The United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) has welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Government over the planned introduction of a ‘register for fulfilment houses’ that store and distribute goods on behalf of online retailers.

The ‘register’ is designed to tackle non-EU online traders that do not pay the correct VAT and duty on goods held in UK warehouses and sold to UK consumers via websites - activity that is said to be costing £1.5bn in lost VAT revenue each year.

As The Voice of the Logistics Industry, UKWA is asking its members and other companies who might be affected by the introduction of the ‘register’, to visit its website where they can download HMRC’s Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme Consultation Document and pass on any comments or concerns regarding the impact of the scheme on their business

The consultation period ends on June 30th, so interested parties are asked to submit their comments by June 1st. UKWA, along with other stakeholder interest groups, will then present the industry’s position to HMRC.

Peter Ward, CEO of UKWA, commented: “UKWA and its members welcome any measures that help the Government clamp down on fraudulent activity that is depriving Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs of considerable revenue.

“As the leading trade association for the UK logistics industry, we are glad to have the opportunity to consult with the Government on this very significant issue. Industry feedback is essential and we would ask any company that is, or has been, involved with the fulfillment of online orders, to take the time to send us their thoughts so that UKWA can put the industry’s concerns to the Treasury.

“We plan to collate the feedback we receive and present a thorough and wide ranging response to the Treasury to ensure that the logistics industry is not penalised by the Government’s plans for a fulfillment house register.”