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Britain’s post-Brexit plans for customs checks: a simple guide

The first of the government’s Brexit negotiating papers concentrates on one of the knottiest problems facing ministers – what customs systems will be introduced when Britain leaves the EU.

Interim arrangements

Britain is floating the idea of a temporary customs union with the EU after Brexit takes place on 29 March 2019.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has suggested such an agreement – designed to prevent businesses facing chaos the day after Brexit – could last for “something like two years”.

The UK believes it would be free to negotiate, but not implement, trade deals with countries such as the United States and China during that period.

What happens next? Scenario one

Britain would set up a “highly streamlined” border with the EU.

In an effort to minimise bureaucracy, numberplate technology could have to be introduced at ports linked to customs declarations already submitted by freight companies.

Trusted traders could be allowed to calculate their customs duties.

However, the government still concedes that this option would still involve an “increase in administration”.

Scenario two

There would be no border checks at all under a “partnership arrangement” with the EU.

The government acknowledges this is an “innovative and untested approach” which could work because the UK’s regime would “align precisely” with the bloc’s.

Checks would continue on goods arriving from outside the EU, and Britain would mirror Brussels’ tariffs for imports bound for the EU.

Safeguards would need to be implemented to prevent Britain becoming a backdoor for exporting to the union.

“One potential approach would involve the UK mirroring the EU’s requirements for imports from the rest of the world where the final destination is the EU,” the paper said.

Preparations for no deal with Brussels

A Customs Bill will be published within months to ensure a new customs regime is in place when the UK leaves the jurisdiction of EU law.

It will also give Britain the power to operate standalone customs, VAT and excise systems if no deal is agreed, with EU countries being treated the same as those outside the bloc.

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