Customs Training and IT Grants Scheme – applications have re-opened

HMRC is investing a further £16 million in its grant programme to help fund training and IT improvements connected with completion of customs declarations. This is to ensure that trade with the EU continues as smoothly as possible after Brexit on 31 October.

To apply for a training grant, a business must either:

• complete customs declarations for itself or someone else (or intend to in the future); or
• import from, or export to the EU and complete customs declarations (or intend to complete customs declarations in the future).

The grant will cover up to 100% of the cost of training for employees, up to a limit of £2,250 for each course.

An IT improvements grant is also available. To qualify, a business must:

1. currently complete customs declarations for importers and exporters;
2. have less than 250 employees
3. have an annual turnover of €50m or less.

The grant will be worth up to €200,000 to buy software as well as necessary hardware and setup costs for completing customs declarations. The funding must be used for a ready-made solution – it cannot be used to commission bespoke software.

You can apply for both grants if required and applicable. Those who applied for the first wave of grants may apply again for expenditure incurred on or after 31 July 2019.

It is advisable to apply early as applications will close on 31st January 2020, or earlier if funding is fully allocated.

For more information on how to apply and the information required prior to making the application, please speak to our VAT specialist Jas Dhillon (jaspaldhillon@lubbockfine.co.uk).