The transition period will come to an end on the 31 December 2020. The UK will therefore be leaving the customs union and the EU single market, which will mean changes to citizens, businesses, and travel to and from the EU. The Government’s central hub for guidance on what businesses need to do to prepare for the changes can be found here.
Guidance
Guidance for DCMS sectors during the transition period and after 1 January 2021
Information for DCMS sectors now that the UK has left the EU. The guidance can be read in full here.
Using personal data in your business or other organisation after the transition period
Intellectual Property and the Transition Period
The Government have also provided guidance on the key changes to expect at the end of the transition period. It can be read in full here.
The changes will impact:
- Consider carefully where to disclose your designs to ensure they have adequate protection in their most important market;
- If you export IP-protected goods on the secondary or parallel market, contact the rights holder in the EEA to see if you have permission to continue to parallel export.
- Consider if you want exports to continue if you are a business that owns the IP rights for goods currently parallel exported from the UK to the EEA.
- You can find out what other actions you may need to take by using the checker tool at gov.uk/transition and signing up for business readiness updates.
Data Protection at the End of the Transition Period
International Data Transfers
Immigration Rules
Employing from the EU after 1 January 2021
The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has provided further information and guidance on hiring from the EU after the end of the transition period.
- You can find out what actions you may need to take by visiting gov.uk/transition and using the checker tool.
- From 1 January 2021, the UK will introduce a points-based immigration system that is designed to treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and transform the way in which employers recruit internationally. The new system will not apply to hiring Irish citizens, or EU citizens already living and working in the UK who are eligible under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Regardless of the nature of our future trading relationship with the EU, from 1 January there will be guaranteed changes for businesses:
- You will need to be a licensed sponsor to hire eligible workers from outside the UK. This normally takes 8 weeks and fees apply. Check your business is eligible and read the accompanying sponsorship guidance.
- New job, salary and language requirements will apply to anyone that you want to hire from outside the UK. Check that the people you want to hire will meet the requirements for coming to the UK for work.
The Government will continue to provide sector-specific webinars to walk you through the actions you need to take. All previously recorded webinars are also available on demand now.
Imports and Exports: Guidance
Online
Send a question about imports, exports and customs reliefs
Webchat
Speak to an adviser online about general import and export queries.
Phone
Call HMRC for help with questions about:
- importing
- exporting
- customs reliefs
Find out how to claim a repayment of customs charges if you think you have been charged too much.
Telephone:
0300 322 9434
Textphone:
0300 200 3719
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
You can also find out information in:
- the official HMRC app
- your personal tax account or business tax account using HMRC online services
Post
Write to HMRC for help with questions about importing, exporting and customs reliefs.
HM Revenue and Customs – CITEX Written Enquiry Team
Local Compliance S0000
Newcastle
NE98 1ZZ
United Kingdom
Include your VAT registration number and the name and postal address of your business.