The government’s notes on what leaving the EU with no trade deal might entail, published in August, were welcomed by British Art Market Federation chairman Anthony Browne. “Businesses do not like uncertainty so we are encouraged about the planning of this – serious consideration about the practicalities of cross-border trade is being undertaken,” he said.
Browne has been lobbying government on the needs of the art market and detail of any new rules for the import and export of goods is keenly awaited by the art and antiques trade.
Freya Simms, chief executive at LAPADA, said: “The first thing is not to panic. Those who trade across borders will already have some idea of what it entails. Perhaps of most concern is the potential extra bureaucracy. We are already consulting logistics providers and shippers.”
She said LAPADA will be producing its own guidelines for members, as has fellow trade body BADA.
BADA said it has negotiated a reduced price for all members to use the Descartes system which offers a platform to manage export and import reporting for customs and HMRC declarations.
Cross-border trade advice can be found on the gov.uk website.
