Welcome to NICDS
Northern Ireland Customs Declaration Service
Welcome to NICDS
Northern Ireland Customs Declaration Service
How have other companies responded?
To answer the first question it's good practice to look at what other companies are doing. The most common resolution companies have implemented to tackle these issues is to add the submission of supplementary declarations (SUP) as an additional responsibility to an existing employee which takes both time and skills away from the business, that employee isn't focusing on aspects of the business they were originally employed for.
Others have employed additional personnel and created a new job title within their business solely to action these new requirements. Which in itself comes with all the legalities, contracts and costs you would expect. This can prove difficult should the purchasing or sales between Great Britain and Northern Ireland reduce thus affecting the role requirement in the business.
Worst case scenario...
Every business is different and after reviewing the above most are not in the position to action those internal changes. Either because staff are already stretched with current roles and responsibilities or the company is operating on a reduced head count.
Others simply cannot justify employing new staff after factoring in all the hiring and ongoing costs involved such as National Insurance Contributions, Pension, Holiday, Sick Pay and more.
The true cost of an employee is unlikely to be less than 1.7 times basic salary. Even on minimum wage working a standard 37.5 hour week, this can be an ongoing additional expense of at least £37k per annum. Not to mention finding the right person with the import/export skills and knowledge. As a result unfortunately some companies have ceased trading between GB to NI.
Is Outsourcing right for your business?
We like to think so, the above are only a few real life situations we hear much to often. Outsourcing those skill sets and admin time keeps the costs low and allows you to keep your focus on the day to day running and growth of your company. The added benefit is, unlike taking on additional personnel there are no fixed monthly outgoing. The service we offer is closer to a pay and go service, thus can be used as and when you require.
As an example if you sell seasonal products resulting in some months with no goods movements. Then you are not tied into a monthly outgoing such as a salary keeping you in full control of the companies monthly expenditure.