Brexit Information
15 September 2021
Helping businesses to prepare for full Customs Control in January 2022
HM Revenue and Customs is encouraging UK businesses to prepare for customs changes which will be introduced over the coming 6 months.
Click here for more.
1 September 2021
Brexit helplines for business
Browse this directory of helplines offering support and advice to businesses experiencing issues operating after Brexit.
8 September 2021
Guidance and support for your business
Take a look at Scottish Enterprise's Operate after Brexit guidance for information on the changing requirements for dealing with the EU and the processes you need to have in place to continue your relationship with member states.
Click here for more.
30 August 2021
EU citizens staying in Scotland - advice for employers and landlords
Guidance and a toolkit for EU citizens who wish to stay in Scotland, as well as specific advice for their employers and landlords on their legal obligations and EU citizens’ rights (updated 24 August 2021).
Click here to find out more.
25 August 2021
Businesses given more time to apply new product safety marking
Government confirms businesses will have an extra year to start using the new product safety marking - the UKCA marking (updated 24 August 2021).
Click here to learn more.
18 August 2021
Trade with Northern Ireland
Since the Northern Ireland Protocol came into effect on 1 January 2021, there have been changes to the way goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Click here for more details.
22 July 2021
Technical Webinars: for Organisations that Trade with the EU
The Cabinet Office has set up bespoke webinars that address issues that have arisen across the different trading routes as the new rules have come into force.
For more details see here
15 July 2021
Webinar: Manufactured Goods Regulations – 20 July 2021
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Goods Regulation team are hosting this webinar on the UKCA mark: the new domestic regime. The webinar will cover the existing transitional measures and key concepts such as how to place manufactured goods on the UK market, covering both the Great British and Northern Ireland markets.
To register to attend see here
8 July 2021
Guidance for Business
The Scottish Government have issued guidance on importing and exporting, travelling to the EU, providing services to the EU, transport goods to the EU and exchanging data with EU businesses.
For more information check here
30th June 2021
Trade and customs: 2021-22 timeline
It's vital for businesses to ensure they are up to date with changing rules and regulations surrounding their business operations. Key dates for companies to note in 2021 and 2022 are listed in this timeline.
Click here to find out more.
Export support organisations
Need support with exporting regulations and logistics? In addition to Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies, other public and private sector organisations can help. Save time and resource with this handy guide. Browse by topic and type of support.
Click here to learn more.
17 June 2021
Free Business Support Webinars
Sign up through Business Gateway for free Webinars on topics that include HR essentials, Health and Wellbeing strategies, Remote and Flexible working.
For more details and to sign up see here
10 June 21021
Apply for a Grant to Help SME new to Importing or Exporting
Gov.UK could give you a SME Brexit Support Fund up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice if your company has up to 500 employees. The deadline is the end of June.
See here for more information
03 June 2021
List of Customs Training Providers
Find online and face to face training courses from the HM Revenue & Customs UK which will help you submit customs declarations.
For more details see here
20 May 2021
New Laws to Ensure the UK has the skills needed
Professional Qualifications Bill introduced to the UK Parliament is ensuring skilled professionals from around the world will have their qualifications recognised in the UK and are able to work, trade and do business.
For more information click here
06 May 2021
Trade and Customs Timeline
Key dates from Scottish Enterprise have been updated to help you stay on-top of the ongoing Brexit trade developments, with March and April updates still available in case you missed anything.
To check the updates see here
29 April 2021
Trade and Customs: 2021-2022 Timeline
Key dates for companies to note in 2021 and 2022 have been noted by Business Gateway, surrounding business operations.
To see the relevant dates check here
Applying for a grant to Help Small to Medium-sized Businesses new to Importing or Exporting
The SME Brexit Support Fund set up by Gov.UK could give you up to £2,000 professional advice or training guidance, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than a £10,000 million annual turnover.
For more details see here
19 April 2021
As businesses adapt to a new trading environment with the EU, the time has come to retire the Prepare for Brexit website.
The content has been moved to the new Scottish Enterprise website and the Prepare for Brexit site will be retired later this year. The content covers a number of key topics: Northern Ireland Protocol, VAT, rules of origin, sector-specific information, as well as import/export advice.
