EU Exit Transition Guidance
EU Exit Transition Guidance
There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements.
The current rules on trade, travel, and business for the UK and EU will continue to apply during the transition period.
Actions you can take now
Actions you can take now that do not depend on negotiations.
Staying in the UK if you’re an EU citizen
Check if you need to apply to the settlement scheme if you or your family are from the EU, or from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Continue living and working in the EU
Living and working in an EU country depends on the rules in that country.
You may need to register or apply for residency. You should check that you’re covered for healthcare.
You may also need to exchange your UK driving licence for a licence issued by the EU country where you live.
Businesses that import and export goods
From 1 January 2021 you will need to make customs declarations to move goods into and out of the EU. You should:
- get an EORI number if you do not already have one
- decide how you want to make customs declarations and whether you need to get someone to deal with customs for you
New rules will take effect on 1 January 2021.
You should prepare now and subscribe to email updates about any additional arrangements.
Click here for the latest information and guidance.
Accounting for UK companies from 1 January 2021
Selling services to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein from 1 January 2021
Border and transition period
Following a meeting with the Withdrawal Joint Committee on 12 June 2020, the UK has formally notified the EU that it will neither accept or seek any extension to the Transition Period.
Recognising the impact of coronavirus on businesses’ ability to prepare, the UK will introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021.
- From January 2021:Traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for basic customs requirements, such as keeping sufficient records of imported goods, and will have up to six months to complete customs declarations. While tariffs will need to be paid on all imports, payments can be deferred until the customs declaration has been made. There will be checks on controlled goods like alcohol and tobacco. Businesses will also need to consider how they account for VAT on imported goods. There will also be physical checks at the point of destination on all high risk live animals and a proportion of low-risk live animals.
- From April 2021:All products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, pet food, honey, milk or egg products – and all regulated plants and plant products will also require pre-notification and the relevant health documentation.
- From July 2021:Traders moving all goods will have to make declarations at the point of importation and pay relevant tariffs. Full Safety and Security declarations will be required, while for SPS commodities there will be an increase in physical checks and the taking of samples: checks for animals, plants and their products will now take place at GB Border Control Posts.
To support businesses with the new processes taking effect next year, the UK Government has developed a new £50 million package to boost the capacity of customs intermediaries – including customs brokers, freight forwarders and express parcel operators – providing businesses with further support. This funding will support intermediaries with recruitment, training and supplying IT equipment to help handle customs declarations. Applications for the new funding will be open from July and HMRC will unveil more details in due course. Rules will also be changed to remove barriers for intermediaries taking on new clients.
Growth Hub Support
Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub are offering businesses in Cheshire and Warrington a diagnostic to discuss what preparations and changes may be needed for the business. For information about this diagnostic please email support@candwgrowthhub.co.uk