Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight system on wine importers; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional support to wine importers to help tackle issues relating to that system.

The Government recognises that businesses must get to grips with new customs procedures and is providing support.

The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system continues to work well. In practice, most businesses do not connect to CHIEF, using the services of a customs intermediary instead or, if they do their own customs administration, commercial software that interacts with CHIEF.

HMRC have engaged extensively with excise trade associations through the Joint Alcohol and Tobacco Consultation Group (JATCG) which has included regular meetings with the Wines and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA). HMRC will continue that support and help to trade associations and individual businesses.