London, UK: The Goods Vehicle Movement Service will be put into “end to end” tests with businesses on 14 December – just 17 days before the end of the transition period.
Government officials told the Northern Ireland affairs committee on 2 December that the Goods Vehicle Movement Service would be ready on 14 December but warned that could be “glitches” in the launch of any new system. However, it will have extra staff in place on a 24/7 basis.
In October Cabinet minister Michael Gove Brexit told a parliamentary select committee that he “hoped” the Goods Vehicle Movement Service would be ready by 4 December, with “Check HGV” also due to come online in December.
HMRC director Aidan Reilly told the NI committee that there will “absolutely” be a light-touch grace period for traders transporting goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1 January when it comes to new customs rules.
