28 January 2020 
Amanda Darley, Head of Operations and Engagement
HMRC has confirmed in an email and letter to businesses that there will be no immediate changes to moving goods between the UK and the EU after 31 January 2020 - changes will come into effect on 1 January 2021. The text of the HMRC email states:
'We are contacting businesses in the UK who may import and export between the UK and the EU to explain what they can do next to prepare for changes to customs arrangements after the UK has left the EU.
Between 1 February and 31 December 2020, there will be an implementation period. There will be no changes to the terms of trade with the EU or the rest of the world during this time.
From 1 January 2021, the way you trade with the EU will change and you’ll need to prepare for life outside the EU, including new customs arrangements.
If you import and export between the UK and the EU, you can start your preparations now by:
* making sure you have a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
* preparing to make customs declarations.
The letter that we’ve posted to 220,000 VAT registered businesses has also been published on GOV.UK.'
