ETRC: Duty free sales to UK bound pax permissible from 01-Nov-2019 in 'No Deal' Brexit

European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) held (05-Sep-2019) meetings with the European Commission to discuss the potential for a 'No Deal' Brexit and the implications for the industry. Details include:

• Duty and tax-free sales to UK bound passengers will be permissible from 01-Nov-2019 in the event of a no-deal scenario. It remains the position of the EU that they will try to reach an agreement with the UK, though a No Deal Brexit is a "strong possibility";
• The Commission also advised preparations to order and deliver shipments of goods to/from the UK before 31-Oct-2019 as there will be "considerable difficulties" in clearing such products due to the immediate change in customs procedures and rules;
• Shipments caught in transit over the 31-Oct/01-Nov-2019 period should be avoided as they could get caught up in lengthy delays due to immediate changes in procedures in rules;
• Significant difficulties with excisable goods and fresh food which will be subject to significant changes in how they are handled by customs authorities and other government departments. ETRC advises this be factored into no-deal Brexit planning and that sufficient stocks be built up to cover the immediate post Brexit period;
• Emergency legislation guaranteeing slots for airlines for services to the UK will be extended until Oct-2020 so there will be one year to find a longer-term solution for airline market access.
• ETRC noted the situation for duty and tax-free sales for passengers leaving the UK is still not clear and the
  UK Travel Retail Forum is still seeking clear guidance from the UK government. [more - original PR]