HM Government of Gibraltar has today published a further set of guidance documents designed to assist businesses, traders and relevant stakeholders in preparing for the practical operation of the new arrangements under the UK/EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar.

The documents published today are:

• Guidance Note on Annex 19 special customs procedures;
• Guidance Note on Annex 21 special customs procedures, accompanied by:
• Guidance Note issued by the Spanish authorities on the same;
• Translation of the Spanish Guidance Note; and
• Guidance Note on Transit

These documents form part of the Government’s continuing programme of technical guidance to support the business community and ensure that those affected by the new arrangements have access to clear, practical and timely information.

The Guidance Notes provide further detail on the special customs procedures and transit arrangements envisaged under the Treaty framework and are intended to help businesses understand how the new processes will apply in practice.

The Government will continue to publish further guidance as appropriate and will maintain its engagement with businesses and stakeholders as implementation work progresses. The Government will also shortly arrange further Town Hall meetings to explain the Guidance Notes and provide businesses and stakeholders with an opportunity to raise questions directly.

The Minister for Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said:

“Today’s publication is important in ensuring that our business community has the information it needs as we prepare for the implementation of the Treaty.

“These are very technical documents, but they are also practical documents. They are designed to help businesses, traders and operators understand the procedures that will apply and to give them the confidence to prepare properly.

“We have been engaging closely with the business community throughout this process and we will continue to do so. Our objective is to make the transition as clear, orderly and workable as possible for those who will be operating under these new arrangements. I am very grateful to the Attorney General, Michael Llamas and his team, as well as HM Customs for their work in preparing these documents.”

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, said:

“The publication of these further Guidance Notes demonstrates the serious and detailed work that continues to be undertaken across Government in preparation for the Treaty.

“I want to thank officials on both sides who have worked on these documents and all those in Gibraltar who continue to engage constructively with Government as we prepare for this important new chapter.”

NOTE TO EDITORS:

These documents provide guidance only and are not a substitute for reading the Agreement. They do not provide legal or other advice and, if in doubt as to your obligations, you are strongly recommended to obtain legal advice. Ultimately, interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts.