The UK government has announced that changes to the de minimis rules will now come into effect in October 2028, rather than March 2029 as it was originally planned
Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: "We broadly welcome the Government's commitment to reforming low value imports (LVI) and the decision to bring forward implementation to October 2028 at the latest, six months earlier than previously announced. However, we are disappointed that progress cannot be made more quickly and urge the Government to keep the timetable under review and do everything possible to accelerate these changes.
"While it is clear that designing and implementing a new customs system is a significant undertaking, it is concerning that no interim measures can be introduced due to resource and infrastructure constraints. As reforms are developed through this year's Finance Bill, it will be vital that the necessary customs infrastructure is put in place and that enforcement is applied consistently through all market participants, including online platforms.
"Reforming low value imports is an important step but it should be part of a broader reset that creates a fairer operating environment for retailers and supports investments on high streets across the country. It is also worth noting that the EU has already implented their dismantling of LVI and added an additional small parcel charge."
