Read on Twitter
A couple of important points here.
The importance of properly trained and experienced customs agents is massively underestimated.
It's not only about filling in forms, it's also about what to do when things go wrong (and they do)
/1 https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1265187793044635648
The importance of properly trained and experienced customs agents is massively underestimated.
It's not only about filling in forms, it's also about what to do when things go wrong (and they do)
/1 https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1265187793044635648
Customs agents are not customs advisors. It's not their job to advise on what to put on a customs decl.
But in a situation where ca 145k firms will be submitting customs decs for the first time - they will be the first point of contact and support for a number of firms
/2
But in a situation where ca 145k firms will be submitting customs decs for the first time - they will be the first point of contact and support for a number of firms
/2
Many firms won't seek advice from an actual customs advisor. For budgetary/time reasons they will try to classify goods themselves etc. Yet they will be liable.
In these exceptional circumstances, customs agents will often be the only ppl sense checking the documents.
/3
In these exceptional circumstances, customs agents will often be the only ppl sense checking the documents.
/3
Good point here. 6 months is enough to get your head around the basics but not to gain sufficient practical experience.
/4
/4
It's not enough to be able to know what to do when goods get stuck or when authorities have questions.
One thing I really enjoy about customs is the fact that it's so unpredictable, that there are so many variables. Every project is different. 6 months is not a lot
/5
One thing I really enjoy about customs is the fact that it's so unpredictable, that there are so many variables. Every project is different. 6 months is not a lot
/5
So far there's been no announcement from HMRC regarding a helpline or direct support with decls or queries.
In reality, all these questions are likely to go to customs brokers and they need to:
a) know how to answer them;
b) have enough capacity to deal with them.
/6
In reality, all these questions are likely to go to customs brokers and they need to:
a) know how to answer them;
b) have enough capacity to deal with them.
/6
Basically, difficulties for the customs brokerage industry mean difficulties for the private sector.
Numbers don't look good
/7
Numbers don't look good
/7
Honestly, the one thing the Government could do now to try to make 2021 as painless as it can possibly be is to support the customs industry - they are the ppl that will be making things happen at the border. They are the ones that will be minimising friction.
/8
/8
If they are overwhelmed, we'll not only have friction but also delays, bottlenecks, products rotting away before they arrive etc.
/9
/9
(Disclaimer - I'm not a customs broker. I'm a customs adviser. So this is not a self-serving view. Quite the opposite. )
/end
/end
