HMRC has written to 145,000 VAT-registered businesses across the UK, including Northern Ireland, which only trade with the EU, explaining changes to customs, excise and VAT in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, which would require them to complete customs declarations for the first time.

While HMRC stresses that it is ‘unlikely’ the UK will leave the EU in March next year without a deal being agreed, the letter points out that this outcome would require immediate changes to the way UK businesses trade with the EU.

This would include UK businesses having to apply customs, excise and VAT procedures to goods traded with the EU, in the same way that already applies for goods traded outside of the EU.

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