Why Irish business needs to be Ready for Customs
From the 1st January 2021 our trading relationship with the UK will change fundamentally. One of the most urgent issues facing Irish businesses is that exporting goods to or importing goods from the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) will require a customs declaration. Our research reveals that insufficient customs clearance capacity is a significant risk for Irish enterprises from 1st January 2021. In the July Jobs Stimulus package, the Government announced that Enterprise Ireland will manage a new €20m fund to assist Irish business meet this challenge – the Ready for Customs grant.
The Ready for Customs grant will assist your business to increase its capacity to manage the customs process after 1st January 2021.
- Up to €9,000 is available for each new full-time employee engaged in customs work.
- If you employ a new person to deal with customs on a part-time basis a grant of up to €4,500 is available.
- This grant contributes to recruitment costs, employee costs and provision of IT infrastructure.
Eligible Enterprises
The Ready for Customs grant is open to companies which are directly engaged in business activities to, from, or through the UK and which will require new or increased customs clearance capacity. These include enterprises that:
- Are providing freight, haulage, logistics services to, from or through the UK or
- Are providing customs intermediary services or
- Are directly engaged in business activities with or through the UK
Check your eligibility in the Ready for Customs T&Cs before applying.
Apply Now
Applications are currently open. The application process will close when the €20m fund has been dispersed or on 15th December at 3pm, whichever is earlier.
Businesses are advised to read the Ready for Customs T&Cs and apply as early as possible.
