EU Transition Update 7 December 2020 by Camilla Call, International Trade Advisor
The UK-EU negotiations are down to the final wire and frustratingly we continue to hear of significant differences remaining between the two sides outlined in a joint statement by Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen. Whilst awaiting the outcome, there are plenty of updates to guidance and a number of new webinars to help with preparing for the end of the transition period.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has confirmed that the existing 10-digit commodity code system will continue to apply from 1 January onwards, when the UK has left the Single Market and EU Customs Code. From this date, a new tariff will apply to imported goods when the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) replaces the EU’s Common External Tariff (CET).
The UK government’s commodity look-up tool on gov.uk has also been updated, with more information about commodity codes post-31 December here.
The UK Internal Market Bill is being discussed in the House of Commons on Monday 7 December where they’ll seek to reject some, or all, of the 61 amendments made by the House of Lords, where it will return to on Wednesday. The ping-pong will continue until both sides approve the bill which could come from one side compromising.
Sky News reported on 7 December that MPs have indeed voted to reinstate those parts of the Internal Market Bill.
The House of Lords are holding the first day debate on report stage of the Trade Bill, which must receive Royal Assent by the end of the year. This Bill will provide the legal framework for the UK’s post-Brexit trade policy.
Agri-tech companies based in the South West are invited to an event on 15 December where you’ll be able to showcase your products and services whilst assessing potential in new markets. Over 300 meetings will be held over the course of the day and you’ll be able to request bookings with an Officer at a time that suits you. Find out more and register here.
There is an exclusive opportunity for Marine-Tech businesses in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. The Department for International Trade (DIT) in the South West, Business West and AR specialists Render Media are launching the first-of-its-kind immersive augmented reality (AR) platform for cross-border sales within the Marine sector.
The ExportAR: Marine initiative will be delivered cost-free to three successful applicants, and will allow companies to showcase their Marine-Tech product in real-time to an international audience using a bespoke smartphone or tablet application. UK sellers will be able to present their product and communicate in real-time to international buyers in target markets using AR.
Applications close at 23:59 on 16 December 2020 – APPLY HERE
New and Updated Guidance
Country specific guidance on providing services and travelling for businesses from 1 January 2021 has been updated for the following countries:
| Hungary | Iceland | Italy | Latvia | Lichtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Switzerland (an overview of the UK-Switzerland Services Mobility Agreement can be viewed here) | Belgium |
| Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Estonia |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Slovakia |
| Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | The Netherlands | Germany |
| Greece | Finland | France | Austria | Denmark |
New – EU businesses: taxes and tariffs: Guidance has been issued covering what taxes and tariffs EU businesses might need to pay when trading with the UK from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
New – EU businesses exporting to the UK: Guidance has been issued for EU businesses to find out what they need to do to export to the UK from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
New – EU businesses importing from the UK: Guidance has been issued for EU businesses to inform them of what they need to do to import from the UK from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
Updated – The Trader Support Service (TSS): You can continue to sign up to TSS if you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. For more information, and to sign up, click here.
Updated – Check when you can account for import VAT on your VAT return: Guidance for VAT registered business has been updated with information on Non-established taxable persons and guidance on how to complete your declaration if you are accounting for import VAT on your VAT return. For more information, click here.
Updated – Kent traffic management on M20 motorway to Dover and Eurotunnel: Guidance has been updated to include further detail about Operation Brock – the traffic management system designed to keep Kent’s roads open in the event of disruption at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. For more information, click here.
Updated – Importing and exporting live fish and shellfish from January 2021: Guidance for importers and exporters of live fish, molluscs and crustaceans for farming, ornamental, or any other purpose except direct human consumption, has been updated, including updates on movements to Northern Ireland. For more information, click here.
Updated – Exporting or Importing objects of cultural interest from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to include exporting objects of cultural interest from Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
New – UK-Japan CEPA: Data protection: Information about data protection in the UK-Japan CEPA is available here.
Business Services
New – EU businesses providing services to the UK: Guidance has been issued for EU businesses to find out what they need to know about providing services in the UK from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
Updated – Guidance for UK businesses providing services to Ireland from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated for UK businesses on rules for trading in services with Ireland from 1 January 2021 to include information on the recognition of professional qualifications. For more information, click here.
Updated – Selling services to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein from 1 January 2021: Guidance for UK businesses offering services from 1 January 2021 has been updated with guidance for social security payments for employees. For more information, click here.
Data and Intellectual Property
New – Data protection and copyright for EU businesses: Guidance has been issued for EU businesses to inform them of what they need to do with data protection, intellectual property and copyright in the UK from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
Updated – EU trademark protection and comparable UK trade marks from 1 January 2021: Guidance for businesses and organisations holding EU trade marks at the end of the Transition Period has been updated to replace the section on pending cancellation actions. For more information, click here.
