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Exporting

The UK Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. New rules apply from 1 January 2021. This page brings together guidance and news from ICAEW, as well as externally-produced resources providing practical information on export planning and international trade.

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Need to know

What does the Brexit deal mean for your shipments?
  • Website
  • 14 Jan 2021
UPS Brexit resources page outlining how to ship between the UK and the EU, including a Brexit-Ready Toolkit and shipping manuals.
Brexit checklist
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 19 Oct 2020
Read our quick-start guide, outlining a variety of areas that could impact your business post Brexit.

Latest news and insights

Get ready for full customs declarations for EU imports and exports
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2021
Border controls with the EU are being phased in following the UK exiting the EU’s single market and customs union. The next change will apply from 1 January 2022, as explained by ICAEW’s Tax Faculty.
Limited window for SMEs to apply for Brexit support grant
  • Article
  • 29 Mar 2021
Businesses qualifying for a grant under the Brexit Support Fund only have until 30 June 2021 to apply and may not succeed if the £20m fund runs out before the deadline.
Grants for SMEs needing advice on imports and exports
  • Article
  • 24 Feb 2021
Small and medium-sized UK businesses needing support on customs duties and VAT will be able to apply to the SME Brexit Fund for a grant of up £2,000 to pay for professional advice or training, confirms HMRC.
Brexit: legal rulings for the origin of goods after 1 January 2021
  • Article
  • 16 Dec 2020
16 December: HMRC has published guidance on the validity of binding origin information decisions issued by the UK after the transition period and what this means for businesses importing and exporting goods.
Tax news in brief
  • Article
  • 16 Dec 2020
16 December 2020: Highlights from the broader tax news this week includes: support from HMRC on withdrawal of VAT retail export and airside tax-free shopping scheme; the opening of an online portal for businesses using postponed VAT accounting to download statements; and data on how the enhanced CEST tool has been used in its first 12 months.
Chart of the week: UK trade in goods
  • Article
  • 03 Dec 2020
4 December 2020: With less than a month to go before the UK leaves the EU Single Market and Customs Union, trade is high on the agenda as negotiations between the UK and the EU go down to the wire.
Brexit planning: customs and VAT post the transitional period
  • Article
  • 09 Nov 2020
10 November 2020: With less than 30 working days to go until the Brexit transition period ends, ICAEW Tax Faculty delved into all things VAT and customs for a special webinar covering the impending changes to import and export rules.
Brexit planning: labels, logistics and whisky
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2020
2 November 2020: Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd is a Scottish independent company that has forged a strong reputation in the spirits industry. Its CFO, Mike Younger, talks Brexit, labels and logistics.

Guides and FAQs

HMRC Freeports Induction Pack
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 05 Apr 2022
  • PDF (178kb)
This pack contains information for potential Freeport customs site operators, including the benefits of operating a business in a Freeport customs site, how to apply for the relevant authorisations and the benefits available in a Freeports tax site.
UK trade agreements The UK has negotiated agreements with its international trading partners, including the EU and Japan, that set out the rules on trade. This page brings together guidance and resources from the UK government, the EU and other useful sources on the new EU-UK treaty and trade agreements with non-EU countries.
Export finance
  • Hub page
  • 23 Mar 2017
Use our selection of books, guides, useful links, books and articles to find more information on export finance.

Webinars

VAT changes in Europe
  • Webinar
  • 10 Dec 2020
This webinar runs through post-Brexit VAT changes for overseas sellers exporting to Europe.
Taking the financial risk out of exporting
  • Webinar
  • 04 Nov 2020
Join this webinar to hear more about export financing and the options available for SME businesses. In this practical webinar we will look at the types of products and support on offer from financial institutions. We will look at the first steps you should take, how a typical application works and current support available from government.
An Exporter's Guide to Brexit
  • Webinar
  • 21 Oct 2020
This webinar, in partnership with MHA, delivers insights into various types of export supply chain scenarios and highlights areas that UK businesses must consider as part of their Brexit planning to avoid unnecessary delays or compliance failures.
An exporters guide to brexit
  • Webinar
  • 21 Oct 2020
  • PDF (1,803kb)
This webinar, in partnership with MHA delivers insights into various types of export supply chain scenarios and highlights areas that UK businesses must consider as part of their Brexit planning to avoid unnecessary delays or compliance failures
Desmystifing export: hear real life stories that will help you understand where to start and the potential pitfall
  • Webinar
  • 14 Oct 2020
Are you considering exporting to grow your business, build resilience or just wondering how to get a foot in new markets? If so, our webinar is for you. Hear the export journeys taken by two entirely different businesses to help de-bunk any myths surrounding exporting so you're ready to take the plunge.

External resources

Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) guide
  • Website
  • 21 Dec 2021
Guide for hauliers, carriers and intermediaries which brings together the key aspects of using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service to move goods between Great Britain and the EU. This information supports the transition to new customs procedures from 1 January 2022.
Transporting goods to and from the EU
  • Website
  • 01 Feb 2021
Simple guide which takes you through the stages involved in moving goods, covering: pre-journey documentation; documentation required when picking up goods; formalities at the EU and UK borders; and requirements after leaving the port.
Making a full export declaration
  • Website
  • 05 Nov 2019
Guidance on what businesses need to do when making a full declaration to send goods from the UK, including the procedures that apply from 1 January 2022.
Ask the export support team a question
  • Website
  • 01 Oct 2021
Helpline and online service for UK businesses selling goods or services to Europe. The government's export support team can answer questions about exporting to new markets, paperwork needed to sell abroad, and the rules for specific countries.
Trading with the EU and Northern Ireland – SME toolkit
  • Website
  • 01 Mar 2021
Bite-sized summaries explaining the actions and decisions that SMEs need to take when importing and exporting, providing services in the EU, travelling for business, trading and moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland, hiring EU citizens, and protecting data and IP. Includes a useful glossary of terms you need to know and helpline numbers.
Institute of Export and International Trade
  • Website
  • 23 Feb 2021
The IOE&IT provides support, training and advice on international trade, exporting, customs, AEO status, and other key issues for UK businesses.
Keep your business moving: Video explainers on new rules for doing business with EU
  • Website
  • 19 Jan 2021
Suite of on-demand short videos from UK government for businesses on importing, exporting, rules of origin, tariffs, providing services to EU markets, Northern Ireland, data handling, hiring staff, and selling goods. Sector-specific videos also cover chemicals regulations, IP, emissions, waste, and Horizon funding.
What does the Brexit deal mean for your shipments?
  • Website
  • 14 Jan 2021
UPS Brexit resources page outlining how to ship between the UK and the EU, including a Brexit-Ready Toolkit and shipping manuals.