Trading with the EU: 6 key actions for your business

As UK begins its new start outside of the EU there are a range of actions businesses must take to prepare to avoid any potential disruption to their operations.

The 6 key actions many firms may need to take are:

1. Goods - if you import or export goods to the EU, you must get an EORI number, make customs declarations or employ an agent to do them for you, check if your goods require extra papers (like plant or animal products) and speak to the EU business you’re trading with to make sure they’re completing the right EU paperwork. There are also special rules that apply to Northern Ireland. Hauliers must obtain a Kent Access Permit and have a negative COVID test before they head to port in Kent.
2. Services - if you deliver services to the EU, you must check whether your professional qualification is recognised by the appropriate EU regulator
3. People - if you need to hire skilled staff from the EU, you must apply to become a licensed sponsor.
4. Travel - if you need to travel to the EU for business, you must check whether you need a visa or work permit.
5. Data - if your goods are protected by Intellectual Property (IP), you will need to check the new rules for parallel exporting IP protected goods from the UK to the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. You risk infringing on IP rights if you do not follow the new rules.
6. Accounting and reporting - if your business has a presence in the EU you may need to change how you undertake accounting and reporting to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements.

These 6 key actions should act as a guide for every business affected by the new rules, with more detailed, personalised advice available through the checker tool on gov.uk/transition.

To further support firms a series of new, on demand videos to help businesses familiarise themselves with the new rules is now available. Topics include importing and exporting, trade, data, and audit and accounting.

For further information on how to prepare your business for the new rules between the UK and the EU, please visit the Business Wales EU Transition Portal.