John Baron MP urges local businesses to prepare for border changes

MP highlights three steps for businesses to take now

At the end of December, when the transition period expires, the UK will leave both the EU Single Market and the Customs Union. Whether or not there is a trade agreement with the EU, there will be some changes at the border which businesses should prepare for now. To support these preparations, the Government has published an updated Border Operating Model, which sets out how the border will operate from 31st December. In addition, there are three simple steps that businesses which trade with the EU should take to ensure readiness for the end of the transition period [for details, please see ‘Notes to Editors’ below].

John said,

“At the end of the transition period the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, and there will be changes at the border which local businesses should be aware of and should prepare for. I urge businesses to use the gov.uk website to familiarise themselves with these changes and how they may affect them, and to draw upon the webinars and other resources the Government is making available.”

“In particular, I would encourage all businesses which trade with the EU to follow these three steps [please see ‘Notes to Editors’] now to help ensure they are ready for the 1st January 2021. Leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union will allow Britain to capitalise on Brexit, but businesses should be alert to the new environment.”

Notes to Editors:

• The updated Border Operating Model is online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model.

• The three steps businesses which trade with the EU should take are:

o If businesses do not already have a GB EORI number, which helps customs identify their goods, they should go online and apply for one (https://www.gov.uk/eori). This will be necessary to trade with the EU after 31st December.
o Businesses should decide how they want to fulfil new customs requirements. Some businesses will do this themselves, but others may want to use a customs agent or intermediary and if so should identify one now.
o They should talk to the businesses in the EU with which they trade. These businesses will have to comply with new import and export requirements from the end of the transition period, including those of Member States.

• For businesses which trade in food, agrifood, controlled or specialist goods, there will be additional requirements which are detailed in the Operating Model.

• www.gov.uk/transition has a ‘transition checker’ which will help businesses understand not just new border requirements, but all the steps they need to take to be ready for the end of the transition period.