Important VAT changes affecting importers of goods into the UK
HMRC has recently published a Revenue and Customs Brief (Number 2, 2019) which clarifies the rules regarding the deduction of import VAT by businesses who are not the owner of the relevant goods at the time of import. These changes are applicable from Monday 15 July 2019.
Who is potentially affected?
- A non-owner who has reclaimed import VAT on goods imported into the UK.
- A ‘toll manufacturer/operator’.
- Advisers or agents dealing with businesses importing goods to the UK.
What is the issue?
In certain situations, businesses will sell-on goods before they have been imported into the UK but will act as the ’importer of record’ on import declarations, paying the import VAT and receiving the C79 import VAT certificates from HMRC.
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An example of when this occurs is where a business acts as an intermediary between two parties; one being an overseas seller the other a UK buyer. It is often the case that the intermediary acts as the importer of record to facilitate the movement of goods into the UK, but in actual fact title to the goods has already transferred to the UK company before they enter the UK. Another instance is where a ’toll manufacturer’ (being one that provide specialist support, equipment and skills in a manufacturing process) imports goods on which it is working on behalf of its customer (the principal manufacturer). In such cases it is unlikely that the toll manufacturer owns the goods at any stage of the process. It is also possible that the Incoterms associated with the supply chain have been misunderstood and the person clearing the goods at customs is not actually the owner of those goods at that time. |
The correct procedure
The brief has clarified that the correct procedure in instances such as these is that only the owner of the goods can be the ‘importer of record’ and reclaim the import VAT. If there is intended to be an onward sale of the goods, the parties will need to ensure that this is taken into account when establishing who will be the importer. HMRC is now explicitly clear that only the owner of the goods at the time of import should reclaim the UK import VAT incurred.
HMRC accepts that its previous guidance on this matter was unclear and that businesses in these circumstances have been acting in good faith and as a result HMRC will not be looking at historical VAT deductions on import VAT. However no such amnesty will be applicable to future supplies after Monday 15 July 2019 and import VAT claimed incorrectly will be disallowed. This may lead to an increase in the number of overseas businesses having to VAT register in the UK so that unexpected import VAT costs do not arise.
Impact of Brexit
At the moment, this development only applies to goods coming to the UK from outside of the EU. In the event of the UK leaving the EU then it is likely that goods being shipped from the EU will also have to be ‘imported’ into the UK and this could increase the frequency of such transactions taking place. Read our previous alert for more details on the VAT changes associated with a no deal Brexit.
Actions
Businesses operating in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors are likely to be the most affected by this development as it is common for UK businesses to be carrying out a process on goods owned by their customer, but the principles apply universally. From Monday 15 July 2019, HMRC will only allow claims on import VAT to be made using the correct procedures.
The following are recommended actions to ensure the correct payment and recovery of import VAT.
- Review your current procedures on reclaiming VAT on imports.
- Liaise with your customer/purchaser about who will act as importer of the goods into the UK and ensure this is reflected through using the correct Incoterm.
- Ensure you are the owner of the goods before paying import VAT.
- Check that the correct EORI number is being provided to HMRC at the time that the goods are imported. This will ensure that C79 certificates are issued in the name of the business which owns the goods when they enter the UK.
