UK Trade Association Acts to Influence Post-Brexit Customs Rules

The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has published a ‘Positioning Paper’ that highlights ways in which the supply chain sector can work with Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that post-Brexit excise legislation does not place an unfair burden on legitimate logistics companies involved in the handling and movement of goods such as alcohol and tobacco, and that businesses operating in this important part of the UK economy remain competitive.

UKWA’s chief executive officer, Peter Ward (pictured), commented: “We will present our Positioning Paper to HMRC and the policy makers to help the government understand how the excise supply chain industry works and the impacts that any post-Brexit legislation will have on the sector.”

He continued: “Alcohol smuggling and fraud is estimated to cost the Treasury in the region of £2 billion per year in lost revenue and UKWA will continue to co-operate with HMRC to reduce the opportunities for excise fraud in the UK market and close the revenue gap.”

Peter Ward added: “UKWA firmly believes it is in the national interest that we should co-operate openly and constructively with the policy makers and regulators in this matter to ensure that legitimate logistics businesses are not burdened by impractical legislation. This is another example of where Brexit provides an opportunity to review existing practices and legislation and ensure that post-Brexit the UK retains this critically important commercial activity, safeguarding jobs and a significant contribution to the economy ”

UKWA is a leading trade organisation for the logistics sector, with 700 members many of whom provide logistics services for companies involved in the holding and movement of excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco.

The sector UKWA represents is worth £95 billion to the UK economy with 1 in 12 people employed in the logistics industry. Excise duties make a significant contribution to UK government revenues. According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, and the Chancellors’ Autumn Statement, in 2014/15 the duties levied on fuel, tobacco and alcohol raised £47 billion, comprising 7.2% of the government’s total receipts.

UKWA’s Post-Brexit Excise Legislation Positioning Paper can be downloaded at www.ukwa.org.uk.