BREXIT UPDATE: MOST OF UK IMPORT TARIFFS TO BE LIFTED IN THE EVENT OF A NO DEAL SCENARIO. SOME FISH PRODUCTS AND DRIED BANANA WOULD ATTRACT DUTIES

15 MARCH 2019

Following the rejection of the Withdrawal agreement by the UK Parliament on 12 March, the UK government has published a note detailing its intention to temporarily lift most import tariffs and quotas in the event of a no deal scenario. This means that there would be no tariffs or quotas on imports on products that are not in the list for a 12 months period. Products such as nuts and dried fruit would be imported duty free, quota free during the 12 months period.

However, under this temporary regime duties would apply on some goods imported into the UK mentioned in the list below. The duties would apply to all origins. Products of FRUCOM in the list are some fish products (e.g. frozen shrimps, prepared or preserved skipjack and other tuna), and dried bananas.

Some products with duties are:

Please see here the guidance with the tariffs and quotas for products that would attract a duty and/or a TRQ. Please find below a table with the preferential or reduced duties for some of the products depending on the origin.

UK tariffs and TRQ in case of no deal Brexit_FRUCOM products

This temporary regime would last 12 months, starting on 29 March at 11pm (UK time) and it would apply to all origins (EU and non-EU). The UK would also apply full tariff exemption to be applied on all goods imported from Ireland into Northern Ireland.

We would advise to treat this information with the appropriate caution as a number of key parameters are still uncertain, amongst others:

  • Outcome of tonight's vote in the UK Parliament on whether the UK should request an extension of article 50 (i.e. postponing Brexit).
  • Position of the EU Council following these votes - due to meet on 21 March. Any extension of article 50 requires unanimity from the remaining 27 member states of the EU.

In addition, even in the event of a no deal scenario on 29 March, the actual enforcement of this temporary duty-free regime might be challenged by the EU as it would threaten the unity of the EU Single Market by applying a full tariff-free regime to all goods imported from Ireland into Northern Ireland.

Contact : Daniel Pérez Vega, dperezvega@frucom.eu