Designated Standards
New – Designated standards: Information has been issued for businesses about designated standards at the end of the Transition Period. For more information, click here.
Chemicals
Updated – Letter to the chemical’s sector: The Business Secretary’s letter to the chemicals sector has been updated to reflect that chemicals regulatory obligations affect both new chemicals and existing chemicals already on the market. To view this in full, click here.
Updated – Manufacturing and marketing fertilisers from 1 January 2021: Guidance on how manufacturers and importers of fertilisers should prepare for changes from 1 January 2021 has been updated with further information. For more information, click here.
Life Sciences
Guidance – Veterinary Medicines Regulations from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been issued on the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations from 1 January 2021. For more information, click here.
Updated – Guidance on pharmacovigilance procedures from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated to provide further information about country codes and worldwide case IDs which should be used when submitting and receiving ICSRs. For more information, click here.
Updated – Guidance on converting Centrally Authorised Products (CAPs) to UK Marketing Authorisations (MAs) from 1 January 2021: Guidance on ‘grandfathering’ and managing the lifecycle of medicinal products has been updated to include additional potential scenarios and clarify possible options available to applicants in relation to the processing and determination by the MHRA of pending Type IB and II variations at the time of the baseline submission. For more information, click here. Click to edit this placeholder text.
Waste
Updated – Importing and exporting waste from 1 January 2021: Guidance about what UK waste importers and exporters must do to notify about waste shipments from 1 January 2021 has been updated. Changes include new details on waste shipments from GB to Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland protocol context. For more information about the updates, click here.
Food & Drink
New – Poultry meat Importing after 31 December 2020: A notice has been published to detail information regarding poultry meat import quotas and information on licenses after 31 December 2020. For more information, click here.
New – Pig meat Importing after December 31 2020: A notice has been published to detail information regarding pig meat import quotas and information on licenses after 31 December 2020. For more information, click here.
Updated – Exporting wild caught marine fishery products to the EU from 1 January 2021: The ‘One Stop Shop’ guidance document for fishing and seafood businesses has ben updated. To view this, click here.
Updated – Hops and hops products marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Guidance for hops producers, manufacturers, retailer and distributors has been updated in respect of blends of hops and hops products, and exporting hops and hop products from Great Britain to the EU. For more information, click here.
Updated – Beef and veal marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been added on moving between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU. Guidance on Exporting beef and veal from Great Britain (GB) to the EU, importing beef and veal from the EU to GB and Moving beef and veal from GB to NI has also been updated. For more information, click here.
Updated – Poultry meat marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Guidance has been updated with respect of exporting poultry meat from GB to the EU, Moving poultry meat from GB to NI, Getting poultry meat optional indication certificates, importing poultry meat from EU to GB and importing poultry meat from non-EI countries to GB. For more information, click here.
Updated – Egg marketing standards from 1 January 2021: Guidance on hatching eggs and chicks marketing standards from 1 January 2021 has been updated along with guidance on Egg marketing standards from 1 January 2021.
Updated – Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS): Guidance on IPAFFS has been updated to show when importers can use IPAFFS to import their type of goods. For more information, click here.
Webinars
- HMRC customs declarations webinars: HMRC have launched multiple editions of this live webinar covering how to complete customs import declarations and explaining how to make import declarations when importing goods between the EU and Great Britain. Find a date and to register, click here.
- UK Transition Period: HSE and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be hosting two webinars on Wednesday 16 December and Wednesday 20 December, both at 10am. These events cover actions businesses need to take in preparation for the end UK Transition on 1 January 2021 when independent GB chemical regimes will be in place. To register, and for more information, click here.
- Department for International Trade webinars: DIT are hosting a series of webinars primarily aimed at businesses which are UK based who importing and exporting goods. To register for the next webinar on 3 December at 10:30 am, click here. Further sessions are scheduled to be held on 10 December and 17 December.
- Trading with the EU: A video series has been released that explains what businesses need to do to be ready for 1 January 2021. These videos cover what businesses need to know about exports and imports, customs, commodity codes and controlled goods. To view the videos, click here.
The Home Office has created a podcast episode in partnership with Intelligence Squared to help you prepare for the points-based immigration system. Listen now to Business and the Future of Immigration in 2021. Also available on Spotify and Apple.
Dorset Chamber delivers a free of charge International Trade and EU Transition advice service to all businesses, supported by Dorset LEP. For information and advice please contact us at gateway@dcci.co.uk / 01202 714800 or visit dorsetchamber.co.uk.