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The Transition Period
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is aware of the demand from our members and the wider business community for impartial and practical advice to prepare them for the UK's exit transition from the European Union.
We will be updating this section of our site with information from a range of relevant and respected sources and will aim to keep readers in the loop of any events or developments as we watch the Brexit situation unfold.
The UK is in a transition period until 31 December 2020 while the UK Government and the EU negotiate additional arrangements.
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Import Licences and certificates
Licences, certificates and special rules for bringing goods into the UK from 1 January 2021.
You’ll need to get a licence or certificate to import some types of goods into the UK.
You might also need to pay an inspection fee for some goods before they’re allowed into the UK.
Animals, plants, food and agricultural products
- live animals, animal products, high-risk food and feed
- fish for human consumption
- live fish and shellfish for aquaculture and ornamental purposes
- plant and plant products
- endangered animal and plant species, and products made from them
- veterinary medicines
- wood packaging
- timber
Drugs, chemicals and waste
Export Licences & Certificates from January 2021
Licences, certificates and special rules for taking goods out of the UK from 1 January 2021.
You’ll need to get a licence or certificate to export some types of goods from the UK.
Animals, plants, food and agricultural products
- live animals and animal products
- live animals, semen and embryos under the Balai Directive
- fish for human consumption
- live fish and shellfish for aquaculture and ornamental purposes
- endangered plant and animal species, and products made from them
- plants and plant products
- wood packaging
- timber
Chemicals and waste
Sanctions
There are different types of sanctions for trade, transport, finance and immigration.
Check if the goods you’re exporting will be controlled by UK sanctions from 1 January 2021. You may also not be allowed to export your goods to someone who is subject to financial sanctions.
Moving your goods to the EU or Common Transit countries
If you're using Union and Common Transit you'll need to prepare your goods and plan your route. You also need to check how to complete the different declarations you'll need.
When you have prepared your business for using Union and Common Transit, you must prepare your goods.
If you haven’t already, check if using Union and Common Transit it right for you.
Find out more on the following here
- Planning your route
- Check if you need to complete an export declaration
- Complete your transit declaration
- Start moving your goods
- If your goods are moving through a country outside the EU
- When your goods reach the country they’re moving to
- Further information
Transition Checker Tool
The straightforward checker tool quickly identifies the necessary steps you need to take as a business or individual.
Simply answer a few questions to get a personalised list of actions for you, your family and your businesses. The sign up for emails to get updates when things change.
Find the checker tool here ➡ https://www.gov.uk/transition
The actions people and business owners need to take vary based on their circumstances. They include:
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Making sure you are ready to travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, for example by getting comprehensive travel insurance, ensuring your passport is valid, and checking your roaming policy with your mobile phone provider.
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If you want to travel to Europe with your pet from 1 January 2021, contact your vet at least 4 months before you travel.
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Making sure your business is ready to export or import from/to the EU, for example by getting an EU EORI number or registering with the relevant Customs Authority.
How to Import and Export Goods between Great Britian and the EU from 1st January 2021
If you trade with the EU these 2 documents will help you prepare for these changes so you can continue to trade. Whether you’re completing the customs declarations yourself or have an intermediary to do it for you, these guides will take you through each step and set out your options.
How to import goods from the EU into Great Britain from Jan 2021
How to export goods from Great Britain into the EU from Jan 2021
Border Operating Model
A guide to how the border with the European Union will work after the transition period.
On 1 January 2021 the transition period with the European Union will end, and the United Kingdom will operate a full, external border as a sovereign nation. This means that controls will be placed on the movement of goods between Great Britain and the EU.
To afford industry extra time to make necessary arrangements, the UK Government has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021.
Declaring goods brought into Creat Britain from the EU from January 2021
You can record goods in your own records and make a supplementary declaration up to 6 months later. You will not need to submit an entry summary declaration.
If you’re importing standard goods into Great Britain from the EU between 1 January and 30 June 2021, you:
- can use ‘entry in the declarant’s records’ without getting authorisation in advance
- do not need to make an entry summary declaration
You’ll need to:
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Account for the VAT in your VAT Return if you’re VAT registered.
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Make a supplementary declaration up to 6 months after the goods were imported.
You or someone who does your import declarations for you will also need to have the following in place before you make your first supplementary declaration:
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Travelling to the EU
You can continue to travel to the EU as normal during the transition period. From the 1st January 2021 there will be new rules to travel to the EU or to Swizerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein will change from 1 January 2021.
Things you may need to do before you go include:
- check your passport
- get travel insurance that covers your healthcare
- check you have the right driving documents
- organise pet travel - contact your vet at least 4 months before you go
There are more things to do if you’re travelling for business. For example, going to meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music.
You’ll need to declare cash of £10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and any other country.
If you’re a business:
- you may need to make a customs declaration if you take goods with you to sell abroad or use for business
- find out what else you need to do to prepare your business during the transition period
Businesses that import and export goods
From 1 January 2021 you will need to make customs declarations to move goods into and out of the EU. You should:
- get an EORI number if you do not already have one
- decide how you want to make customs declarations and whether you need to get someone to deal with customs for you
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News Updates
13th July 2020 News Story:
Major new campaign to prepare UK for end of the transition period - The government has launched a new campaign to help businesses and individuals prepare for the end of the transition period. Read more
12 June 2020 News Story: Government accelerates border planning for the end of the Transition Period read more
12 June 2020 News Story: UK Government will not be seeking an extension to the EU exit Transition Period read more
12 June 2020 News Story: Second meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee
"The UK took the opportunity provided by this second meeting to emphasise the UK’s decision not to extend the transition period. There will be no further opportunities to extend the transition period. The UK will regain its economic and political independence on 1 January 2021 at the end of the transition period and uphold a key demand of the British people."
20 May 2020 Northern Ireland Protocol’
19 May 2020 UK Global Tariff from 1 January 2021List of customs agents and fast parcel operators
BCC responds to publication of UK trade tariffs read here
Use this service to check the UK Global Tariff that will apply to goods you import from 1 January 2021. You can also check the difference between what you pay now and what you’ll pay from 1 January 2021.
