JANUARY 2020: What’s your 2020 vision like?

We’d all probably like to see our NHS, Police Forces and other emergency services given the tools to get on with their job.
Some meaningful reinvestment in our northern industries and the infrastructure around them would be near the top of any wish-list.
As well as a new beginning for our fishing industry.
And it would be good if enough green shoots appeared to convince Scotland to stay alongside the rest of us.
It’s all really down to whether or not Boris can turn it around...

Add in climate change and to say it’s a big ask would be an understatement.
Our own particular vision post Brexit is more about being able to take things in our own hands.
More than four years ago Britannia Bureau started to tell clients that the digital world affecting EU trade and commerce would be here by 2020.
As Brexit loomed, we promised ‘Now we are out for good let makes sure it is good.’
First advice was for all companies involved in pan EU supply chains to get up to speed with acquiring AEO status.
The benefits of customs warehousing without having to put financial guarantees in place as well as helping cash flow and getting goods to market quicker are immediate.
Over recent years we’ve been putting ideas in place to make Brexit softer as well as giving guidance to companies who were going to be declaring EU duty for the first time.
In January 2018 we were already advising clients how to gear up for the new customs rules planned for April 2019.
We became part of an advisory team to HMRC Brexit planning covering all issues. Provision of additional seaport capacity.
Expansion of railways as import/export alternatives. Fully digitalised declarations away from the point of entry including plans for borderless customs arrangements on the island of Ireland.
Britannia Bureau became responsible for more than 5% of all declarations made to HMRC.
During the same period, we also set up some systems of our own to keep trade running smoothly.
MY FREEWAY is an initiative that lets those involved in European supply chains as well as companies looking at the wider world to take control of their own freighting requirements regardless of size or value of cargo.
We also set up a “SINGLE WINDOW’ data entry customs reporting system for both sides of the channel to help interface EU and UK companies.
In the future we see our core function continuing to be what it has always been.
That is to help streamline our clients systems, help them prepare for new scenarios and reduce their financial commitment to HMRC while ensuring continuous absolute compliance.
In short, we’ll continue to help them be as future proof as they can be.
We wish you all a prosperous 2020.