The UK left the EU on 31 January and has been in a transition period which will end on 31 December 2020.  

During the transition period, the majority of the current EU rules and trading arrangements have remained in place with no significant changes in most areas. 

However, the end of the transition period is fast approaching and this will mean changes to the current rules on trading, as will the right to travel without visas to other EU countries.

Please CLICK HERE for all the latest information and guidance in Wales.

Food and Drink - EU Transition Information

With fewer than 50 days to go to the end of the Transition Period, we are sharing with you some of the key information about what you need to do now to help you prepare your business for January 2021.

You are responsible for checking and acting on relevant information but we want to support you by signposting to sources of useful information and guidance. 

What can you do now to get ready to trade with the EU from 1 January 2021?

Get a GB EORI number

You will need an EORI number to complete customs declarations. You can register for free by going to 

www.gov.uk/eori

Decide how you’re going to make customs declarations

Customs agents, freight forwarders and express operators can help you with declarations and ensure you’re providing the necessary information. For more information, click here  

See if your imported goods are eligible for staged controls

Most traders with a good compliance record will be able to defer import declarations on most goods for up to 6 months after 1 January 2021. For more information, click here

If you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you can sign up to use the free Trader Support Service (TSS)

Do you hire staff from outside the UK?Click here to find out about new rules and arrangements from January 1 2021

Click here to read about the rules and logos for the UK’s new independent Geographical Indications (GI) schemes, granting special status to popular and traditional products

Further information on future trading with the EU is available here

Supporting you

Visit the dedicated web page ‘Preparing your food and drink business for 1 January 2021’ on Gov.UK, where you can find all the latest transition information in one place.

Visit the agri-food sector specific EU Exit hub. The Food and Drink Federation together with 50 other trade bodies are involved with the site, which provides information on what will change from January 1 2021.

DEFRA trader readiness webinars are now available to watch online:

·         Export Health Certificates

·         Exporting Products of Animal Origin (POAO) from Great Britain to the European Union 

·         Exporting Fish and Fishery Products for Human Consumption from Great Britain to the European Union   

BEIS have also produced webinars for the consumer goods and retail sectors, you can watch them here 

In this time of increased stress on the food supply chain, Food Innovation Wales has opened regional helplines

Consider joining a Welsh Government Cluster Group

Find out about food labelling

Read more advice from HMRC on action you can take now to prepare your business

Keeping up to date

Subscribe to HMRC’s free email update service 
www.gov.uk/hmrc/business-support and select ‘Sign up to help and support emails from HMRC’.

Subscribe to Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Industry newsletter.

Importing and exporting goods abroad

The Border Operating Model is UK Government’s explanation of the new border processes which will be introduced for trade to/from the EU next year, most of which will be required whether or not a trade deal is agreed.

It is important that if you trade with the EU you need to get these processes in place now to be able to continue to do so.

More information can be found at HERE

AN EORI - Economic Operators Registration and Identification number – is required for any business who import or export goods from and to the UK to anywhere in the world.

How to get an EORI number and the new information can be found HERE 

The process usually takes about three to five working days to get an EORI once it is applied for from the above link and is free to get.

The format of an EORI is – GB then 12 numbers, (For example, GB987654312000) and is often similar to a company’s existing VAT number (if they have one).

The important change is around Northern Ireland.

At present no UK business, moving goods or services to and from Northern Ireland need to have an EORI.

From 1 January 2021 a business will need an EORI number to move goods between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the EU and may also need one if they move goods to or from Northern Ireland.

A further EORI version will be issued to businesses in the format – IX and 12 numbers (For example, IX987654312000).

If a business already has an EORI number they will not need to apply for the additional EORI number for Norther Ireland, this will be sent out by HMRC, direct to the company in December 2020.

The parcel value threshold is also changing from 01^st Jan 2021, down to £135.00 (it currently is £270.00) and this will require small and micro business that use parcel companies to be prepared and have an EORI number (Many do not have one at present). If an EORI number is not available to be added to the required process, then a business may not be able to send products, as they currently do, to Northern Ireland and EU countries.