See here for the new Scottish Enterprise website.
8 April 2021
Export and Finance Risk
Guidance on payment information on export and finance risk by Scottish Enterprise to help you understand the risks involved.
For more details see here
UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance is a Government based service available for UK companies of all sizes and can assist with some of the impact of Brexit with advice on export finance and insurance.
For more information click here
Trade with Northern Ireland
The grace period for trade with Northern Ireland has been extended to 1 October 2021 by the UK Government. Scottish Enterprise have published an explainer document for guidance.
Find out more here
1 April 2021
Financial Support
Support is available from Scottish Enterprise to help you adapt to the risks and costs that leaving the EU has brought to business that have incurred additional business expenses.
See here for more information
Skills, People, and the Workforce
Guidance for employers on the new systems in place for recruiting staff from outside the UK has been updated by Scottish Enterprise.
Check here for more details
Helplines for Business
A directory of helplines offering support and advice for businesses who have issues operating after Brexit has been set up by Scottish Enterprise.
See here for more information
25 March 2021
Trade and Customs: 2021 – 22 Timelines
To ensure you are up to date with the changing rules and regulations with your business operations, Scottish enterprise have updated the key dates.
See here for more details
19 March 2021
Trade with Northern Ireland
Scottish Enterprise has updated the rules for new trading with Northern Ireland and the actions needed.
For more details see here
15 March 2021
SME Brexit Support Fund
HM Revenues and Customs have set out guidance for SME Brexit Support Fund that could give you up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice if you employ up to 500 employees and have no more than a £100 million annual turnover.
See here for more details
12 March 2021
Export and Customs Documentation
Check to see if your business is up to date with the new guidance following the UK’s trade deal with the UK from Prepare for Brexit. See here for more details
VAT after Brexit
Prepare for Brexit have issued guidelines for understanding VAT after Brexit for the UK and Northern Ireland trade.
Check here for more information
10 March 2021
Brexit Checklist
Prepare or Brexit have updated the latest guidance, including insurance for working, earnings, and qualifications for working in the EU.
08 March 2021
Conformity Assessment Process and Labelling
Product marketing and labelling regulations have changed, and Prepare for Brexit have set out the requirements for businesses. For example, goods placed on the GB market will need to hold a new UK conformity Assessment (UKCA) and goods on the Northern Ireland market will require both UKNI and CE marketing.
Check here for more information.
Business Events and Webinars
View the upcoming webinars for April, May, and June, from Prepare for Brexit, including the new immigration systems and recruitment from Europe
For details on how to sign up see here
1 March 2021
Webinars for Business advice on Brexit
Prepare for Brexit have set more dates for business webinars with advice on Brexit. These are updated regularly.
Click here to see details
22 February 2021
Online Brexit Transition Event with a Focus on Northern Ireland
A free online event from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport will be held on 10 March 2021. This will include speakers from the NI Government, UK suppliers, Ferry Services and Manufactures.
To register click here
19 February 2021
New Webinar on Trading with the EU
The Department for International Trade, OCS Worldwide and Simply VA.com have set up a webinar on what UK sellers trading with customers in the EU need to know about VAT and customs
See here to register
Helplines for Trading after Brexit
A list of helplines has been set up by Prepare for Brexit to provide support with a variety of information, including an A-Z guide
Click here for more information
17 February 2021
Understanding VAT after Brexit
Prepare for Brexit have updated the VAT information page for Northern Ireland, EU, and the rest of the world. Giving situational examples on different processes.
Click here for more details.
Common mistakes in Transit Declarations Explained
How to avoid some of the most common mistakes in Transit declaration have been explained by Prepare for Brexit.
To read more see here
15 February 2021
Trade and Customs After Brexit – Key Dates for 2021
Prepare for Brexit have detailed the key dates for companies for 2021, ensuring that business can keep up to date with the changing rules and regulations surrounding business operations.
For more details click here
Legal compliance
To make sure your business is legally compliant check the Prepare for Brexit website for more details and support.
Find out more here
12 February 2021
SME Brexit Support
A new £20 million SME Brexit support Fund has been announced by HM Revenues & Customs for businesses with up to 500 employees.
