Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

You are hereHome / Trading with the EU after Brexit

The post-Brexit trade deal that came into effect on 1 January 2021 means that there are no tariffs or duties to pay when trading with the EU.

However, there are several new steps that businesses must take to continue trading with the EU or to begin trading with the EU now that the Brexit transition period has ended.

The UK’s new relationship with the EU will have a profound impact on businesses, especially those that trade with the EU or employ EU citizens.

With uncertainty having surrounded the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU until just days before the trade deal come into effect, many businesses will not have had time to understand its full implications.

Our team of Brexit specialists are helping businesses like yours to get up to speed with the demands of the UK’s new relationship with the EU.

We will help you defend your business against the additional challenges that may be involved with trade, whilst also helping you take advantage of the opportunities that arise.

The impact on your business will differ depending on whether you are an importer or exporter, or whether your supply chain and customers are based in the UK, EU or worldwide.

To help you get up to speed with the requirements of post-Brexit trade with the EU, we have prepared this useful information hub to help you prepare for whatever the future may bring.

Download our latest guides

 

While the post-Brexit trade deal means that there are no tariffs, duties or quotas on imports from or exports to the EU, there are still a number of steps that businesses involved in importing and exporting goods either need to take, set out by the Government in its Importing and Exporting Goods guidance document:

  • Understand the requirements of EU Member States. The necessary processes must have been done and documentation completed to comply with these requirements. Further information is provided in Annex A and B.
  • GB EORI – Traders will need a GB EORI number to move goods to or from the UK. Check your EORI number. Apply for a new one if yours does not start with GB.
  • EU EORI – If undertaking any EU customs processes, traders will need an EU EORI.
  • If you are an importer, check which goods are on the controlled goods list – If your good is on the controlled goods list, you will need to complete full customs declarations from January. If you are importing non-controlled goods, decide whether to delay the customs declaration for up to six months or complete full customs declarations on import.
  • Decide how to complete customs formalities: Most traders are expected to use a customs intermediary. These are experts who can make declarations on your behalf.
  • Duty Deferment Account (DDA) – A DDA allows holders to delay customs duty, excise duty and import duty, to be paid once a month rather than on individual consignments.
  • Check to see if a facilitation would benefit the business- there are a number of facilitations, including the Common Transit Convention, to help import and export goods.
  • If you are importing live animals or high-priority plants and plant products, traders need to be prepared for submitting additional documentation and checks taking place at point of destination.
  • If you are an exporter, submit customs export declarations, or separate Safety and Security exit declarations if this is required.
  • If you are a haulier, use the “Check an HGV is ready” service.
  • Demonstrate the origin of goods to benefit from the zero-tariff rates contained in the trade deal.
  • Make arrangements to pay import VAT.

To help with this process the Government has produced a step by step checklist for importers and exporters, which can be found below:

UK nationals will need a visa if they want to stay in the EU for more than 90 days in a 180-day period.

Your European Health Insurance Card remains valid until its expiry date and the plan outlined in the agreement is to replace these with a UK Global Health Insurance Card. There is more information to come on overseas health insurance in the coming months.  

You do not need an International Driver’s Permit to drive in the EU as a UK citizen.

UK professional qualifications won’t be recognised automatically in the EU, which will make it more difficult to work in the EU, especially for those in the service sector.   

It appears that UK citizens will need to apply to the individual country in which they wish to work to get any professional qualifications accepted. This may change as the agreement suggests a framework of mutual qualification recognition in the future. There are measures which commit both the UK and the EU to maintain common standards on worker’s rights, as well as many social and environmental regulations. The UK does not have to follow EU law, but they do have to be seen to protect the rules of “fair competition”.

Employees from EU member states should check whether they need to apply to the settlement scheme. To do this, they should:

  • Find out what status they have as it may differ depending on their circumstances
  • Check what information they’ll need to apply
  • Submit an application.

Some EU citizens may be able to stay in the UK without applying – for example, Irish citizens or those with indefinite leave to remain.

The deadline for applying for settled status is 30 June 2021.

It is important that you check that key workers who are EU citizens have the right to remain in the UK post-Brexit to ensure you able to retain their talent for the future.

Here to help

While the post-Brexit trade deal means that there are generally speaking no tariffs to pay when moving goods between the UK and EU, and vice versa, a number of challenges remain for many businesses.

We are helping a wide range of businesses adapt to the changes that came into effect on 1 January 2021, helping them minimise disruption and seek out new opportunities for growth and success around the world.

To find out more about the impact of the post-Brexit arrangements on your business and how we can help, please email us at brexittaskforce@wilsonwright.co.uk.

  • Jamie Grossman – Partner
  • +44 (0)20 7832 0444
Read bio

  • Magda Guzy – Business Services Director
  • +44 (0)20 7832 0444
Read bio

Latest Brexit News

HMRC Target Offshore Corporates with UK Property Interests
4th November 2022
VAT accounting schemes
4th November 2022
The Effect of Interest Rates on Landlords
4th November 2022
Draft Legislation Confirms Significant Reform to the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief from April 2023
4th November 2022
Statement on Her Majesty The Queen
9th September 2022
Breaking up is easier to do
17th August 2022
In April 2022, the much awaited ‘no-fault divorce’ was introduced by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. The new law allows a divorce with no blame being placed on either party and may be expected to increase the number of divorces. There will be a change in the taxation
How to get EIS/SEIS right the first time
10th August 2022
Emma Brown and Richard Wernick look at some of the key issues linked to a successful EIS/SEIS advanced assurance application.
Wilson Wright bolsters its private client tax offering as it acquires C. Hoare & Co.’s tax compliance and advisory business
9th August 2022
The War in Ukraine and returning UK former expatriates
28th July 2022
The current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and recommends UK citizens not to remain in these countries. In accordance with current HMRC advice, individuals returning to the UK from these territories should qualify for any days spent in the UK,
Off-payroll working rules (IR35) – a view from the bridge one year on
4th July 2022
From 6 April 2021 the scope of the off-payroll working rules (IR35) were expanded to encompass medium and large organisations in the private sector, employment agencies and third parties within the labour supply chain.