The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October. The government is taking steps to help businesses to prepare for Brexit and has drawn up a list of actions logistics operators should be doing for themselves.
The government is:
- Allocating an additional £2.1bn for no-deal Brexit preparations, doubling funding for this year (HMT total funding for Brexit is £6.3 billion). This includes £108m to support businesses to get ready;
- Creating a £10m Brexit Readiness Fund for trade associations and other business organisations to help, including events, training and advice packs;
- Establishing a new Business Finance Council to support SMEs through Brexit by identifying and addressing any barriers faced by small and mid-sized businesses in securing the finance they need;
- Auto-enrolling 88,000 VAT-registered businesses by HMRC for EORI numbers so they can continue to trade with their customers in the EU after 31 October. Those non-VAT registered businesses that cannot be auto-enrolled are urged to come forward and register – the process takes less than 10 minutes and is easy to find on the GOV.UK website.
- Holding Brexit Readiness Roadshows, led by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, are being held across the country where local businesses will be able to hear about what they need to do to prepare and get tailored support. The events are completely free – all you need to do to attend is register here.
Five things logistics companies involved in import or export to the EU can do now to get ready:
- Prepare for new customs procedures at the border when trading with the EU
To continue importing from and exporting to the EU after 31 October there are changes companies need to make now. Make sure you or your customers have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number that starts with GB. It’s quick, easy and free to do on gov.uk/brexit.
For businesses that import there’s also the option of applying to make this easier with transitional simplified procedures (TSP). This streamlines the process and is ideal for those new to customs procedures.
Find step-by-step guides to importing and exporting, as well as more information at gov.uk/brexit-traders.
- Check if your customers can give you the right documents for trade with the EU
You may not be able to transport goods through the EU if your customers do not give you the right documents. For guidance and a checklist on what documents you may need visit gov.uk/brexit and search ‘international road haulage checklist’.
- Signpost the EU Settlement Scheme
Employers can help their EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss staff get the information they need to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme. This will enable them to secure their rights in the UK. Applicants have until at least 31 December 2020 to make an application.
Visit gov.uk/brexit and search ‘EU Settlement Scheme Employer Toolkit’ for more information.
- Driving in the EU
Drivers will need to carry their UK driving licence when driving in the EU. They will also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU and EEA countries if we leave the EU without a deal.
Drivers will still need a Driver CPC qualification to drive a lorry professionally in the UK and other EU and EEA countries. Additionally, drivers will need to carry a motor insurance green card when driving in the EU and EEA if we leave without a deal.
For more information visit gov.uk/brexit and search ‘lorry drivers after Brexit’.
- Act now to continue legally receiving personal data from the EU/EEA after Brexit.
Check how you can legally continue to receive personal data such as names, addresses or payroll details from organisations in the EU or EEA after 31 October. You may need to update your contracts or take other steps. An example of a personal data transfer from an EU/EEA partner is a UK company that receives customer information from an EU/EEA company, such as names and addresses of customers, suppliers or partners to provide goods or services.
Find additional information at gov.uk/brexit-personal-data or visit the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance at ico.org.uk and search for ‘data protection and Brexit’.
For further information visit gov.uk/brexit for tailored business information and to sign up for email updates.
