Post-Brexit breakthrough on temporary thoroughbred movements

The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group has today welcomed a change to customs arrangements making the movement of horses into Britain for racing and breeding simpler.

The change, which will serve to facilitate international competition and movement, follows significant representations by the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Previously, in the majority of cases, thoroughbreds entering Great Britain on a temporary basis had to be accompanied by a financial guarantee, equivalent to 20% of its value. While this guarantee would be refunded once the thoroughbred had returned home, this was posing significant cashflow challenges and acting as an inhibitor for international participation in British thoroughbred racing and breeding.

A new, industry-specific, facilitation has now been agreed by HMRC to the Temporary Admission procedure. This allows intermediaries (such as a transporter or shipper) to apply for an authorisation enabling them to move thoroughbreds under multiple ownerships, without the need for a financial guarantee to be provided on these movements.

This change follows facilitations which were enacted by the Irish Revenue for movements of thoroughbreds into Ireland for racing purposes earlier this year.

For further information on the ongoing work of the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, please visit the BHA Brexit webpage.