Brexit and Transition

Doing business with Europe has changed. You need to follow new rules on exports, imports, tariffs, data and hiring. You can use the Brexit checker https://www.gov.uk/transition-check/questions  to get a personalised list of actions for you and your business.

Exporting and Importing

Help and support if your business trades with the EU.

To buy or sell from the EU you will need to follow new customs rules or you will not be able to continue to trade. These important actions are required regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the EU and whether or not the government secures a Free Trade Agreement.

Find out what you need do here

As of  1 January 2021 the process for importing and exporting goods has changed. Find out what you need to do to continue to:

• import goods from the EU
• export goods to the EU

Exporters: sign up for the EU dual-use OGEL: Check now whether your business will need to register for the Open General Export Licence (OGEL).

HMRC has written to VAT-registered businesses highlighting actions they need to take to prepare for new processes for moving goods.

HMRC have created a series of short videos aimed at helping those businesses brand new to customs. Click here to find out more.

Border Operating Model and Trade

The updated Border Operating Model provides further detail on how the GB-EU border will work and the actions that traders, hauliers and passengers need to take. These steps will be needed regardless of whether we reach a trade agreement with the EU. The updated GB-EU Border Operating Model: 

• Maps out the intended locations of inland border infrastructure. The sites will provide the necessary additional capacity to carry out checks on freight.
• Announces that passports will be required for entry into the UK from October 2021 as the Government phases out the use of EU, EEA and Swiss national identity cards as a valid travel document for entry to the UK.
• Confirms that a Kent Access Permit will be mandatory for HGVs using the short strait channel crossings in Kent. The ‘Check an HGV’ service will allow hauliers to check if they have the correct customs documentation and obtain a Kent Access Permit.

Food and Drink Businesses

Find out what you need to do to prepare your  you need to do as a food and drink business  to work with the EU.

Employing people

Further information for employers on employing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, covering right to work checks, the EU Settlement Scheme and the UK’s new immigration system.

The way you hire from the EU has changed. You need to register as a licensed sponsor to hire eligible people from outside the UK.

Free movement has ended, and the new points-based immigration system has salary and language requirements that change the way you hire from the EU.

The new system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally and transforms the way in which employers recruit from outside the UK.

You need a sponsor licence to hire most eligible employees from outside the UK. This does not apply to Irish citizens.

Some immigration routes, such as Global Talent, are ‘unsponsored’. You don’t need a licence to hire employees with an unsponsored visa.

Find out more information here.

The Home Office has created a podcast episode in partnership with Intelligence Squared to help you prepare for the points-based immigration system.

Listen now to Business and the future of immigration in 2021

Digital & Data

Using personal data in your business or other organisation after the transition period: What action you need to take regarding data protection and data flows with the EU/EEA.

The eCommerce Directive and the UK

The eCommerce Directive no longer applies to the UK, now that the transition period is over.

Rules relating to online activities in European Economic Area (EEA) countries, may newly apply to UK online service providers who operate in the EEA, now that the transition period is over. If you are a provider of online services, you should take steps in response to these changes.

Guidance, outlining what has changed and what checks you need to make, has been issued.

For more information, click here.

Data protection and Copyright law

EU business: data protection and copyright: Guidance on what EU businesses need to do with data protection, intellectual property and copyright in the UK, has been updated with the latest information on transferring personal data to the UK. For more information, click here.

Support

Webinars and Podcasts

• Webinars for organisations that trade with the EU: Click here to view a list of webinars you can sign up to watch live or on demand.  
• HMRC customs declarations webinars: have launched multiple editions of this live webinar covering how to complete customs import declarations and explaining how to make import declarations when importing goods between the EU and Great Britain. To register and find a date, click here.
• HMRC webinars: Get help on UK transition with online webinars from HMRC by registering for webinars on:
• Importing: staged controls and how to prepare to use them 
• Exporting: actions you need to take to prepare for 1 January 2021 

           To register, and for more information. Click here.

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is hosting a series of free podcasts to help businesses that make, use or supply chemicals, understand what actions they should take as independent GB chemical regimes are now in place. To listen to the podcast, just search ‘The HSE Podcast’ on your chosen platform. Audiences can also register to receive notifications for each episode released, to do so, click here.

Business Support Helpline

A helpline has been set up.  For English businesses, the Business Support Helpline can help you identify the actions you need to take. Similar helplines are available for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

For businesses in England, call 0800 998 1098

For more information, including opening hours, click here

Surrey Chambers of Commerce International Trade Support

Surrey Chambers has prepared for the end of the EU transition period and the effects that will have on businesses. All the necessary information can be found on the International Trade area of their website, a dedicated e-mail address of [email protected] can be used for enquiries, further details can be found here.