The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year. Take action now to get ready for new rules from January 2021. This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for businesses.
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Placing manufactured goods on the market
- Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been issued detailing what you need to do to comply with regulations on manufactured goods you place on the Northern Ireland market from 1 January 2021. You can check which rules apply to you, if you need to change your conformity assessment or marking, find information about appointing an authorised person and check whether your legal responsibilities are changing and more here.
- Great Britain from 1 January 2021: Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to include information about placing qualifying goods on the market in Great Britain from Northern Ireland. For more information, click here.
There is different guidance if you’re placing manufactured goods on the EU Market from 1 January 2021.
New Guidance
Check what declarations need to be made for goods you bring or receive into the UK from 1 January 2021: If you’re a UK-based business bringing or receiving goods into Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Find out what declarations may need to be made by clicking here.
Check what declarations need to be made for goods you send the UK from 1 January 2021: If you’re a UK-based business sending goods from Great Britain or Northern Ireland find out what declarations may need to be made by clicking here.
Using personal data in your business or other organisation after the transition period: Guidance about personal data provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement has been updated. Click here for more information and to see what actions you need to take regarding data protection and data flows with the EU/EEA, after the end of the transition period.
Sector Guidance: Recently published sector focussed guidance can be accessed for those working in:
- The digital, technology and computer services sectors: For more information to help you understand what you need to do before 1 January 2021, click here.
- The sports and recreation sector: For more information to help you understand what you need to do before 1 January 2021, click here.
- The Art Market sector: For more information to help you understand what you need to do before 1 January 2021, click here.
- The media and broadcasting sector: For more information to help you understand what you need to do before 1 January 2021, click here.
International Trade: Information on trading with the following areas has been added:
- Ukraine: The UK has signed an agreement with Ukraine. This guidance provides information on aspects of trade that will change as soon as the UK-Ukraine agreement takes effect. It is for UK businesses trading with Ukraine. Find out more here.
- Côte d’Ivoire: The UK has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement, details of which can be found here.
- Developing nations: For further details on the UK’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences and trading with developing nations, click here.
Details of existing trade agreements with non-EU countries can be found here.
Public-sector procurement: From 1 January 2021, businesses will be able to use “Find a Tender” to view public procurement notices published by UK contracting authorities. You will still be able to use existing portals such as Contracts Finder, MOD Defence Contracts Online, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI to view low value or location specific notices. For more information, click here.
HMRC have released a short video to promote a new digital tool to help traders check if they can apply for authorisations to delay customs payments and declarations. To view the video, click here.
Updated Guidance
The date that you can claim VAT refunds has been updated:
- VAT refunds from EU countries from 1 January 2021: You can continue to use the EU VAT refund system to claim a VAT refund on expenses incurred before 1 January 2021 in EU member states, until 11pm on 31 March 2021. For more information, click here.
- UK VAT refunds from 1 January if you’re an EU business: The UK will continue to accept refund claims through the EU VAT refund system for VAT charged in the UK before 1 January 2021, until 11pm on 31 March 2021. For more information, click here.
Exporting or importing objects of cultural interest from 1 January 2021: To export cultural objects from 1 January 2021 you will need a UK license, guidance has been updated to reflect that Arts Council England Offices are still closed but can be contacted by email. For more information click here.
Fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances - How to do business from 1 January 2021: The quota registration and application window for HFCs and ODS is now open. For more information, click here.
Meeting climate change requirements from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to reflect that the European Commission has confirmed that UK-accredited verifiers are able to verify 2020 emissions for UK operators only, but not EU operators. For more information, click here.
Fresh fruit and vegetable marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to reflect that imports from the EU to Great Britain do not require an EU-issued Certificate of Conformity before they’re released into free circulation in Great Britain. There will be no change to the marketing standards requirements for importing fruit and vegetables to Northern Ireland (NI) from the EU and there is no change to the requirements for moving fruit and vegetables to GB from NI. For more information, click here.
Customs agents and fast parcel operators: The list of customs agents and fast parcel operators has been updated. For more information, click here.
Transition Webinars
With just 46 days to go until the end of the transition period, you can keep up to date by attending one of our webinars to help prepare your business:
- NEW: Using personal data from 1 January 2021 – 11am, Wednesday 18 November, and then on demand register here. This webinar will provide information on the actions you should take to prepare your business for new rules from January 2021 including:
- The UK Data Protection regime from January 2021
- Data Adequacy
- Data Preparedness
- NEW: Business Travel and investing or establishing in the EU from January 2021 – 11am, Wednesday 25 November, and then on demand, register here. This webinar will provide information on the actions you should take to prepare your business for new rules from January 2021 including:
- Travelling for business
- Owning, managing or directing a business in the EU
- Department for International Trade webinar for exporters - 10:30am – 11:30am, Thursday 19 November: The Department for International Trade (DIT) has organised a series of webinars to help UK businesses understand the new trading rules which will come into effect from 1 January 2021. For more information, and to register, click here.
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Webinars: UK Sanctions Policy and Compliance after the Transition Period.
- Tuesday 17 November, 13:00-14:00 GMT: Energy sector - Register here.
- Wednesday 18 November, 10:00-11:00 GMT: Wider private sector (please attend this session if your sector was not included in earlier webinars or if you were unable to attend them) - Register here.
- Thursday 19 November, 09:00-10:00 GMT: International trade sector - Register here.
- HMRC Transition webinars: HMRC 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. Find a date and to register, click here.
- IPO webinar, 2pm Tuesday 17th November: This webinar will cover changes to registration of EU Trade Marks and Designs, how parallel trade with the EU will change after 1 Jan 2021, changes to copyright licencing and operational changes to office processes for the registration of trade marks, designs and patents after the end of the transition period. Register here.
- Webinars for exporters of animals and products of animal origin to the EU. Find out more about the webinars hosted live and on demand by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs here.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
