Please see the most recent Brexit bulletin below.
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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Urgent message from the Business Secretary. Time is running out – it’s time to take action now
Last week I wrote urging businesses to act now to prepare for our new relationship with the EU. I want to thank the thousands of businesses which took action. However, we know that many are not yet ready for the new rules which start on 1 January and I again request them to act.
In just 71 days there will be guaranteed changes to doing business and there are many actions you can take now to prepare. Find out what you need to do by visiting gov.uk/transition and using the checker tool.
Regardless of whether we reach a trade agreement with the EU, from 1 January there will definitely be changes to:
This week the government is launching a major public information campaign to help firms prepare and keep business moving. It has one simple message: Time is running out, so you need to act now.
Support is available, including sector-specific webinars to walk you through the changes. If you missed our webinars for the Services and Investment, Retail, Automotive, Materials and Metals, Electronics Machinery and Consumer Goods sectors, they are available to watch on demand now.
As Business Secretary I encourage you to:
Unless you take action, there is a risk your business operations will be interrupted. You should also check with your suppliers and customers that they are taking action.
I know these are challenging times, but the transition period is ending on 1 January and there will be no extension. It is vital your business prepares for our new relationship with the EU, outside of the single market and customs union. The Government will be there to support and help you to take advantage of the many new opportunities that being an independent trading nation will bring.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
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:
Government launches plans to keep trade flowing after 1 January 2021: The government has announced a series of measures to help keep trade flowing by minimising the risk of disruption at the end of the transition period.
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), for export of dual-use items to EU member states from 1 January 2021. A full listing of sectors covered, and how to register for the licence with the Export Control Joint Unit is contained in this Notice to Exporters.
HMRC has written to VAT-registered businesses highlighting actions they need to take to prepare for new processes for moving goods between Great Britain and the EU from 1 January 2021.
UK Transition: Stakeholder toolkit for business communications
We need your help reaching businesses across the UK, encouraging them to take relevant actions before new rules come into force in January 2021. A new stakeholder toolkit of key messages and downloadable assets is now available for use across your social channels, newsletters, blogs and websites to help encourage businesses to you work with to take action. Find the toolkit here.
New and Updated Guidance
People
Digital and Data
Food and drink
Chemicals
Intrastat declarations for exports: Information for traders on importing and exporting goods between Great Britain and the EU after 1 January 2021 has been updated to remove references to Intrastat declarations for exports. You do not have to submit Intrastat declarations for goods exported from Great Britain to the EU.
Export or move live animals and animal products to the EU from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the export process for live animals, products of animal origin and animal by-products from 1 January 2021.
Importing animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from 1 January 2021: You must get pre-authorisation from Defra for high-risk ABPs before any imports take place. More here.
List of customs agents and fast parcel operators: It can be complicated to submit import and export customs declarations, so businesses may want to use a company which specialises in this area. HMRC has updated its list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can help submit customs declarations.
NEW: Chemicals businesses, 11am Monday 2 November and then on demand. Register here.
NEW: Changes to Intellectual Property, 2pm Wednesday 28 October and then on demand. Register here.
Find out more and register for all transition webinars here.