Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Alcohol Exporters: Customs Requirements

Tuesday 28 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to meet and address specific issues raised by Nia Griffith regarding HMRC paperwork for alcohol exporters.
  • HMRC is implementing a programme to reduce the number of forms traders need to fill out and is working to prepopulate forms to streamline customs processes.
  • The Minister supports the idea of a trade agreement with India, which would be beneficial for UK exporters, including alcohol exporters.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

Concerns over HMRC's extensive paperwork hindering alcohol exports, with specific issues raised about the need for additional letters of confirmation beyond standard invoicing.

Question

Whether his Department is taking steps to reduce Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs paperwork for alcohol exporters. We all understand the need to protect revenue and prevent fraud, but some alcohol exporting companies find their exports hindered by HMRC's refusal to accept standard invoicing as proof of tax paid. Will the Minister agree to meet me to find a way forward that can both protect revenue and facilitate exports?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I would be very happy to meet the hon. Member and look at the specific issues that she has raised, but I reassure her that HMRC is currently in a programme to ensure that traders have to fill in fewer forms and that forms are prepopulated, so that customs can be streamlined for the trader.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to meeting specifically or address additional letters of confirmation beyond general improvements.

How: Reassurance, Broad Commitments

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Q2 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Taxation Business & Trade
Context

Concerns over HMRC's extensive paperwork hindering alcohol exports, with specific issues raised about the need for additional letters of confirmation beyond standard invoicing.

Question

We all understand the need to protect revenue and prevent fraud, but some alcohol exporting companies find that their exports are being hindered by HMRC's refusal to accept standard invoicing as proof of tax paid. HMRC, in requiring additional letters of confirmation, is therefore causing companies considerable hindrance to their exports. Will the Minister agree to meet me to find a way forward that can both protect revenue and facilitate exports?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I would be very happy to meet the hon. Member and look at the specific issues that she has raised, but I reassure her that HMRC is currently in a programme to ensure that traders have to fill in fewer forms and that forms are prepopulated, so that customs can be streamlined for the trader.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to meeting specifically or address additional letters of confirmation beyond general improvements.

How: Reassurance, Broad Commitments

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Business & Trade
Context

Discussion about the potential benefits of a trade agreement between the UK and India for various exporters, particularly in the alcohol sector.

Question

Does the Minister agree that a trade agreement with India would be a huge boost to our exporters, including our alcohol exporters?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

The Government are very much committed to trade agreements across the globe and would welcome a trade agreement with India.

Not addressed: No specific commitment or detail about how such an agreement would help alcohol exporters was provided.

How: Broad Statements

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