Brexit Readiness Update
We have all heard the radio adverts and seen messages along the motorway alerting us to the many changes and preparations required for a no deal Brexit on 31st October but are you aware of what you need to do in your business to be ready for business come 1st November 2019.
The BPMA are receiving an increasing amount of enquiries relating to Brexit and have prepared some essential information and signposting for you
EORI Number Update
Last week the Chancellor announced that as many traders as possible will be automatically allocated an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number to enable them to trade smoothly once the UK leaves the EU on 31st October. Every business will need an EORI number to move goods into or out of the EU after Brexit. HMRC is sending letters to all possible VAT-registered businesses over the next two weeks to advise them of their assigned EORI number. If your business is not VAT-registered, you still need to register for an EORI number. Getting an EORI number is an easy process that takes 5-10 minutes. Getting an EORI number is only the first step that businesses need to action urgently to be prepared for leaving the EU. After getting an EORI number, businesses need to decide how to make customs declarations. Traders can complete these themselves or employ a customs agent to do this. Please see more attached in Our EORI Mythbuster.
Free to attend – Brexit Business Readiness Events
HM Government are hosting a series of free Get Ready for Brexit Business Events that will run across the country from 16th September to 18th October 2019 that the BPMA would like to encourage the industry to attend in order to prepare for Brexit.
The events are free to attend and will give businesses help, advice and support on the actions they need to take to prepare for Brexit. They will combine a keynote address, interactive support, advice stands and in-depth sessions led by subject matter experts. They will provide you with specific business-focused advice and help.
Grants for Training & IT improvements
HM Revenue and Customs have reopened applications for businesses to apply for training and IT improvement grants to help them prepare for the UK leaving the EU. Click here for more information and eligibility criteria – Apply for grants if your business completes customs declarations
You can apply to get funding for:
- training that helps your business to complete customs declarations and processes
- IT improvements to help your business complete customs declarations more efficiently
You can also use the funding to reimburse what your business has spent on relevant IT improvements and training since 31st July 2019, as well as in the future.
Importing and Exporting
In a no-deal Brexit, businesses will need to apply the same procedures to EU trade that apply to trading with the rest of the world. HMRC has introduced transitional simplified procedures to help businesses import goods from the EU (excluding Ireland and Northern Ireland). HM Revenue & Customs have provided details on how BPMA members can find out if they can register to use simplified transitional procedures for goods you are bringing into the UK from the EU. Register for simplified import procedures in a no-deal Brexit
Data Protection
If your company receives personal data from partners or suppliers in EU or EEA countries you must act now to ensure you can still do so legally after Brexit. Personal data is any information that can be used to identify someone, this could include a customer’s name, physical or IP addresses, or HR data such as staff working hours and payroll details. To continue receiving personal data legally after Brexit, review your supplier contracts and read this guidance: www.gov.uk/guidance/using-personal-data-after-brexit
Ecommerce Directive
If your company provides online services within the European Economic Area (EEA), you may have to newly comply with rules governing online activities within these countries if there is a no deal Brexit. For more information please read gov.uk’s no deal guidance on the eCommerce Directive. If you hold a .eu domain name, or are considering registering for one, read the gov.uk’s no deal guidance on .eu domain names for information about the eligibility criteria and what to do in a no deal Brexit.
Triage Tool
Many members have used the Government Triage tool and have found it useful… have you used it yet??
Gov.uk has an online triage tool to help businesses prepare for the UK leaving the EU. You can use the Triage Tool to find out:
- What your business may need to do to prepare for the UK leaving the EU
- What is changing in our sector
- Information on specific rules and regulations
You will need to answer 7 simple questions to get guidance relevant to your business.
We will be updating you by email and though the Product Media e-newsletters with further insights and signposting relating to Brexit.
