The UK has now left the EU and the transition period has come to an end. The UK is no longer in the Single Market and Customs Union and EU law no longer applies in the UK.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement was agreed upon in December 2021.

Guidance on what has changed, what has remained the same and what actions businesses and citizens may need to take can be found here.

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:

Find out about call charges

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.

TIGA’s Post-Brexit Updates

  • The Government publishes written answer on Turing Scheme – 19 January 2021 – link.
  • The Minister of State for Universities responds to a written question on Turing Scheme – 28 January 2021 – link.
  • TIGA welcomes the European Commission’s draft data adequacy decisions – 22 February 2021 – link.
  • EU adopts adequacy decisions allowing data to flow freely to the UK – 28 June 2021 – link.