In the June issue we covered what the trading landscape would look like if the UK and EU did not agree a trade deal when the UK leaves the EU and trade defaulted to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules where customs duties would arise. This month we look at how the EU’s customs regime works in practice where countries who are not in a Customs Union with the EU or do not have a free trade agreement in place trade with the EU.

Operation of the EU Customs Regime

Import charges and customs checks are operated where trade takes place with a country outside the customs union with the EU or where a free trade agreement is not in place. Import charges can comprise of Customs Duty, Excise Duty and VAT. Anti-Dumping Duty and Countervailing Duty can also be imposed.

In the context of Brexit, if the UK leaves the EU’s Customs Union, there are likely to be customs checks between the EU and UK as a third country after Brexit. There may also be a requirement for customs checkpoints and an IT infrastructure associated with customs payments and declarations.

Duty on goods from outside the EU’s Customs Union is generally paid when the goods first enter the EU and after that there is nothing more to pay and no more checks if goods move across the EU.

How to make a Customs declaration for importing goods

The importer of the goods or a customs agent generally lodges a customs declaration with the customs office where the goods will be presented.

The declaration can be made on a Single Administrative Document (SAD) which is filed electronically (using the dedicated online system used by the exporters country) or in writing. For travellers and non-traders, these declarations can be made orally.

What is a SAD?

The SAD form shows details of the exporter and the importer, the country of export, origin and destination, the value of the goods and currency, the mode of transport of the goods, the weight of the goods among other details. It is used by EU member states and each country’s version is harmonised with other EU member states.

The SAD was introduced to control goods arriving from outside the EU and goods being exported outside of the EU. The SAD is not used for trade within the EU Single Market. The SAD also covers the movement of non-EU goods within the EU.

Traders moving goods between European countries don’t need to complete a SAD.

The aim of the SAD is to encourage openness in national administrative requirements as well as standardising and harmonising data to reduce the administrative burden on traders.

How are charges calculated?

Customs Duty is normally calculated as a percentage of the value or per unit of quantity or weight of the goods being imported. The percentage varies depending on the type of goods and the country of origin.

Customs Duty is charged on the price paid for the goods including local sales taxes (VAT equivalent) plus shipping, packaging and any insurance costs.

Invoices which are declared in currencies other than the Euro will need to be converted to Euro. This allows the correct import duty to be calculated. The EU publishes monthly exchange rates.

Excise Duty is charged on alcohol, tobacco and oil products and is in addition to Customs Duty.

VAT is charged at the point of importation at the same rate that applies to similar goods sold in the importing country. The value of the goods for the purpose of calculating the amount of VAT payable at import is their value for customs purposes, described above, increased by the amount of any duty or other tax (but not including VAT).

Accounting for VAT

For imports from outside the EU into the EU, importers must pay the VAT to the relevant tax authorities at the time when the customs duties are paid rather than declare it at the time of filing their VAT returns. This position differs when businesses acquire goods within the EU. In these instances acquisition VAT must be accounted for in the next VAT return rather than being payable upfront.

An example of how customs and VAT are applied is illustrated below.

Goods	Invoice Price	Shipping and Insurance	Value for Customs Purposes	Customs Duty %	Value for VAT Purposes	VAT %	Total Charge	Total Cost
Digital Cameras	€1,200	€132	€1,332	0% 0	€1,332	23% €306.36	€306.36	€1,638.36
Adult Footwear	€900	€112	€1,012	17% €172.04	€1,184.04	23% €272.33	€444.37	€1,456.36

How are charges paid?

Once an electronic customs declaration has been lodged and accepted by the tax authorities, payment must be secured before the goods are released to the importer. Some payments are made upfront while other importers may be able to avail of a delayed payment mechanism.

What documents need to accompany the customs declaration?

When submitting a declaration electronically, accompanying documents for customs inspection/audit must be retained for a period of three years from the end of the year in which the goods are released from Revenue control.

Examples of supporting information required are:

• the invoice on which the customs value of the goods is declared
• documents required for preferential trade agreements or other reliefs from duty
• import licences or other documents required under provisions governing the release for free circulation of the goods