If you undertake customs clearance then you could apply for funding
The UK government acknowledges the potential issues facing customs clearance intermediaries in the UK in 2019. To that end HM Treasury and HMRC have designed a package of measures to support the customs clearance sector. In the unlikely even of a No deal BREXIT being reached before the UK leaves the EU there is a recognition of issues at the border.
A one-off investment of £8 million has been agreed to support customs broker training and increased automation.
This investment involves :
- Contracts with training providers for creating and delivering training courses/expanding existing material.
- A grant scheme to support intermediaries and/or traders with the upfront costs of training employees.
- A grant scheme to support investment in automation in the sector.
Financial secretary to the treasury, Mel Stride, Said :
“HM Treasury and HMRC have been engaging extensively with the customs intermediaries sector on EU exit, including customs brokers, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators. We have listened to their concerns about the extra demand for customs brokers services”
“That is why we plan to invest £8m for customs training and automation to support the sector to expand to help meet the potential increase in demand for this scenario”
How do you access funding for customs clearance intermediaries
There is £2 million available to fund training for intermediaries and traders completing customs clearance declarations. This fund also covers those intending to complete customs clearance declarations in the future. The grant will provide funding for up to 50% of the cost of training staff.
There is £3 million available in IT improvement funding. Available to SME’s in the customs intermediaries sector currently completing customs clearance declarations on behalf of importers/exporters. This grant will fund packaged software that increases automation of the customs clearance process for freight forwarders.
To apply for funding this is being handled online here along with an FAQ from HMRC.
