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<p>In January 2020, HMRC wrote to 219,000 VAT-registered businesses that trade with
the EU, explaining the actions they need to take to prepare for changes to customs
arrangements after the transition period. The letter set out that businesses will
need to make customs declarations for GB-EU trade and that they should start to prepare
for this now by considering whether they want to use a customs agent or make declarations
themselves. It also explained that businesses will need an Economic Operator Registration
and Identification (EORI) number that starts with the letters GB to be able to submit
customs declarations. HMRC has already issued around 200,000 of these. This letter
was supported by emails and social media to reach a wider group of businesses.</p><p>Alongside
this HMRC are continuing to engage with key stakeholders (including Business Representative
Bodies and Trade Associations) to seek their input and amplify HMRC’s messaging to
ensure it is wide reaching and readily available to those who need to take action.
This includes monthly meetings with the top 35 organisations who represent over 500,000
businesses in the UK.</p><p>HMRC will continue to provide clear guidance on the actions
businesses will need to take, and HMRC will engage with them throughout the transition
period to support their readiness to comply with these new requirements.</p>
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