Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2021 to Question 912435 on hire companies and trade with the EU, once the hire company has checked the national regulations of the country it is doing business in to understand how best to operate, what tax is payable when hire goods return through UK customs; what paperwork must be completed; and where hire companies can find the detail of the applicable UK regulations.

If taking goods temporarily out of the UK (including hiring), an ATA Carnet can help simplify customs formalities by allowing a single document to be used for clearing goods through customs in the countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system. Both the UK and all EU Member States accept ATA Carnets. In the UK, ATA Carnets are administered by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Business wishing to use ATA Carnets are advised to contact the LCCI directly to discuss their business needs.

Temporary Admission offers an alternative means to import goods temporarily into the EU, provided the relevant conditions are met. The management of EU import and export procedures is the responsibility of the customs authorities of the EU Member States so businesses and individuals should confirm the processes at their port of arrival.

Businesses re-importing goods into the UK can claim relief from import VAT and any customs duty under Returned Goods Relief (RGR), provided specific conditions are met. RGR applies to goods exported from the UK and re-imported within three years in an unaltered state and can apply to goods which are imported into the UK following their export from the UK under Temporary Admission or with an ATA Carnet.