Miles leads his panel into conversation about the latest legislation for importing goods into the UK from Europe and how hauliers and UK companies are coping with the change. The discussion also talks about what impact the next legislation and systems deadlines are likely to have and give their professional predictions on the likely outcomes. Panel: Miles Vartan – Podcast Host and Owner of Vartan Consultancy Alan Long – Managing Director of Collabor8, expert in HM Customs & Excise (HMRC) Sean Turner – Senior VAT Manager at Menzies and specialist in the movement of goods. Neil Bird – Senior Consultant at Vartan Consultancy and expert on customs compliance. Following a recent survey on how companies are managing the new legislation and compliance on importing goods from the EU, the panel give their feedback and opinion on the results. Sean Turner waves a red flag on certain situations and pinpoints issues with VAT postponement and compares the traditional method of VAT payment and the benefits of taking the VAT postponement initiative. Alan Long takes the conversation further by looking at sea crossings and identifying where there might be real problems with the short sea crossings due to the recently added mandatory compliance processes that could keep haulage backed up, particularly for the Calais to Dover and the Wales to Ireland short crossings. The panel move on to the next deadline of 1 July 2022 whereby new legislation comes into effect on animal origin food products and the new rules and processes for importing from Europe.  On 30th September 2022 there will be another important change as importers and exporters will have to switch from using the ‘CHIEF’ system (The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight) to a entirely new system, ‘CDS’ (Customs Declaration System). The panel discuss the differences between these two systems, how completely different they are for inputters, with CDS requiring data elements rather than the box filling system required with CHIEF. Neil Bird advises companies to consult with their software system consultants for a smooth transition. The panel also highly recommend training and analysis before the switch over date. CHIEF will not be operational from 1st October 2022. Alan Long highlights the problem of a customs agents shortage and the likely impact on businesses thereafter. The panel also talk about the long-awaited promise from the government for an all-inclusive smart software system which will enable importers and exporters to fill in all of their compliance data simultaneously rather than multi form filling which is the current format. Miles finishes off asking the panel to score from 0 – 10 (10 being the most positive score) on how  they see this year is likely to play out with the new systems in place. Listen to their results – they may, or may not surprise you! If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode. Visit www.vartanconsultancy.com or email Miles on [email protected]  or call VARTAN on 01394 671756.  Follow Vartan on Twitter or Linkedin. Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.