UK Transition Changes

The way that opportunities to supply the UK public sector are advertised is about to change. From 23:00 on 31 December 2020, information on public sector contract opportunities in the UK will be published on the new Find a Tender Service (FTS).

Existing Contracts Finder account holders will be able to use the same login credentials for Find a Tender. You can register now in preparation for its launch on 31 December.

Agreements with the following countries and trading blocs are expected to take effect when existing EU trade agreements no longer apply to the UK, from 1 January 2021.

New to exporting, wishing to enhance your international trade knowledge? If so funding is now open to all businesses wishing to develop knowledge of international trade and customs declarations. You can apply for the training grants for the courses by registering via the gov.uk website Click here

Your local chamber of commerce can also assist, please see below:
Devon and Plymouth Chamber or email international-trade@devonchamber.co.uk
Somerset Chamber or email export@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Prepare to import goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021
The process for importing goods from the EU has changed. Businesses in Great Britain need to complete the following actions (click here) to continue importing from EU countries.

Customs
Check the terms of your existing contracts with your customers and suppliers and plan how your business will deal with customs declarations, if necessary appoint a customs broker/intermediary to make customs declarations on your behalf for a list of customs agents and fast parcel operators click here you will also need to check if customs guarantees and simplified procedures will be helpful for your business and complete the application processes.

For more details on the exporting lifecycle please go to our step by step exporting toolkit here. You will also need to identify the staff that can be trained on customs and apply for HMRC grant funding.

Trader Support Service (TSS)
The Trader Support Service is live. Register now if you are a business who moves goods into Northern Ireland. The TSS will help you prepare for new processes from 1 January 2021, free of charge. Register here

For an extensive breakdown of the transport and travel guidelines for after the 1 January 2021, read the information online.

If you’re a haulier and move goods through a port in the UK that uses the Goods Vehicle Movement Service you’ll need to register for the service to get your goods through customs

From 1 January 2021, there will be changes to how you import and declare excise goods (alcohol, tobacco and certain oils). More information is available online here.

Please ensure your wooden packaging complies with the importing/exporting regulations as stated online here.

The Better Business for All (BBfA) Export Toolkit provides guidance on exporting animals and animal products to the EU – UK Transition Export Animals Guide

Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) is the domestic system for the import of live animals, animal products and high risk food and feed not of animal origin into Great Britain. Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) guide

Here is a link to guidance for employers on how to carry out right to work checks, why you need to do them, and which documents you can use. See Right to work checks: an employer’s guide

The Home Office has produced a Right to Work factsheet for employers to use.

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen resident in the UK at 31 December 2020, you and your family members need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK beyond 30 June 2021. Please click here for more information.

For local help with EU Settlement Scheme:

Diversity Voice offers information and practical help to individuals and employers.

If you or your business need to raise awareness about the EU Settlement Scheme, a selection of posters are available to download.

This toolkit will equip you with the right materials and information to support EU citizens to apply to stay in the UK. Please click here for more information.

Locations where you can go to get your biometric ID document scanned are online. Details are online.

The UK is introducing a points-based immigration system from 2021 please click here for more details.

Find out what EU citizens need to do if they are working in the UK from 1 January 2021. EU business: working in the UK for more details.

Download a copy of our UK Transition Farming Policy guide here. The guide outlines new and existing farming policies for England.

What you need to do as a fisheries business from 1 January 2021, information now available online.

More details on exporting of fish to the EU are available online.

How to prove your fish has been caught legally for imports and exports of fish, information is now available online.

MMO short guide on changes, information is now available online.

See here for details on the Seafood Response Fund and the increased support for fishing and shellfish businesses.

How to export wild caught marine fishery products to the EU from 01 January 2021. Details are available online.

How importers and exporters of live fish, molluscs and crustaceans for farming, ornamental, or any other purpose except direct human consumption, should prepare for changes from 1 January 2021.

Importing and exporting live fish and shellfish from 1 January 2021

The Better Business for All (BBfA) Food Labelling guide gives food producers an insight into the important changes that surround food labelling – UK Transition Food Labelling Guide

How manufacturers and importers of fertilisers should prepare for changes from 1 January 2021. Manufacturing and marketing fertilisers from 1 January 2021

• Hops and hops products marketing standards from 1 January 2021
• Beef and veal marketing standards from 1 January 2021
• Hatching eggs and chicks marketing standards from 1 January 2021
• Egg marketing standards from 1 January 2021
• Poultry meat marketing standards from 1 January 2021
• Fresh fruit and vegetable marketing standards from 1 January 2021

The NFU has produced a series of webinars to provide insights for traders of plants/plant products between GB and the EU/NI. Watch online here

Tell HMRC if you sell goods in Northern Ireland or move goods between Northern Ireland and the EU from 1 January 2021. Guidance is available online here.

If you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Trader Support Service will guide you through any changes due to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Free support, including a dedicated helpline, is available for traders and businesses moving animals, plants and associated products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. MAS also means that traders will not need to pay health certification costs, which will be met by the UK Government.Detail here.

You will need an EU EORI number if your business will be making customs declarations or getting a customs decision in the EU. Get this from the customs authority in the EU country where you submit your first declaration or request your first decision.it only take ten minutes if you have:

• VAT number and effective date of registration – these are on your VAT registration certificate
• National Insurance number – if you’re an individual or a sole trader
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) – find your UTR if you do not know it
• Business start date and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code – these are in the Companies House register
• Government Gateway user ID and password

To find the latest tariff schedule please click here

HMRC have issued a letter to VAT registered businesses regarding trade with the EU from 1 January 2021. Read it here

The Better Business for All (BBfA) UKCA mark guide provides guidelines on using the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark – UK Transition UKCA Labelling Guide

At the end of the transition period, the eCommerce Directive will no longer apply to the UK. You should begin to prepare for these changes now. Please click here for guidance.

The Better Business for All (BBfA) Food Labelling guide gives food producers an insight into the important changes that surround food labelling – UK Transition Food Labelling Guide

To find our what action you need to take regarding data protection and data flows with the EU/EEA after the end of the transition period please click here.

For more information on these changes, please click here.

The rules governing address for service for intellectual property rights in the UK are changing.

Guidance for businesses and organisations holding EU trade marks at the end of the transition period is available online.

On 1 January 2021 there will be changes to UK intellectual property law to ensure the smooth departure from EU IP systems.