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International resources on Brexit

The UK Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. New rules apply from 1 January 2021. This page brings together resources from the EU, UK and other jurisdictions providing practical information on trade, investment and doing business.

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Latest news and insights

The UK has negotiated agreements with its international trading partners, including the EU and Japan, that set out the rules on trade. Our UK trade agreements  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.
UK signs Free Trade Agreement with Australia
  • Article
  • 21 Dec 2021
The UK has signed its first “from scratch” Free Trade Agreement since leaving the EU, promising new business opportunities as well as easier access for skilled workers, including accountants, to Australia’s service sectors.
EU sets out a more sustainable and assertive approach to trade
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2021
11 March 2021: A strategy recently adopted by the European Commission paves the way towards a greener trade policy, accompanied by a push for reform of global trading rules. It makes clear the EU’s determination to take a tougher approach towards enforcing trade agreements and dealing with unfair trade practices.
Brexit transition planning: VAT on overseas goods
  • Article
  • 24 Nov 2020
24 November: HMRC has published guidance on how organisations deal with VAT when selling overseas goods to customers within Great Britain from 1 January 2021.
Brexit transition planning: VAT refunds
  • Article
  • 19 Nov 2020
19 November: HMRC confirms access to the EU VAT refund system will end on 31 March 2021 and claims relating to VAT incurred after 31 December 2020 will have to be made manually.
End of transition: free support on changes to Northern Ireland trade
  • Article
  • 10 Nov 2020
10 November 2020: The UK government has created the Trader Support Service to help firms involved in the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It provides support on adapting to new processes, including issuing XI EORI numbers which are mandatory from 1 January 2021.
What will Brexit mean for our relationship with Vietnam?
  • Article
  • 02 Nov 2020
3 November 2020: A webinar hosted by the UK Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council has highlighted the strength of the UK-Vietnam trading relationship and the continued opportunities available to both countries.
Post-Brexit VAT: a minefield both sides of the Channel
  • Article
  • 29 Sep 2020
30 September 2020: As the Brexit transition period nears its end, businesses in the UK and EU face a number of VAT issues that need to be addressed, says indirect tax expert Stephen Dale, FCA.
CE marking: just one headache for the manufacturing sector
  • Article
  • 29 Sep 2020
30 September 2020: As the Brexit transition period nears its end, manufacturers are working to get measures in place in preparation. Rittal UK’s finance and HR director explains some of the complications involved.

Guidance from individual jurisdictions

The European Commission provides updated National information on Brexit in Member States with links to country-specific Brexit portals and websites from each EU Member State giving essential information for UK and EU businesses and citizens.

Looking for more business guides and information on setting up, trading and travelling to specific countries? Our Doing business in... guides cover over 160 jurisdictions around the world, providing links to key information and support networks.

Belgium: Brexit hub
  • Website
  • 08 Oct 2020

Brexit information from the Belgian Federal Government, to help Belgian citizens and businesses prepare for Brexit. Links are provided to relevant government resources, including a Brexit checklist provided by Belgian Customs and a Brexit Impact Scan to help Belgian companies assess the possible impact of Brexit on their business.

Cyprus: Brexit and Cyprus
  • Website
  • 08 Oct 2020
Cyprus Government portal providing news and announcements about Brexit. The section for businesses covers information relevant to trading goods and services. Information on residence rights and residence documents in Cyprus is also available.
Denmark: Danish Customs Agency Brexit
  • Website
  • 08 Oct 2020

Brexit information from the Danish Customs Agency (Toldstyrelsen), with Brexit for business pages covering customs, tax and duty from 1 January 2021. A Brexit hotline is available for companies with questions about trading with the UK after Brexit.

France: Preparing for Brexit
  • Website
  • 07 Oct 2020
French government portal providing French citizens and businesses with practical information related to Brexit, including importing and exporting advice.
Germany: Brexit FAQs: Practical guidance
  • Website
  • 07 Oct 2020
Experts from the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce answer frequently asked Brexit questions from companies based in the UK. Topics covered are: Marketing; Legal; Thoughts on Contractual Drafting for Brexit; Tax.
Germany: GTAI-Special Brexit
  • Website
  • 21 Jul 2020
The brexit hub from Germany Trade & Invest provides regular information (in German) on the latest news on Brexit for everyone involved in German-British trade, including updates on legal and customs developments.
Ireland: Brexit Readiness Checker
  • Website
  • 26 Oct 2020
Tool designed to provides businesses with a quick and accessible way to check their readiness across a number of key areas from customs procedures to movement of people. After answering a few questions the tool produces an individualised report which provides advice on the next steps and a selection of targeted resources.
Ireland: Getting Ireland Brexit ready
  • Website
  • 07 Oct 2020
Practical guidance from the Government of Ireland to help businesses and citizens prepare for Brexit. Includes the Government's detailed Brexit Readiness Action Plan to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. 

