EORI number (available online) in the UK acronym and have an account with the Government Gateway System.
For all of these, each ship (excluding exports worth less than six thousand euros) to the United Kingdom has a registration in the REX system to obtain a birth certificate. REX is not only a Certificate of Origin, but also a mandatory condition for companies wishing to access the Option Scheme established between the United Kingdom and the European Union. That is, if a company wants to be exempt from customs duties, it must be in the REX.
But, the opinion was widespread that the most important thing is that companies ask all the questions they need to know what documents they need and what procedures they should follow before sending any goods to the UK.
