Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Trade Hub
On 24 December 2020, the UK and EU negotiators reached an “agreement in principle” on the text of a new trade and cooperation agreement to govern their relations now that the UK has left the EU. The provisional application of this agreement went live on 1 January 2021 following the ratification of this agreement by both the EU and UK.
On the 31st December 2020, the ‘transition period’ ended and for some businesses, this is the first time that the practical effects of leaving the EU were experienced.
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is here to help businesses to understand and navigate the changes, to campaign for further clarity and guidance on the rules around our trading relationship with the EU, and to make sure that Edinburgh thrives outside of the EU. Please see below some links to useful guides to help your business continue to trade successfully with Europe:
- Find Sector-specific guidance here.
- Read the 10-point Brexit Checklist to help your business adjust to the changes
- A useful Brexit A – Z to help you understand some of the Brexit jargon.
- Read the Brexit FAQ’s which cover a range of topics, from documentation, to exporting of services, to VAT, tariffs and tax.
- British Chambers of Commerce have created three e-guides on Customs Declarations, Rules of Origin, and Tariffs.
- The UK Government have also created an online tool to help you find out what the new rules mean for your business and create a personalised list of actions.
- Funding is available through the SME Brexit Support Fund to help pay for training or professional advice,
- Use the Brexit Helpline for any queries from import and export documentation, tariffs, VAT to logistics – 0300 303 0661
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has created a new Customs Declaration Service
ChamberCustoms is our new customs brokerage service. (Please note our service does not include warehousing or logistics.) Uniquely, it has been created to clear goods for import and export at every port in the UK.
Please visit our page Customs Declaration Service
Make sure your team is equipped for changes from 1st January by attending the Chamber’s range of international training courses. Visit our calendar here.
Trade Hub FAQ
- If you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Trader Support Service will guide you through any changes due to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol
- You can find answers to EU Transition related queries and ask new questions on the UK EU Transition Trader and Industry Forum
- Check the status of the UK’s continuity agreements with third countries
- The Government have put together a series of guides on importing, exporting, and customs, including information on storing goods and paying import duty
- The Scottish Government have put together a guide on understanding VAT after Brexit
- British Chambers of Commerce have created a comprehensive checklist for international trade
- If you want a more detailed analysis, the Trade Policy Observatory have written a couple of briefing papers looking at the TCA and its impact on trade in goods and trade in services and digital trade