Tax News Daily
The latest tax news from around the world, summarised and tagged for tax professionals. Updated twice daily.
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Guidance: Import Control System 2: service availability and issues
The UK's Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is a customs IT platform managing import declarations and safety/security data for goods entering Great Britain. This guidance page tracks service availability, outages, and known technical issues affecting the system. ICS2 is central to UK customs and trade compliance, directly impacting importers, freight forwarders, and customs agents who must submit entry summary declarations. Disruptions to ICS2 can delay customs clearance and affect duty assessments, making it a critical operational tool for businesses engaged in cross-border trade with the UK post-Brexit.
Notice: Notices made under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018
This UK government publication consolidates formal notices issued under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018, the primary post-Brexit legislation governing UK customs, tariffs, and trade remedies. These notices have legal force and cover matters such as tariff rates, customs procedures, trade remedy measures, and preferential trade arrangements. They are directly relevant to importers, exporters, and customs practitioners operating under the UK Global Tariff. The notices reflect ongoing updates to the UK's autonomous trade and customs framework following its departure from the EU customs union and single market.
Peshawar Enforcement raises Rs2.9b from confiscated gold, silver & foreign currency in FY2025-26
Pakistan's Peshawar Enforcement collectorate raised Rs2.9 billion in fiscal year 2025-26 through confiscation and auctioning of smuggled gold, silver, and foreign currency. The enforcement action highlights customs authorities' crackdown on illicit cross-border flows of precious metals and undeclared foreign exchange. Revenue generated from seized contraband contributes to Pakistan's customs receipts, underscoring the role of enforcement operations in bolstering government finances and combating smuggling that undermines formal trade and tax compliance frameworks.
Making an entry summary declaration
This UK government guidance covers the requirements for making an entry summary declaration (ENS) for goods entering Great Britain. It details the customs pre-arrival safety and security obligations, including who must submit declarations, timing requirements, and the information needed. The ENS is a key customs compliance requirement under UK trade law, relevant to importers, carriers, and freight forwarders managing cross-border goods movements into the UK. Non-compliance can result in goods being held or refused entry, making this a critical customs and trade document for businesses engaged in international trade with the UK.
EU – Possible Postponement of the Import Levy for Low-Value Goods
The EU is considering postponing the planned import levy on low-value goods, which was set to take effect in 2026. This levy targets the surge in low-value e-commerce imports, particularly from non-EU sellers, and was designed to create a fairer competitive environment for EU-based businesses by removing the VAT exemption on consignments below €150. A postponement could delay efforts to address tax fairness concerns in cross-border e-commerce. The proposal reflects ongoing debates about balancing trade facilitation with revenue collection and protecting domestic retailers from cheaper imports benefiting from current tax exemptions.
HMRC publishes manual on trade between Northern Ireland and the EU
HMRC has published a new manual providing guidance on trade between Northern Ireland and the EU. The manual addresses the specific VAT and customs rules that apply under the Windsor Framework, which governs the unique trading arrangements for Northern Ireland following Brexit. It covers the movement of goods, applicable VAT treatments, and compliance obligations for businesses operating in this cross-border context. This guidance is particularly relevant for traders navigating the distinct regulatory environment that differentiates Northern Ireland from Great Britain in terms of EU single market access and associated indirect tax rules.
Statutory guidance: Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
This statutory guidance covers reference documents for the UK's Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. It outlines the preferential tariff rates applicable under various trade agreements following the UK's departure from the EU. The documents serve as legal references for importers and customs practitioners determining applicable duty rates under preferential arrangements. This is directly relevant to UK customs and trade compliance, particularly for businesses importing goods under free trade agreements where reduced or zero tariff rates may apply based on rules of origin and bilateral trade deal provisions.
Guidance: Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
This HMRC guidance details Appendix 2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), specifically covering DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Codes. These codes are used by traders and agents when completing customs declarations to indicate special procedures, reliefs, or treatments applicable to specific imports or exports. The guidance is essential for UK customs compliance, enabling accurate declaration of goods under various customs regimes including inward/outward processing relief and other special procedures. It is a technical operational document directly relevant to customs duty administration and trade compliance in the UK post-Brexit.
Trump’s Wall, the Tariff Wall
This article examines Trump's tariff policies, drawing a parallel between his proposed physical border wall and the 'tariff wall' created through sweeping import duties. It analyzes the economic implications of using tariffs as a trade and immigration enforcement tool, discussing how broad tariff increases function as a tax on imports affecting consumers and businesses. The piece critiques the use of tariffs as leverage across multiple policy goals, highlighting the costs imposed on the U.S. economy and the distortionary effects of treating tariffs as a multipurpose policy instrument rather than a focused trade measure.
EU – Customs Duty Levy for Low-Value Imports: New EUR 3 Fee and Compliance Rules from 2026
The EU is introducing a EUR 3 customs duty levy on low-value imports effective 2026, targeting the de minimis exemption that currently allows goods valued under EUR 150 to enter the EU without customs duties. This reform aims to level the playing field between EU and non-EU sellers, particularly addressing the surge in low-value e-commerce parcels from platforms like Shein and Temu. The new fee will apply per consignment and introduces compliance obligations for sellers and platforms facilitating such imports. The change forms part of broader EU customs reform efforts to modernize trade rules and capture revenue from high-volume, low-value shipments.
