Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made in negotiations with the European Commission on ensuring that musicians’ (a) instruments and (b) equipment can move freely between the UK and the EU when the UK leaves the EU.

The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the same customs rules will broadly apply to transporting instruments and equipment to the EU as apply to trade between the UK and non-EU countries. This will include the use of temporary admission and applications for Returned Goods Relief.

ATA carnets are also available for commercial goods, professional equipment or goods going to trade fairs or exhibitions in participating countries, which are moved on a temporary basis to a new customs territory, which will not be sold and which will return to the country of origin. This includes musical instruments.

If the UK does leave the EU without a deal, the process of using an ATA Carnet (or a temporary admission declaration) will become an acceptable option for moving goods temporarily between the UK and EU, as the UK will become a single customs territory.