After all the deliberating, debating, delaying, campaigning, voting, protesting and general confusion, we are on the eve of Brexit Day – the 31st January.

Whatever your political take on the decision made by the UK public back in June 2016, there seems to be no going back now, as the UK government has written to all of its VAT registered businesses to confirm we leave the European Union this week.

The notice states that “from 1 February the UK will no longer be a member of the EU, and we’ll enter an implementation period that lasts until 31st December 2020”.

It adds that “during this time there will be no changes to the terms for trading with the EU or the rest of the world, unless the rules change for the whole of the EU. This means EU rules for customs, VAT and excise will continue to apply to the movement of goods and trade for this limited time. There will be no new customs procedures at present.”

“From 1st January 2021, the way you trade with the EU will change, and you’ll need to prepare for life outside the EU, including new customs arrangements. For example, for trade between Great Britain (GB) and the EU, you will need to make customs declarations to import and export goods once the UK is outside of the EU’s customs territory.”

The government continues to press the need for obtaining an EORI number, which you can speak to your local Uniserve representative about if you have not yet arranged. However, it also advised that the import TSP (Transitional Simplified Procedures) scheme has been suspended and will not be used this year.

Northern Irish businesses received an additional notation, which explained that any previous advice could be ignored. However, the government confirmed they will “ensure that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland and that Northern Ireland remains in the UK’s customs territory.”

So, in short, this year will see the UK try to negotiate a deal with the EU, and potentially with all other global regions, as our international trade continues ‘as we were’ until at least December.  During this time Uniserve will continue to maintain updates, as we have have been throughout the process, on our Brexit Page.

Whether the 31st of January becomes a date that we recollect for years to come remains to be seen. Perhaps it will be marked with a bank holiday in time, as we all remember Brexit Day or maybe even Independence Day?

Uniserve are the UK’s leading independent logistics provider, to find out more about how Uniserve can add leverage to your supply chain, then please call 01375 856060 or email info@ugroup.co.uk.

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