Customs debt liability
UK government guidance on customs debt liability, covering who is responsible for paying customs duties when goods are imported into the UK. The guidance outlines the circumstances under which customs debt arises, identifies the parties liable for payment, and explains how HMRC determines and enforces debt obligations. It addresses joint and several liability situations, the role of customs agents and representatives, and the consequences of non-compliance. This is directly relevant to importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other trade participants operating within the UK customs regime.
Australia: Draft GST guidance issued on cross-border supplies
The Australian Taxation Office has issued draft GST guidance addressing cross-border supplies of goods and services. The guidance clarifies how Goods and Services Tax applies to transactions involving non-resident suppliers and Australian consumers, covering areas such as digital services, intangibles, and imported goods. This draft guidance aims to provide clearer compliance direction for businesses engaged in cross-border trade with Australia, helping them determine GST obligations, registration requirements, and the correct treatment of various supply types. Businesses operating internationally with Australian customers should review the draft guidance and consider submitting feedback during the consultation period.
The New Section 301 Tariff Regime
This article examines the updated Section 301 tariff regime in the United States, which allows the Office of the US Trade Representative to impose tariffs on imports from countries engaged in unfair trade practices. The piece analyzes the structure, legal basis, and economic implications of these tariffs, particularly focusing on how they affect trade flows, retaliatory measures from trading partners, and the broader customs and trade policy landscape. Section 301 tariffs represent a significant trade tool with direct customs and import duty consequences for businesses operating across US borders.
Amend or cancel a Customs Declaration Service import declaration
UK HMRC guidance on how to amend or cancel an import declaration submitted through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). The guidance covers the procedural steps traders and agents must follow to correct errors or withdraw declarations after submission, including timeframes, eligibility conditions, and the distinction between amendment and cancellation. Accurate customs declarations are essential for correct duty and VAT calculations on imports. This operational guidance is relevant to importers, customs agents, and freight forwarders managing post-submission corrections in the UK's post-Brexit customs environment.
FBR notifies fresh customs values of steel pipes vide VR No68/2026
Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued fresh customs valuation ruling VR No. 68/2026, notifying updated customs values for steel pipes. The revision establishes new benchmark import values used to assess customs duties on steel pipe imports, a measure commonly used by Pakistani customs authorities to combat undervaluation and ensure accurate duty collection. Such valuation rulings are periodically updated to reflect current market prices and prevent revenue leakage at the border. The notification directly affects importers of steel pipes operating in Pakistan.
Govt targets Rs14b in mobile handset levy collections for FY 2026-27
The Pakistani government has set a revenue target of Rs14 billion from mobile handset levies for the fiscal year 2026-27. This levy, applied on mobile phone imports and local manufacturing, forms part of the government's broader strategy to boost non-tax and tax revenues. The mobile handset levy functions as a form of customs or regulatory duty on devices entering or produced in Pakistan. The target reflects anticipated growth in mobile penetration and device sales, with collections managed through Pakistan's tax and customs administration framework.
Pay duty on biofuels or road fuel gas
This UK government guidance covers the duty obligations applicable to biofuels and road fuel gas, addressing fuel duty compliance requirements for producers, importers, and users of these alternative fuels. The guidance outlines which biofuels and gas types are subject to excise duty when used as road fuel, the applicable duty rates, registration requirements, and how to make payments to HMRC. It is relevant for businesses operating in the biofuel supply chain, fleet operators using gas-powered vehicles, and tax professionals advising clients in the energy and transport sectors on UK excise duty compliance obligations.
Justices Won't Review Trump's First-Term China Tariff Hikes
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the tariff increases on Chinese goods imposed during Trump's first term, leaving intact the elevated customs duties that have significantly affected trade between the United States and China. The justices' refusal to take up the case means the tariff hikes, implemented under Section 301 of the Trade Act, will continue to stand. This decision has major implications for importers, supply chains, and businesses that have been absorbing or contesting these additional customs costs, effectively closing off a judicial challenge route to the substantial trade levies.
EU’s €3 Import Levy: Balancing reform with practical implementation
The EU's proposed €3 import levy targets low-value consignments, primarily from e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein, aiming to address the customs duty exemption on goods valued under €150. The levy forms part of broader EU customs reform seeking to create a fairer competitive environment for European retailers burdened by VAT and duty obligations. Implementation challenges include defining liable parties, collection mechanisms, and platform compliance requirements. The reform intersects with existing VAT rules for deemed suppliers and raises questions about administrative burden, cross-border enforcement, and alignment with WTO obligations. Tax professionals should monitor legislative developments affecting import compliance frameworks across EU member states.
EU – Customs Reform: Imposition of the E-Commerce Customs Duty Fee
The EU is implementing significant customs reform targeting e-commerce imports, introducing a customs duty fee on low-value consignments previously exempt under the €150 threshold. The reform, expected to take effect in 2026, eliminates the de minimis customs exemption for e-commerce goods and introduces a new simplified tariff structure. A handling fee will be imposed on low-value imports to cover administrative costs. The changes primarily target high-volume e-commerce platforms and sellers shipping directly to EU consumers, particularly from non-EU countries like China. Marketplaces may become deemed importers, shifting compliance obligations and duty collection responsibilities to platforms rather than individual sellers.
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