As you know, we have been busy preparing ourselves for a hard Brexit from the beginning.
Until today nobody has any idea how this is going to work out.
Will it be a hard Brexit? Will the United Kingdom continue to be part of the EC Customs territory and if so which model will be used? Norwegian, Swiss, free circulation of all EC originating goods? Every day new information reaches us about this.
In case of a hard Brexit a lot will be changed in doing business with the United Kingdom. In order to be able to continue our UK service, we have prepared this information to inform you about the changes and what will be needed to continue the process for both export as import.
Bookings
We are going to need a lot more information from you, compared to what you were used to till now.
We can do the export customs clearance for you, of course if you have the necessary software and licenses, you can do this yourself as well, or have it done by a third party. In all cases we need to have the export clearance document with the so called MRN number, since for every trailer we deliver to the ferry port we will have to upload all documents into the their system.
No export clearance document means no access for the trailer to the ferry terminal. In case of a groupage trailer loaded which more shipments from different exporters, this can mean that if for one shipment the documents are not complete, the access to the terminal for the entire trailer will be denied.
In case you want Windhorst to arrange the export clearance for you, we will need a power of attorney from you, as well as a recent copy of your registration with the Chamber of Commerce.
It is the actual exporter of the goods who will have to sign this power of attorney Dutch customs require this document when we do the export clearance for you. When you send a request to p.smit@windhorst.nl we will forward the necessary form to fill in.
To be able to identify your shipment this will need to be labelled. Presently we often receive pallets and cc trollies without any identification. In future this will no longer be accepted, both Dutch as well as UK customs will demand goods to be easily identifiable, in cases of random checks. This label should bear complete name and address of the shipper as well as the consignee.
The present system of bookings is as follows: booking at day A, loading day B and delivery latest day D. In order to have all documentation ready in time we will need the exporters invoices latest Day A at 15.00 hrs. Of course the earlier the better. As you already know every exporter will need an EORI number and we will need this number from you to arrange the export clearance.
The accompanying invoice will have to show the following information:
- Full details of the exporter with EORI number and VAT Number.
- Name of the consignee with EORI and VAT number.
- Goods description
- Customs HS code
- Gross and net weight per product/HS code
- Value per HS code
- Amount of packages and sort, pallets, trollies, cartons, and number of packages
- Invoice date
- Incoterms
In cases where other documents are needed for your shipments such like veterinary and phytosanitary or any other export certificates than we will need this as well.
In case of a hard Brexit goods will have to be customs cleared upon arrival and the consignees will be responsible for this. In the UK there is a possibility to register yourself for a simplified customs procedure. When you have done this you can do the import clearance after arrival of your goods at the unloading address and pay eventual import duties afterwards as well. Make sure your customers are aware of this to avoid delays in the ferry ports. Information about this you will be able to find on: www.gov.uk/guidance/register-for-simplified-import-procedures-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-without-a-deal.
Timber packing material
After a hard Brexit there will be strict control on packing timber for cases, crates and pallets. These will need to have the ISPM15 logo. With this logo it is proved that the timber is treated. For both import and export this logo has to be on the packing material. Check the internet for more information about this.
Imports Uk/ The Netherlands
In case of export from the UK to the Continent an export clearance document will have to be issued.
The responsibility for this lies with the exporter of the goods. The shipper will have to send us this document, together with the invoices with details as mentioned earlier in this letter. Only after receipt of all these documents we will be able to make a booking and start organizing transport. Windhorst can also take care of the import clearance for you. Also here we will need a power of attorney and copy of Chamber of Commerce registration. If you want to make use of this service please apply for this form to p.smit@windhorst.nl
Rates
In case of a hard Brexit there will be extra costs for arranging the export clearance and any other documentation. How will the customs clearance upon arrival UK be arranged? Since there are still so many things unclear and every day different information reaches us, it is impossible at this stage to advise you anything about the extra costs. A lot of extra work will have to be done by us such as uploading all documentation to the ferry terminals and supply of information to UK customs, if no link with the Portbase system of Rotterdam is made, which also is still unclear. As soon as we have more information about this we will come back on this.
Disclaimer
All the information written in this letter is based on details known to us at this very moment. Since no agreement has been made official as yet, we cannot be held responsible when this information proves to be incorrect.
We hope with this information we have made the procedures a bit more clear to you, if you have of any more question please feel free to mail to p.smit@windhorst.nl and we will always try to help you out.
With kind regards,
Windhorst Ferry B.V.
