Please see the most recent Transition Bulletin below.
Please also see a helpful visualisation of UK-EU movement of goods under the new Border Operating Model here New BOM transport flows_clean. This document does not constitute formal or official advice but should hopefully act as a useful prompt for your supply chain’s discussions regarding making relevant preparations for customs and import/export of goods.
CONTENTS
Urgent message from the Business Secretary: The way you hire from the EU is changing
The transition period is ending on 31 December and there will be no extension. The current rules for hiring workers from the EU will change. Time is running out and I urge you to act now to prepare for our new relationship with the EU.
You can find out what other actions you may need to take by visiting gov.uk/transition and using the checker tool.
From 1 January 2021, the UK will introduce a points-based immigration system that will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and transform the way in which employers recruit internationally.
The new points-based system will ensure we prioritise and invest in those people already in the UK, upskilling our current work force, whilst also attracting the best and brightest from around the world.
Regardless of the nature of our future trading relationship with the EU, from 1 January there will be guaranteed changes for businesses:
The new system will not apply to hiring Irish citizens, or EU citizens already living and working in the UK who are eligible under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Government will continue to provide the information and support you need to prepare for these changes. This includes sector-specific webinars to walk you through the actions you need to take. All previously recorded webinars are also available on demand now.
If you do not take action, there is a risk your business operations will be interrupted.
I know these are challenging times and I want to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you are doing to ensure a smooth end to the transition period. The Government will be there to help you to take advantage of the new opportunities that being an independent trading nation will bring.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
The UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement: benefits for the UK
The UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is the first major trade deal that the UK has struck as an independent trading nation. This British-shaped deal is tailored to the UK economy, and goes beyond the existing EU agreement. This deal could boost trade between the UK and Japan by over £15 billion and drive economic growth in the long run. A summary document has been published, giving an overview of the benefits for UK businesses, by sector. Guidance on the trade agreements the UK has already signed and our discussions with countries the EU has a trade agreement with can be found here.
Transition Webinars
NEW: Regulations on Manufactured Goods, 11am Thursday 5 November and then on demand: This webinar will cover changes to the UK regime for goods that currently use the CE marking, the new UKCA marking and what you will need to do to place certain goods on the GB, NI and EU markets from 1 January 2021. Register for free here
Ministry of Justice webinars for legal professionals. Find out more and register here.
Register for more transition business webinars here.
Air, sea, road and rail transport from January 2021: New guidance on working in and travelling to the EU from 1 January 2021 for transport operators, workers, visitors and passengers.
International road haulage permits: ECMT permits 2021: New guidance explains criteria for allocating ECMT permits and what hauliers need to do.
Export groups of products of animal origin to the EU from 1 January 2021: New guidance for exporters and suppliers exporting multiple products of animal origin from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to, or through, the EU. How to register for groupage exports facilitation scheme (GEFS), eligible products, and requirements for exporters and suppliers including inspections.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency: Guidance has been issued about how the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will process variations to marketing authorisations from 1 January 2021.
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage from 1 January 2021: Updated guidance is available with information about preparing to apply for ECMT permits for 2021 between 2 November and 20 November 2020.
Importing and exporting plants and plant products from 1 January 2021: Information about making advance notifications for all regulated consignments to the UK available here
Trading timber: imports and exports from 1 January 2021: New guidance is available on how to move timber from GB to Northern Ireland, and from Northern Ireland to GB, imports from Indonesia to GB and Northern Ireland, and how monitoring organisations' duties will change from 1 January 2021.
Complying with REACH chemical regulations when using, selling or importing chemicals in the EU: Updated guidance on grandfathering, tonnage deadlines and how UK downstream users can notify the HSE is available here.
List of customs agents and fast parcel operators: An updated list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can assist with submitting customs declarations is available here.
Food, Drink and Animals
Trading and labelling organic food from 1 January 2021: Updated guidance is available that includes information on importing organics from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021.
Fresh fruit and vegetable marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Updated information about importing and exporting fresh fruit and vegetables between the UK and EU and non-EU countries.
Importing and exporting wine from 1 January 2021: Updated information on labelling wine imported from EU and non-EU countries and updated details on importing and exporting wine between UK and EU and non-EU countries.
Updated marketing standards for Hatching eggs and chicks, Hops and hops products, egg marketing, poultry and beef and veal meat marketing.
