Brexit paperwork warning for businesses

Businesses across the Marches which export and import have been urged to make sure their paperwork is up to date ahead of Brexit.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is urging any companies which move goods into or out of the country to make sure they have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

The number is used by customs officials to identify shipments and collect duty, and companies will need the correct one – starting with the letters GB – if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

The DIT urged companies to act as the new Government announced it was adding an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

Kathryn Jones, Marches LEP partnership manager, said latest figures showed that not enough companies had the necessary paperwork in place.

“At the moment fewer than 25% of currently exporting businesses have the appropriate EORI number even though they risk increased costs and delays without one. For example, if your goods cannot be cleared quickly at customs because you do not have an EORI you may incur extra storage costs.

“If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you’ll need an EORI number that starts with GB to move goods into and out of the UK and it is essential that companies start getting this paperwork in order. We would urge any which might be affected to act now.”

It should take just ten minutes to apply for the EORI – though it can take up to three working days for an application to be processed.

To find out more – and apply – visit: https://www.gov.uk/eori