Businesses that import and export goods
The transition period from Brexit ended on Thursday 31 December 2020 and the process for importing and exporting goods changed from Friday 1 January 2021.
If you are importing or exporting goods from the EU, you must check the new rules and regulations. Full details on the transition and all of the changes can be found online at www.gov.uk/transition.
Call the Brexit Import Export helpline on 0300 3301 331 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) for information about importing and exporting goods after Brexit, including:
- customs declarations and procedures
- duties and tariffs
- importing and exporting different goods
- transporting goods to and from the EU
- product safety regulations
SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
From 15 March, smaller businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.
The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund, announced last month by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, will help traders to access practical support to ensure they can continue trading effectively with the EU.
Small and medium sized businesses that trade solely with the EU, and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes, are encouraged to apply for the grants. To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Read the guidance
Support for businesses and helpline
A full calendar of webinars for organisations that trade with the EU can be found on GOV.UK. Live webinars taking place next week include 'HMRC Exporting: what you need to do keep your goods moving' at 11:45am on 7 April and at 1.45pm on 13 April and 'HMRC Importing: what you need to know about Staged Controls' at 1.45pm on 8 April and at 11.45am on 14 April.
Businesses can also use the Brexit Checker tool on GOV.UK, which will provide a personalised list of the most up to date actions that businesses need to take.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has set up helplines to assist UK businesses with enquiries related to the end of the Transition Period.
The Business Support Helpline (0800 998 1098) can help businesses in England identify the actions they need to take. Businesses can also call HMRC's Customs and International Trade Helpline and speak to an adviser on 0300 322 9434 or get in touch by webchat or by emailing enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org.
Sign-up for the exporting webinars on 7 and 13 April
View the full calendar
EU Transition data protection partnership pack
The government has produced a partnership pack to support communication with businesses about ensuring personal data can continue to flow lawfully.
Personal data is any information that can be used to identify a living person. This type of information is regularly used in the daily running of most businesses and organisations, and can be anything from names and addresses, to payroll data.
The partnership pack includes key messages to be used on your website and in communications and creative content for social media, websites, newsletters and blogs.
Read the partnership pack
Useful websites and information