The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. Although no longer a member of the EU, the Withdrawal Agreement provides for a transition period up to 31 December 2020.
During this transition, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK and the UK will remain part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. There will be no immediate changes for citizens and businesses in their day-to-day dealings.
However when the transition ends on 31 December 2020, a number of substantial changes arise. Of these, the most significant is that, from 1 January 2021, the UK will no longer apply the rules of the Single Market and Customs Union. This means that any business, regardless of size, who moves goods from, to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities and other regulatory requirements.
Whether you are a local business or a major multinational, there are a number of steps that you can take now for your business to ensure that you’re Getting Brexit Ready:
It is important to note that these changes will not apply with respect to trade in goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland will apply form the end of the transition period and provides that the Union Customs Code will continue to apply to and in Northern Ireland .
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