Airfreight software company boss Peter MacSwiney is to lead a new working group looking at the impact of the UK’s exit from the European Union on the industry. The chairman of Agency Sector Management, which provides software solutions and representation for the UK freight forwarding is to co-chair a Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) Customs Brexit Group.
He will work alongside his co-chair, HM Revenue and Customs’ Aaron Dunne, and other industry representatives, subject experts and representatives from other government departments.
HMRC will give Brexit updates during the meetings, which will take place six times a year, and members will discuss specific issues with a focus on developing strategic Brexit policy.
MacSwiney said: “Trade facilitation must be an integral component of government planning and all Brexit negotiations. Any possible reintroduction of customs declaration requirements and frontier controls could cause major disruption at the border.
“The freight industry needs to know both HMRC’s short and long-term view and how flexible it is prepared to be. It is also important to understand what interim arrangements, if any, will apply in the meantime and how the UK would work with any changes, short or long-term, within the Union Customs Code.”
The JCCC allows HMRC to hear representations from over 20 member organisations and discuss proposed changes to customs procedures.
