Subject to specific conditions, Returned Goods Relief (RGR) removes or reduces the repayment of import duties for goods that are re-imported into the same customs territory that they have already been exported from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, many GB businesses are experiencing EU customers being unwilling to pay extra import duty and goods are being returned to GB businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RGR, initially, seemed a valid option to avoid incurring import duty on goods entering the EU from GB then returning to GB. It has proved complicated, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Up until January 2021, the UK was an EU member state. What we today call an international goods movement (import or export) used to be a domestic EU movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Brexit, one of the key criteria for RGR, a \u2018proof of export\u2019, could not be satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goods movements did not have the required export document: the export declaration or wet-stamped INF3 form issued by the exporting EU MS customs administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, the UK and EU have recently agreed a temporary simplification to the criteria for RGR, removing the need for proof of export on returned goods returning until 30 June 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This arrangement is reciprocal meaning any EU goods returning to the EU may also benefit from this simplification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-year time limit for return of goods, does not apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For goods returning to the EU, the goods either must have been in GB at the end of the transition period. There also needs to be proof that they were previously in the EU, before the end of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In line with the above provision, as per Notice 236, Returned Goods Relief, 4.2 RGR is available for Non-Union goods that used to be Union goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RGR is, in some cases, available for use with non-union goods, as per Notice 236, December 2018, Returned Goods Relief, 4.2, which states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNon-Union goods which, having originally been exported as Union goods from the Customs territory of the Union, are returned to that territory within a period of three years and declared for release for free circulation shall, upon application by the person concerned, be granted relief from import duty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n