“Landmark” deal secures “frictionless” trade with UK

Tuesday 27 November 2018

Goods will still be able to pass between Jersey and the UK without "friction" after Brexit, following what's being billed as a “landmark” customs agreement.

The Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, yesterday signed a deal which he says will ensure the island is still able to trade with the UK without tariffs, and with no restrictions on quantities.

Jersey and the UK are currently part of a customs union with the EU, which will change following Brexit.

The deal was made to make sure that neither is at a disadvantage when the UK officially withdraws from the EU, and “frictionless” trade can continue. 

Delighted to sign new customs arrangements with Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man this morning @hmtreasury.

The arrangements mean that when the UK leaves the EU, traders moving goods between the UK and Crown Dependencies will continue to pay no customs duty. pic.twitter.com/GCAl5VluxL

— Mel Stride MP (@MelJStride) November 26, 2018

It was also agreed that Jersey will impose the same common external tarrifs as the UK on goods traded at the border.

Senator Gorst said that the arrangement ensured that Jersey maintained a close customs and free trade relationship with the UK.

“Lord Keen wrote to me last week about the unprecedented level of cooperation between us and I am pleased that the signing of this customs arrangement has been an important success in our centuries-old constitutional relationship. This arrangement also lays the basis for a positive outcome for our future relationship with the EU,” he commented. 

New arrangements were also secured with the Isle of Man and Guernsey. UK government officials said that the commitment was in line with the Prime Minister’s intentions to “deliver for the whole UK family” with her Brexit deal.

I am pleased to have signed a Jersey-U.K. Customs Arrangement today. This will allow #Jerseyci to continue to trade with the U.K. free of tariffs, with no restrictions on quantities, after #Brexit. Similar arrangements have been agreed between the U.K. & @Govgg & @IOMGovernment pic.twitter.com/gLu9D4M2BC

— Senator Ian Gorst (@Ian_Gorst) November 26, 2018

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride said: “These new agreements place our customs relationships on a firm footing for the future, and reflect the shared objective of the UK and Crown Dependency governments to ensure a continuation of our current customs relationships when the UK leaves the EU.”