UK government guidance

The UK has negotiated agreements with its international trading partners, including the EU and Japan, that set out the rules on trade. Our UK trade agreements  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.
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.
Accounting for European Economic Area (EEA) organisations
  • Website
  • 31 Dec 2020
Brief guidance on how EEA companies and groups with a presence in the UK can comply with UK accounting and reporting requirements. It also covers entities operating as an EEA company with a UK listing and auditing EEA companies.
EU business: exporting to the UK
  • Website
  • 02 Dec 2020
Information for EU businesses on buying and selling goods, transporting goods to the UK, exporting food and drink, agri-food, animals, plants and fish, energy-related goods, manufactured goods, cosmetics, trading timber, and trading chemicals from 1 January 2021.
EU business: importing from the UK
  • Website
  • 04 Dec 2020
Information for EU businesses on buying and selling goods, transporting goods from the UK, importing animals, plants and fish, controlled goods, trading timber and trading chemicals from 1 January 2021.
Get your EU professional qualification recognised in the UK
  • Website
  • 31 Dec 2020
Guidance on how to get professional qualifications obtained in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein recognised in the UK.
How to import and export goods between Great Britain and the EU from 1 January 2021
  • Website
  • 13 Jul 2020
Handy decision trees from HM Government on the importing and exporting processes from January 2021. 
Trade with the UK from 1 January 2021 as a business based in the EU
  • Website
  • 07 Oct 2020

UK government advice to help prepare your business for January 2021 if you are based in the EU. Covers buying or selling goods, paying VAT or claiming VAT refunds, transferring personal data to the UK, providing services in the UK.

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.

EU guidance

Access2markets
  • Website
  • 13 Oct 2020
EU portal for exports outside the EU or import into the EU which covers duties, taxes, product rules and requirements for all EU countries and over 120 other markets around the world. Includes an A-Z of EU trade agreements with non-EU markets and a Rules of Origin self-assessment tool (ROSA).
Brexit: What changed on 1 February 2020 for customs and tax?
  • Website
  • 07 Oct 2020

Guidance from the European Commission to help businesses prepare for changes to customs and tax from 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period will have ended. Includes relevant 'notices for readiness' and a Brexit checklist for traders (PDF, 1 page).

Brexit: Withdrawal Agreement to be fully operational on 1 January 2021
  • Website
  • 17 Dec 2020

The EU-UK Joint Committee endorsed all formal decisions and other practical solutions related to the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement on 17 December 2020. The Withdrawal Agreement, and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in particular, will now be implemented on 1 January 2021. More detail is available in the Questions & Answers document.

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: protecting European interests, ensuring fair competition, and continued cooperation in areas of mutual interest
  • Website
  • 24 Dec 2020

Summary of the draft Trade and Cooperation Agreement highlighting the impact to trade, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and governance. The press release also outlines next steps for the European Commission and Council. A detailed Q&A is available.

Europe Direct Contact Centre: Brexit helpline for citizens
  • Website
  • 17 Dec 2020

The EU's single phone number for citizens is available to answer Brexit-related questions from citizens, businesses and stakeholders in all 24 official languages. Questions related to the UK will be treated as a matter of priority. The Contact Centre is available via free phone from all Member States and the UK – dial 00 800 6789 1011 or arrange a free call back.

Getting ready for the end of the transition period
  • Website
  • 21 Sep 2020
Guidance from the European Commission to help businesses prepare for the end of the transition period. Includes a Brexit readiness checklist for companies doing business with the UK (PDF, 6 pages) and sector-specific advice.
Getting ready for the end of the transition period - Readiness notices
  • Website
  • 06 Oct 2020
Over 100 sector-specific readiness notices produced by the European Commission to help businesses prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period. The notices explain the legal situation and provide advice to stakeholders in each sector. 
National information on Brexit in Member States
  • Website
  • 09 Apr 2021
Links to country-specific Brexit portals and websites from each EU Member State with essential information for UK and EU businesses and citizens.