Imports: Customs

(asked on 19th July 2021) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how long on average imported goods are taking to clear customs checks; and what assessment he has made of trends in the time taken for imported goods to clear customs since January 2021.


Answered by
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman
This question was answered on 27th July 2021

The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border. HMRC use a risk based, intelligence-led response to compliance issues working alongside Border Force.

There are a number of different customs checks which could take place, and the time required for a check will vary significantly based on:

  • The type of check required;
  • The nature of the import and the associated risk;
  • The type and quantity of goods examined;
  • The amount of time a trader or their agent takes to provide information at points in the process.

The information requested is therefore not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

HMRC have not carried out an assessment of trends in the time taken for goods to clear customs.

The Government has put in place a number of measures to facilitate trade with the EU and to avoid disruption at ports, including publishing comprehensive guidance on the new arrangements for trade with the EU and operating a staged approach to customs controls in Great Britain. Until 31 December 2021 most traders importing non-controlled goods from the EU can make a simplified declaration in their own records and defer making a customs declaration to HMRC for 175 days. Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delaying-declarations-for-eu-goods-brought-into-great-britain

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