Please see the latest Business Readiness updates below.
CONTENTS
A message from the new Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng: The Brexit transition period is over and now is the time to seize the opportunities ahead
I am delighted to have been appointed Business Secretary.
The last year has been extremely challenging for millions of businesses. There is, however, cause for optimism with both the roll-out of vaccines and a trade agreement with the European Union now secured.
Although the transition period has ended, businesses still need to take steps to adapt to the new rules which have come into force. We continue to work closely with businesses, including contacting exporters, their representatives, and transporters to advise on the requirements for keeping goods on the move.
The checker tool on gov.uk/transition will give you a personalised list of actions you need to take now, or for any further queries you can contact our dedicated business support helplines. There is also specific guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland.
To support you through the pandemic and into recovery, you can also find out exactly what financial support your business is eligible for on gov.uk.
I am confident that the deals the UK Government has negotiated with the EU, and many other countries around the world, will provide a positive trading environment for businesses like yours to make the most of the new opportunities that this year will bring.
I wish you and your business every success for 2021.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Keep your business moving: New video explainers on doing business with Europe
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a series of new, on demand videos to help businesses familiarise themselves with the new rules and the actions they should take. Businesses can find out more about 18 topics, including importing and exporting, trade, data, and audit and accounting.
Register now to immediately access the video content. New rules are here – make sure your business is prepared.
List of video explainers
List of sectors covered
Recorded webinars:
Help and support for UK transition: Get help on UK transition with online webinars from HMRC:
New video explainers on doing business with Europe: To support firms, the Business Department has launched a series of new, on demand videos to help businesses familiarise themselves with the new rules and the actions they should take. Businesses can find out more about 18 topics, including importing and exporting, trade, data, and audit and accounting. Register now to immediately access the video content.
Alphabetical list of video explainers
Alphabetical list of sectors (key videos for your sector and other cross-cutting sectors of relevance)
Customs and haulage
List of customs agents and fast parcel operators: The list of customs agents and the list of fast parcel operators have been updated.
The pre-lodgement model for controlling goods from the EU into Great Britain: A summary of the reasonable steps for port operators using the pre-lodgement model to control goods from the EU into Great Britain for frontier operators.
Carry out international road haulage Added a new section called ‘Make sure you’re ready to import and export’. Added information to the ‘Customs and document checks away from ports’ section about telling HMRC you’ll be attending an inland border facility to help you get processed on site as quickly as possible.
Added information about getting a coronavirus (COVID-19) test before you travel to Denmark, France and the Netherlands.
International road haulage: HGV driver documents Updated section on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing to link through to a list of countries which require negative test results before you enter them.
eCommerce Directive
The eCommerce Directive and the UK: Added section covering provisions