For more information and application date click here
05 February 2021
Northern Ireland Protocol
Prepare for Brexit have updated their website on the way you can move goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, including information on customs handling and exporting freight.
To catch up on the new updated click here
04 February 2021
Interruption of supply chain
Prepare for Brexit have given guidelines on key actions to take and how to adapt, as well as what actions to take if your supply chain has been disrupted.
For more information see here
Brexit check list
Assistance has been provided by Prepare for Brexit which aims to assist with the understanding of the changes affecting Scottish Businesses.
To read more see here
28 January 2021
Brexit and VAT
Prepare for Brexit Scotland, have update the examples, understanding VAT and special procedures relating to Vat.
See here for more information
28 January 2021
Rules of Origin: Check your goods comply to trade tariff-free with the EU
The UK Government have created an on demand video service which focuses on priority topics for businesses. One important topic which features in the Rules of Origin. Rules of Origin concerns where a product was manufactured and determines the ‘economic nationality’ of a good for international trade. Businesses need to know about them because the Trade and Cooperation Agreement means they can trade with the EU without paying tariffs – but only if their product meets the relevant Rules of Origin.
To export tariff-free into the EU traders must check their goods meet the Rules of Origin requirements set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and have the right documentation.
To confirm the requirements for your goods and to find out more about the support available, the UK Government encourages you to:
Check for details on how to claim preferential (zero) tariffs, and see the documentation you’ll need to complete.
Read the full guidance on meeting Rules of Origin when trading with the EU.
Check the TCA legal text to see which rules apply to your goods (Chapter 2 as well as Annexes ORIG-1 to ORIG-4 will be most useful).
New Video from HMRC on Trading Processes
HMRC gas issued a new list of videos outlining the new trading processes and requirements that have been introduced from 1 January 2021
Click here to watch
Logistics and Transport – things to consider
Prepare for Brexit have updated their advice on how to prepare for ensuring your goods get to market, including transport routes, supply chain and documentation.
See here for updates
26 January 2021
Construction Law Update
Hawkswell Kilvington have published a useful article on ‘The Brexit Trade Deal and its Impact on the Construction Industry’. The article looks at:
- Movement of goods
- Standards of materials
- Labour and services
- Public procurement
- Data protection
Read it here
25 January 2021
Updates to the Frequently asked Questions on EU Transition
Prepare for Brexit have updated the most asked questions by Scottish Businesses, to ensure your business is ready for the changes.
Click here to see updates
22 January 2021
EU Settlement Scheme
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can now apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. This also applies if you the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland. Government UK have opened the application scheme and details can be found here
UK-EU Free Trade Agreement – 10 key things to know
The Institute of Export & International trade have issued a summary of some of the key details from the UK-EU trade Deal.
To see the 10 key things to know click here
19 January 2021
New Rules for businesses now the Brexit transition period is over
Business Secretary, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have launched a series of new video’s to help businesses understand the new rules on a variety of topics including importing, exporting, accounting and trade. Register now to access the video content.
The checker tool on gov.uk/transition is available to give you a personalised list of actions that you need to take now, or for any other questions contact the business support helplines. There is also guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland.
15 January 2021
Support for Export and Customs
Prepare for Brexit have updated their guidance on the latest rules for those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
See here for the updates
Brexit helpline for Businesses
For general enquiries for Brexit queries click here
NI business have issued guidelines for understanding your tax return, self-assessment, and business records
To access the videos and tools and see the deadlines click here
Sending parcels from Northern Ireland to Great Britain from 1 January 2021
To find out what you need to do as a business to move parcels from Northern Ireland and Great Britain, NI Business have given guidelines and advice.
See here for more information
14 January 2021
Tariffs on imported goods
The UK Global Tariff covers all goods imported into the UK, this applies unless you are importing from a country who has a trade agreement with the UK, an exemption applies, or the goods are covered by the Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
Check here to see exemptions
8 January 2021
Brexit impact on the business sector
New guidance has been issued for those working in the construction sector.
