Newsletter - October2020

Centrolene
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Page: 20
do not understand the customs procedures, nor the safety and security
declarations that will be required.
When asked about their familiarity with the following processes or
organisations, the negative responses “were equally worrying”, BIFA said.
“More than half of the respondents said they had no familiarity with the
Goods Vehicle Management System (GVMS), whilst more than two thirds said
the same about the Smart Freight Service; and the Trader Support Service
(which applies to businesses in Northern Ireland only).
Keen added: “In a similar survey conducted in May this year, 50% of
respondents felt they would not have sufficient staff to undertake the
additional Customs-related work that will be required from 1 January 2021. In
the latest survey, that has increased to 64% of respondents – which makes
sense in light of the fact that 69% of respondents in our latest survey said the
Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on their ability to prepare for the end of the
Transition period.”
Asked whether they would like to receive more information from government
on various issues, an overwhelming majority said yes: 86% for import/export
customs procedures; 71% for controlled and licensable goods; 82% for safety
and security declarations; 77% on the Goods Vehicle Management System
(GVMS); 85% on the Smart Freight Service and 62% on the Trader Support
Service (Northern Ireland only).
BIFA was concerned to hear that over 50% of respondents said they have not
received direct communication from government on EU exit or the end of the
Transition Period, and of those that had, less than 40% found it clear and
accurate.
On a more positive note, the overwhelming majority of respondents (88%)
said that they are aware of the Government’s Customs Intermediary Grant