 | Dedicated to UK Food & Drink Exporters |
As news becomes available on the UK's trading position with the European Union after the UK leaves the EU, we will post details and links here.
We recommend that you sign up to receive updates from the Government at https://www.gov.uk/government/brexit
Government's Partnership Pack - click here to view
This pack provides a high-level guide to processes and procedures that are likely to apply to cross-border activity between the UK and the EU in a ‘no deal’ scenario.
Essential Steps:
1. Get an EORI number
• A UK issued Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number is essential for UK businesses that wish to import or export goods with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
• Apply for an EORI number and you should receive it within 2-3 working days.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-uk-eori-number-to-trade-within-the-eu
2. Check your commodity/tariff codes
• Commodity codes are used to ensure goods have the correct tariff classification. Using the wrong codes for your products in customs declarations risks paying the wrong tariff, costly delays at the border or even goods being blocked entry into the EU.
• Search for your commodity code. HMRC can advise if further help is needed.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/finding-commodity-codes-for-imports-or-exports
3. Know what certificates your products need
• To ensure your product can enter the EU, it will need to be able to pass EU regulatory checks for third country goods. Products of animal origin will be subject to additional requirements.
• Products of animal origin will need an Export Health Certificate and must enter the EU via a Border Inspection Post (BIP). Most fish products will need a catch certificate.
https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/health-marks-update-feb-19-final.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-and-importing-fish-if-theres-no-brexit-deal
4. Check your product labelling
• Exported products must be labelled correctly to reflect the UK's third country status. UK products can no longer use 'EU' in country of origin labelling while products marketed as organic may face EU export restrictions until the UK becomes an approved third country.
• An EU importer/Food Business Operator address will be required on product labels and products
of animal origin must include the new UK health and ID mark.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-labelling-changes-after-brexit
https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/health-marks-update-feb-19-final.pdf
5. Decide if you will use a customs agent
• Most businesses use a customs broker, agent, or freight forwarder to make customs declarations for them. This can make exporting simpler and faster.
• Alternatively, you can make declarations yourself by obtaining approved software.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/declaring-your-goods-at-customs-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal
VAT IT system rules and processes if the UK leaves the EU without a deal
Changes to the way you pay or reclaim VAT if the UK leaves EU-wide VAT IT systems - click here to read
Guidance from the European Commission on goods on the market
The European Commission has published the following guidance: EC guidance on goods on the market. This addresses various aspects of EU Food law after exit, including clarification on their interpretation of goods placed on the market:
“If an individual food product has been placed on the EU-27 market before the withdrawal date, i.e. it has been (a) held in the EU27 for the purpose of sale, including offering for sale or any other form of transfer, whether free of charge or not; or (b) sold, distributed, of transferred by other forms to the EU27, this “stock” of food can continue to be sold, distributed or transferred in the EU27 as of the withdrawal date without the need for labelling changes”