UK importers reminded to use correct European country code on customs declarations

HMRC has issued guidance to remind businesses importing goods into the UK that they must use the correct two-digit country code (ISO-2 code) on the customs declaration when declaring the European Union country of:

• Origin
• Dispatch
• Preferential origin.

From February 8, 2022, the country code “EU” was removed from the UK Trade Tariff and the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system. HMRC will also soon be removing the code from the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and the Online Tariff Tool.

Many businesses took advantage of an easement in the TCA in 2021 and used an EU statement to show origin. However, businesses must ensure they declare the correct specific EU country of origin for customs purposes going forward.

Speak to one of our Cross-Border trade experts to see how Avalara can assist with customs and cross-border solutions.