A series of recommendations that it claims will benefit both the Brexit process and wider trade priorities have been set out by think tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
In a new report, it argues that the Government should be taking practical steps now to reap the benefits of an independent post-Brexit trade policy.
Several of the recommendations focus particularly on customs matters controlled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
“As the debate continues about customs union membership at a high level, it is important not to lose sight of the tools and processes that can help businesses on the ground,” report author Victoria Hewson said.
Many of these are already available to the UK Government and should be implemented both as Brexit preparation and – whatever happens with the EU – to show that the UK is serious about global trade and competitiveness, she added.
Among a number of short-term recommendations, the IEA calls for greater transparency in order to attract new exporters to international trade, so that they are not deterred by perceived bureaucracy and uncertainty.
It is also important to build resource within HMRC in order to assist businesses that are not used to trading outside the Customs Union, the Institute argued.
HMRC should focus, the report insists, on providing IT support skills training for businesses and consider engaging external professional services to help in other areas.
In the long term, the Border Force goods functions should be incorporated into HMRC’s remit, aspects of the Union Customs Code (UCC) should be reformed, and the UK should use the flexibility available in VAT when it is no longer an EU member.
The report Under Control: What HMRC Can do to Prepare and Optimise Customs Processes for All Outcomes can be found here.
