When do we need to start worrying about Brexit affecting our online shopping from UK?

_Whimsical_

Will goods bought in the UK entering Ireland begin attracting customs charges on Nov 1st or do we have longer before we need to worry?

Anchises

Maybe the text of the agreed deal will define a departure date after Nov 1 (politics).If indeed its accepted at all.

But from the agreed date of departure UK will be a non EU country, and all goods imported into EU from non EU countries will be liable to pay such rates as are defined in the EU Tariff and incur VAT also if appropriate.

If the present deal is passed, then customs duty *will* be payable on shipment of goods from UK to the Republic(EU). VAT also.

Presumably UK Exporters/shippers will engage in some registration process and make customs export declarations on line. Also this should be the process for Northern Ireland companies shipping goods into the Republic.

If the UK supplier has made arrangements for them to pre-assess/pre-pay Customs Duty and VAT on sales to Eire, then we dont have to worry about it.

As the proposed structure provides for no border between NI and Eire, they could just deliver to the South without making a declaration or payment, and in the process hazard the possibility of detection by Customs patrols or Customs post import audit procedures. Maybe Customs patrols will be 'virtual' by using cameras and vehicle registration recognition software ? There would have to be some such process since goods in circulation in NI , either originating in UK mainland or produced/manufactured in NI could be simply 'smuggled' to the South.

If goods are shipped by post presumably the existing procedures in parcel post offices continue to apply , but now include post from UK in addition to post from outside the present EU. And also ones assumess the existing customs duty and/or VAT exemption limits will continue to apply, so low value items from UK will not be affected by the change. I expect there will be delays though, since the volume of packages through the system will be expected to increase with the inclusion of packages that were previously transparent to Customs control.

I would be slow to order goods from UK until the situation clarifies.

downcow

Anchises wrote: »

If the UK supplier has made arrangements for them to pre-assess/pre-pay Customs Duty and VAT on sales to Eire, then we dont have to worry about it.

As the proposed structure provides for no border between NI and Eire, they could just deliver to the South without making a declaration or payment, and in the process hazard the possibility of detection by Customs patrols or Customs post import audit procedures. Maybe Customs patrols will be 'virtual' by using cameras and vehicle registration recognition software ? There would have to be some such process since goods in circulation in NI , either originating in UK mainland or produced/manufactured in NI could be simply 'smuggled' to the South.

Surely this will necessitate border forces of some sort?

On another point, when can we start using green diesel again and you guys can get on our red stuff? Will this loophole situation be reestablished?

NotToScale

It’s an unknowable unknown at the moment.

If the current deal passes, we enter a planned transition period and there’ll be no disruption but a gradual move towards implementation of Brexit and hopefully a deal on trade of some sort emerging.

If it’s rejected we’ve a mess on November 1st with possible serious disruption of shipping. How bad that would be is unknown but I would suspect online shopping isn’t the highest priority, especially if it needs lots of customs processing due to endless individual packs that may not have any customs information. I could see a lot of online shopping being held up for ages as it would be undocumented.

Bulk, logistics shipping of goods destined for retail, manufacturing and so on area relatively more straightforward as they’re documented and shipped in bulk. Online shopping could be extremely messy until UK retailers apply customs labeling.

Anchises

Surely this will necessitate border forces of some sort?

Not really.
Patrol teams , yes, but not based on the border or even near the Border.


Control of Red /Green diesel is already being done now. It's an Excise Tax (domestic).
Any change in NI status arising from Brexit should not impact on this.

Bulk, logistics shipping of goods destined for retail, manufacturing and so on area relatively more straightforward as they’re documented and shipped in bulk. Online shopping could be extremely messy until UK retailers apply customs labeling.

agreed.

Anchises

Interesting pages here re Customs Trader Registration.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/press-releases/2019/pr-010319-level-customs-registrations-brexit.aspx

downcow

Anchises wrote: »

Control of Red /Green diesel is already being done now. It's an Excise Tax (domestic).
Any change in NI status arising from Brexit should not impact on this.

But the loophole was that Green diesel is not a domestic Excise issue North of the border nor Red south of the border. I understand that it took some innovative EU work to stop this. I am just curious if we are in separate custom zones what the issue is with me using green diesel in the north. I realise it is a problem on the short journey from the station in the south to the border - but if they are not stopping cars then its little risk