Modernising Customs Authorisations Project to Close

BY:

Niamh O'Connor
30 January 2025

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HMRC have advised that the project for the Modernising of Authorisations is to close early. 

Traders who have used the formal authorisation application process will be disappointed to understand that this valuable step towards easing the often long, complex, and repetitive authorisation application process is being stopped. 


Industry stakeholders have worked intensely to support the HMRC project team and deliver a new digital Customs and Excise authorisation system. 


The reason given is fiscal restructuring. 


HMRC has thanked the trade stakeholders for their extensive engagement with the project and said that the hard work involved will not go to waste. Although the digital project may close at this time, the aim remains for a digital solution to follow in due course. 


In addition, HMRC has confirmed that the improvements to guidance and the implementation of the Customs Technical Handbooks will still be delivered. 


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