See for update information here
Applying for authorisation for the UK Trader Scheme bringing goods into NI
From 1 January 2021 Gov.UK have issued new Brexit instructions on how to become authorised for liability when transporting goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Guidelines on Custom duty, when to apply, who can apply and what you will need to be compliance can be found here
Support for export and customs documentation
With the expiration of the seven days grace for hauliers, it is even more critical that all documentation is in place to avoid disruption. Prepare for Brexit has issued more guidelines to keep you up to date.
See here
6 January 2021
UK–EU Free trade agreement
The institute of Exports has issued a 10-key guide to the UK-EU free trade agreement, this includes advice on continuity for hauliers, new customs advice, and services.
For more information check here
Brexit Checklist
Prepare for Brexit has issued guidelines on the EU transition period which finished on 1 January 2021 and the new rules for businesses came into place. Action needs to be taken to ensure you and your company are compliant with the new rules. These impact on labour, tax, laws, regulations, supply chains and competition.
Guidelines can be found here
4 December 2020
Public sector procurement
The way that the UK public sector advertise supply opportunities will change on 31 December 2020. Information on public sector contract opportunities will be published on the new Find a Tender Service.
3 December 2020
Driving Abroad and Motor Insurance following Brexit
In the scenario where travel is not included in any trade agreement, after 31 December 2020, UK motorists driving all classes of vehicles, both privately owned and those within a company's fleet, will need to carry a Green Card as proof of third-party motor insurance cover.
2 December 2020
How will Brexit affect your supply chain?
The Scottish Government has published guidance on preparing your supply chain for Brexit.
Hauliers handbook
Actions should be taken now to reduce transport logistics risk.
27 November 2020
Products
During the pandemic there has been some issues with the availability of products to meet demand. This has been due to manufacturers requiring to cease operations during the pandemic and more recently delays at ports. In the main, Members have managed to source plumbing and heating supplies without too much difficulty. However, we do not yet know the implications of Brexit on tariffs and exchange rates and COVID may continue to have implications for the supply chain for some time.
SNIPEF has met with John Newcomb, Chair of the Product Availability Group (PAG) which was set up earlier this year to work with merchants, manufacturers and housebuilders to identify where there were already or anticipated to be supply shortages and to attempt to resolve them.
There are currently 3 categories of product: electrical appliances, timber and roofing materials where issues with supply have been identified. At this point in time there appears to be no availability issues on core plumbing and heating problems with the exception of some imported sanitaryware.
PAG is recommending that those working in the sector and construction as a whole should forward plan and secure stock with merchants.
SNIPEF will maintain regular dialogue with PAG and we are asking that where Members do experience issues in obtaining products or where there are significant price increased, that they contact ceo@snipef.org.
25 November 2020
Data, IP and legal contracts
Do you know what actions your business needs to take from 1 January to ensure legal compliance around data protection and intellectual property? See Point 9 in the Brexit Checklist for what you need to do to comply.
13 November 2020
Replacement for European Structural Funds
Plans for a Scottish replacement for European Structural Funds after EU exit have been published.
Free Brexit webinars
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is hosting free webinars to help you check the new rules and understand the actions to take.
Trader support service/Trade with Northern Ireland
There will be changes to the way goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Protocol comes into effect on 1 January 2021.
To help with this, you can sign up for the free Trader Support Service. This service will guide you through changes to the way goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and how you bring goods into Northern Ireland from outside the UK. The service can also complete declarations on your behalf.
When the Northern Ireland Protocol comes into effect on 1 January 2021, the Customs Declaration Service will be used for declarations on the movements of goods to or from Northern Ireland, including goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
UK Transition: Stakeholder toolkit for business communications
The UK Government has prepared a UK Transition Toolkit which groups key messages and downloadable assets by business sector (and includes general business messaging). This is intended to support business advisors when engaging with businesses around readiness activities.
27 October 2020
Brexit Readiness List
With Brexit looming, the UK Government has created a Brexit Readiness List to equip you with any upcoming changes which may affect your business, family and personal circumstances. All you have to do is answer a few questions to get a personalised list of actions.
Click here for your personalised list.
The Construction Leadership Council also has a useful dedicated news page for Brexit updates. View it here.
