Before the end of 2020 rights holders are advised to check the basis for their EU Customs Application for Action (AFA).
If a rights holder has filed an EU-wide Application for Action through the UK Border Force, this will cease to have effect outside the UK after 31 December 2020. It will be necessary to file a separate EU AFA through an EU27 Customs Authority.
If a rights holder has filed an EU-wide AFA via one of the EU27 Customs Authorities covering the UK, this will cease to have effect in the UK after 31 December 2020 but will remain valid in the EU Member States designated. A separate application will need to be filed with the UK Border Force.
Another recent change affecting AFAs is that EORI numbers are now a requirement for all EU AFAs, and will soon become mandatory for UK AFAs. The EORI number - Economic Operators Registration and Identification number – is a unique code used to track and register customs information in the EU. All companies or individuals trading goods into or out of the EU should already have one. If not, the EORI is quick and easy to obtain via the tax authority of the company’s country of incorporation.
For further information or assistance, please get in touch with Rachel or your usual Kilburn & Strode adviser.