The UK Government has published a policy paper outlining plans for a new customs arrangement, including asking senior European Union officials for a ‘temporary customs unions’ after Brexit, which could last up to three years.
The paper is the first of a series in which the UK will set out how it wants its future relationship with Europe to work.
The UK has reiterated its commitment to the Crown Dependencies – Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man – within the paper, stating that ‘the government will work with the governments of the Crown Dependencies and ensure their priorities are taken into account’.
The Customs Union is a trade agreement between EU states that allows their companies to exchange goods tariff-free, while imposing tariffs on imports from outside the bloc.
A spokesman for the External Relations Department said that the States had spoken to UK government officials about the content of the policy paper and that they are ‘confident that our views are being taken into consideration on trade matters’.
He said: ‘We welcome the written commitment made by the UK Government to ensure that the Crown Dependencies are engaged with and able to contribute to the future of UK trade policy, inasmuch as the Islands are part of the EU Customs Union and will be directly affected by the changing relationship between the UK and the EU.
‘Round-table meetings on trade and the Customs Union continue between our officials, those of the Crown Dependencies, and representatives of various UK Departments. It is our priority to achieve access to the EU goods markets, including for agriculture and fisheries products, on terms no less favourable than the United Kingdom’s, including during any transitional period.
‘We will be consulting closely with local businesses and industry bodies on the proposals made within the policy paper and throughout the Brexit negotiation period to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for the Island.’
