April 2017 COMMENT BMJ
BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL
Customs in practice
Back in the day, when Adam and I were lads, there were these things called ‘customs rules’ which limited
the amount of ‘stuff’ that could be carted across borders without hav- ing to pay something called duty on them.
To many of us of a certain age, the notion of your ‘duty-free allow- ance’ was rather exciting. Once we fully joined the EU Single Market however, it came with a Customs Union which mean that those limits were, to all intents and purposes, abolished between the UK and our European neighbours. And lo, the Continental booze-cruise was born. Not only that, of course, the Cus- toms Union agreement meant busi- nesses could import goods from EU countries without paying massive import duty on them - from Swedish timber and Belgian bricks to Italian ceramics and Spanish slate. I write this on the day that Sir Tim Barrow, our ambassador to the European Union, delivered Teresa May’s letter triggering Article 50, kick-starting our leaving of said union.
We now have two years to negoti- ate this and make it work. And we need to get it right. Very right. Living in Kent, I’m only too aware of the huge impact on the county - in economic and environmental
Incorporating New Builders Merchant BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL Datateam Business Media, London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY
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BMJ April 2017
terms - of Operation Stack, where the M20 turns into a lorry park, causing havoc for residents and those travelling through the country to the ports alike.
We don’t make enough ‘stuff’ in this country anymore and, there- fore, leaving the Customs Union will cause problems for a great many companies who import - a good deal of them in this industry. Leaving the Customs Union means many UK businesses will in future be classed as importers and will be required to: lodge customs’ declarations and pay customs & excise duty upfront in which country the goods were manufactured or processed calculate and pay import VAT upfront.
Paperwork and cost is going to increase for any business importing from the EU - whether it be timber from Scandinavia, radiators from Belgium or tiles from Italy - unless Ministers secure a new customs agreement.
The BMF is only too aware of the implications of this for its mem- bers - merchant and supplier and is preparing its response. Get in touch with them to add your voice to their lobbying because this stuff is going to really hurt if it’s not sorted properly.
Fiona Russell Horne Editor-in-Chief
North & Midlands Sales: David Harman
01772 462596
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CIRCULATION
ABC audited average circulation 7,828 01 Jul 2015 - 30 Jun 2016
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3 BMJ is proud to be a member of: CONTENTS
06 09
10 12 14
The Month What’s been happening in the last month.
News Extra VAT is changing and the Government wants the opinion of businesses.
People News Movers, shakers and 10 minutes with....
Business Helpdesk Insurance premiums could be about to chnage thanks to action by the Ministry of Justice
Comment and Opinion The latest from our headline and guest columnists
20 23
Merchant Focus BMJ takes a tour round Blanchford’s latest branch.
Bathrooms & Showers Trends and developments including a look at how bathroom design is reflecting multi-generational living.
33
Timber It’s a dangerous old business climbing up and down stairs, especially if they are badly made or installed..
37 IT
Who’s invested what, in which systems to help them build their business further?
40
BMF Industry Voice News and views from the BMF.
42 Sustainability
50 43
How do we get rid of waste stuff? Product News
Latest developments from suppliers in stuff to sell on.
And Finally News, the odd slot and the crossword.
copying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior writ- ten consent of the publisher. The title Builders Merchants Journal is registered at Stationers’ Hall. Suppliers have contributed towards production costs of some photographs in this issue.
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