25th February 2019
Revenue has written to over 70,000 businesses that trade with the UK alerting them of the need to sign up for their customs number
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, today (February 25, 2019) urged businesses to take a few minutes to register with Revenue for a customs number, which they will need if they want to continue trading with the UK after Brexit. Minister Humphreys made the call as she today launches a series of free customs training workshops for all businesses, which is being rolled out for the Government through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices.
Businesses that intend to import or export to the UK post Brexit, can only do so with a customs number called an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. Revenue has written to over 70,000 businesses in recent weeks alerting them to this requirement.
An EORI number is already used by any business trading with a non-European Union (EU) country and is a EU customs requirement for trading with third countries. If a business does not have an EORI number post-Brexit, it will not be able to move its goods.
Calling on businesses to register with Revenue for an EORI number without delay, Minister Humphreys said, “So far around one in four businesses in Ireland that trade with the UK have registered with Revenue. With just five weeks to go to Brexit, I am strongly urging the remaining three-quarters or so of firms to sign up for the EORI number. It only takes a few minutes to do so online through Revenue’s Online Service, ROS.
“Be they a local retailer who buys their fresh and frozen goods from a UK supplier or a restaurant owner who sources key ingredients from the UK, they will need their number to protect their business from delays and other Brexit impacts.”
The Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, also called on businesses to decide whether they plan to carry out customs procedures themselves or use a customs agent to act on their behalf.
“Businesses who move their goods to or from mainland Europe using the UK landbridge need to be aware that customs procedures apply to them post Brexit. There is a simplified transit customs process for goods using the landbridge, but to use it businesses must put in place a Revenue approved comprehensive financial guarantee”, Minister Breen said.
“This process can take time, so I urge businesses to start by consulting with their financial provider and Revenue straight away. Alternatively business can engage a customs agent or logistics company to do so.
Either way the process needs to start now and businesses must be aware that they will be responsible for providing their agent with accurate and timely information and their EORI number”, the Minister added.
Businesses from all sectors can seek customs advice and training through the ‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ workshops, which the Local Enterprise Offices are rolling out from today. These one-day workshops will provide businesses with an opportunity to understand about potential customs impacts, formalities and procedures they will need to adopt when trading with the UK after this date and help businesses put arrangements in place.
Businesses can also receive online customs training through Enterprise Ireland’s website to find out more about key customs concepts, documentation and processes, which takes about 45 minutes to complete. https://www.prepareforbrexit.com/customs-insights-course/
Further information about actions businesses can take now to prepare for Brexit is available on www.dbei.gov.ie
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Economic Operators Registration and Identification
Businesses who plan on moving goods into or out of the European Union (EU) via the landbridge or who trade with the UK post-Brexit, will need a unique Economic Operators Registration and Identification or EORI number.
Businesses can register with Revenue for an EORI number to continue trading with the UK after Brexit. This number is valid throughout the EU. Businesses can register for an EORI number through the Revenue website using their Revenue Online Service [ROS] account. https://www.revenue.ie/en/online-services/services/common/register-for-an-eori-number.aspx
Local Enterprise Offices: Prepare Your Business for Customs workshops
The Local Enterprise Office ‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ workshops are currently planned for:
Cavan (February 25th), Cork (March 8th), Dublin (March 13th) and Laois (March 21st)
Further dates and locations for workshops in every region will be announced shortly. For more information go to https://www.localenterprise.ie/
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department also has a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.
For more information please contact press.office@dbei.gov.ie or ph: (01) 6312200
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