The new EU customs regulations in 2021 will be launched soon. Do you understand all these changes?

The transition period after Brexit will end on December 31, 2020. After Brexit, the European Union also introduced new customs regulations. This article aims to allow you to fully comply with the requirements of safety assessment in the future, minimize unnecessary transit delays and customs clearance delays, and reduce or eliminate the risk of penalties.

Part 1：New EU customs regulations in 2021

Change 1: Brexit

From January 2021, the UK will formally leave the European Union and establish an additional customs border with the European Union. It means that all goods sent from the UK to EU countries and EU countries to the UK need to be declared.

Change 2: ICS2 import control system

The new EU regulations require that starting from March 2021, all goods destined for the EU or transshipped through the EU (including Switzerland and Norway) need to submit relevant data and information to the EU customs for EU customs review before loading the aircraft in the country of origin.

Change 3: Cancel the VAT(Value-added tax) exemption policy for low-value express shipments

Starting from July 2021, the EU has abolished the value-added tax exemption policy for goods less than 22 euros. All low-value express shipments imported into EU countries need to be officially declared to the customs and paid VAT.

Part 2: What should you pay attention to after the new EU regulations come into effect?

The EU’s upcoming customs policy will have a significant impact on your actual operations in the future. You need to pay attention to the following two procedures:

1. Provide an accurate description of the waybill

2. Provide your commercial invoice information in electronic data

Note 1: What is an accurate description of goods?

Accurate cargo description includes complete information and provides detailed and precise cargo description in easy-to-understand language. It should specify what the cargo is, its purpose, and its constituent substances. The goods’ story must be accurate so that the customs authorities can identify whether it is a prohibited or restricted good and conduct a sufficient risk analysis for safety and security reasons.

So how should the description of the goods be written accurately?

Let’s take a look at the sample picture of the description of the goods.

Note 2: Why do we need to provide commercial invoice information in electronic data?

DHL Express expects to receive the information on your commercial invoice and express shipment data in the form of electronic data. In this way, the customs clearance process can significantly improve customs clearance timeliness when the data is received.

Note 3: What information should be paid attention to when electronic data provide commercial invoices?

The following information must be provided completely and accurately to clear your goods to the customs authorities and avoid customs clearance delays or penalties.

1. Sender & Exporter Information (EOR)/Recipient & Importer Information (IOR)

2. Contact information (used to contact to obtain missing documents or information, avoid delays in customs clearance, and complete the customs clearance of goods as soon as possible.)

Commercial invoices need to describe the goods in detail.

For example：

Samples of curtains and interior blinds（HS Code：6303.91.xxxx）

Understanding and grasping all these changes help you reduce or eliminate the risk of penalties.

END