Brexit for business
Useful links for businesses about leaving the EU
The main transition website is GOV.UK/transition. You must take action now.
Government is urging businesses to take those actions that are essential whether there is an agreement or not at the end of 2020, such as engaging a customs agent and reaching out to the European trading partners to check on their readiness. A checking tool is available on the .gov.uk website to help you work out what you need to do for your individual circumstances.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has written to specific business sectors with tailored advice for key actions to take.
There is a forum service to support business and industry on the government website.
The Border Control Post (BCP) will be at Sevington in the borough of Ashford and thus under their responsibility. There are 45 information points across the country to help disseminate advice to hauliers, the Kent site is at Ashford International Truck Stop.
There are new grants for traders who are new to Customs, importing or exporting and who plan to hire an intermediary for their customs declarations. You can apply for up to £1,000 to train staff so they know what information to give to customs intermediaries. Grants for IT, training and / or recruitment are also still available for companies intending to do their own customs declarations. For more details, click on this link
The Kent County Council advice to businesses can be found online.
The Infobrexit Entreprises site, launched in partnership with the regional chamber of commerce, contains basic information on importing / exporting; customs formalities; tax; HR; and data. Businesses can also submit questions which will be dispatched to government services or business support organisations for a response.
Online events
- Kent County Council Trading Standards and its partners have launched a series of events on the new legal requirements in force from 1 January 2021. Trading Standards warn that goods refused entry to the EU will leave businesses liable for costs of examination, storage and re-working. They may also face breaches of contract in cases of non-delivery. The webinars cover getting your goods ready for export (9 December) and a last-chance question and answer event on 23 December. Events that have taken place for the food and drink sector and product safety can be watched again online.
- 2 December – Kent and Medway Growth Hub held the EU Transition Conference. Here is the link to the presentations and recordings.
- The BEIS has an online event to cover every sector you can think of. Free Check, Change and Go webinars are here for your business on demand.
- Recordings of DEFRA’s seminars on exporting products of animal origin, on exporting fish and fishery products, and on export health certificates, equines, live animals, and composite goods are available on YouTube.
- Make UK and Ceridian: Why the new travel rules and immigration system matter to manufacturers.
- CBI – Preparing for the end of transition – spotlight on services.
- Eurotunnel freight webinars - available in different languages.