Grants available for training on customs declarations
10/09/2019
The government has announced a new £16m fund to train staff in making customs declarations as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.
Leaving the EU on 31 October means there will be immediate changes to the way UK businesses trade with the EU that may impact your business. This includes UK businesses having to apply customs, excise and VAT procedures to trade with the EU, in the same way that already applies for goods and services traded outside the EU.
To apply for the grants, your business must either complete customs declarations for yourself or someone else (or intend to in the future) and you must import from or export to the EU.
To be eligible for the funding the training must give you or your employees the skills to:
- Complete customs declarations
- Carry out customs processes – this can include relevant training in safety and security
- Help other businesses with import and export processes
Grants can also be used for IT improvements to help your business complete customs declarations more efficiently.
To ensure maximum impact, the second wave of the grant scheme allows businesses to apply for the full cost of training, within certain limits as set out in the guidance.
The Insitute for Export is offering a range of one-day training courses for businesses, which this grant funding will be applicable against, including the following:
Step by Step guidance on completing Customs Declarations
Customs Procedures and Documentation
Customs Classification and Tariff Codes
Understanding Rules of Origin, Free Trade Agreement and Export Preference
Post Brexit Documentation and Compliance
The grant will give you up to 100% of the cost of training for your employees, up to a limit of £2,250 for each course.
If you would prefer in-house training, the grant funding will cover the cost up to a limit of £250 for each employee on the course.
The grant funding can also be used against any of the new online learning courses offered by the UK Customs Academy.
With a range of customs-specific qualifications ranging from an entry-level Certificate in Customs Practice and Procedure through to a Diploma in Advanced Customs Compliance, you can systematically build your customs knowledge and skills from novice to Accredited Customs Professional.
Make use of the grant funding for any of the courses from Level 2 to Level 5. Find out more here.
For more information on preparing for Brexit, visit the dedicated section of the UKFT website here.