Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Pitt-Watson on 26 October (HL Deb Col 929), whether they intend to seek reciprocal arrangements with the European Union at the EU-UK summit in November to allow fashion collections, samples, and garments for shows, shoots, and showrooms to be temporarily admitted by oral or by-conduct declaration, rather than requiring admission temporaire (ATA) or written customs declarations.

The Government is aware of concerns from the fashion sector about the administrative and cost burdens associated with importing and exporting goods and we continue to engage with businesses and representative organisations to understand the practical impacts. This government remains committed to reducing barriers to trade with our closest trading partners. This is why the UK introduced digital ATA carnets on 1 June 2026, making the UK one of the first countries to do so alongside the EU, Switzerland and Norway. Digitising carnets replaces a paper-based process with a secure digital format, making them simpler for importers and exporters, including the fashion industry, to use. ATA Carnets are an optional facilitation, and it is a commercial decision for businesses and individuals whether to use them in place of individual customs declarations.