Brexit
The UK has left the European Union (EU).
On 8 June, the government published a new overview of what the UK-EU free trade deal means in practice now the UK has left the EU. This includes a broader guide to ‘life after Brexit’ with links to guidance on the range of actions businesses and citizens may need to take.
Businesses can also use the Brexit Checker tool, which will provide a personalised list of the most up-to-date actions that businesses need to take.
Information for businesses
If you move goods into and out of the EU, you will need to make customs declarations.
Some customs arrangements for moving goods between Great Britain and the EU (except Ireland) changed on 1 January 2022 as follows:
- Full customs import declarations are needed for all goods at the time you or your courier/freight forwarder bring them into Great Britain, except if they are non-controlled goods imported from Ireland to Great Britain
- Customs controls at all ports and other border locations
- Suppliers of goods using the zero tarrifs agreed in the UK’s trade deal with the EU may be required to prove the origin of goods (either UK or EU) with a supplier’s declaration
- New commodity codes used to classify goods for customs declarations are in place
Current customs arrangements for goods moving from Ireland and Northern Ireland to Great Britain will be extended for as long as discussions between the UK and EU on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol are ongoing.
If your businesses move goods into or out of Northern Ireland, the free Trader Support Service can guide you through the process.
General support and advice
- GOV.UK - Guidance and help for UK transition
- GOV.UK - Imports and exports general enquiries
- GOV.UK - Letters to import and export businesses
- British Chambers of Commerce - Trade Hub
- Federation of Small Businesses - Trade Advisory Hub
- Institute of Export and International Trade - International trade support
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - Brexit resources for members
DEFRA business information
Help with new regulations
- Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) - Guidance to help businesses comply with changed regulations
Information for residents
EU citizens living in the UK
The UK Government has reached an agreement with the EU which gives EU citizens living in the UK the right to live, work or get benefits. Family members living lawfully with their EU citizen relatives are also protected.
Most citizens from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will need to apply to stay in the UK.
Settled status
Those who already have five years’ continuous lawful residence in the UK will be eligible for settled status. Others will be able to remain in the UK to build up five years' continuous residence provided they apply for pre-settled status.
The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021, though you must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You may be able to apply after this date if you're joining a family member in the UK.