Don’t Ignore Brexit – Change Is Coming January 2021

Don’t Ignore Brexit – Change Is Coming January 2021

Although the Covid 19 pandemic may have pushed Brexit off the front pages, the reality is that the UK officially left the EU on 31st January 2020 and October represents the 9th month of the 11-month transition period. The net effect of this is that in trading terms, the UK will then be considered a “third country”.  A "third country" basically refers to any country outside the EU, and in this case outside its economic structures - the single market and the customs union. Businesses in a third country have to fill in customs declarations, for example, when they import from and export to the EU - whether there is a trade agreement or not.

To help Wicklow based businesses deal with the looming Brexit threat, Local Enterprise Office Wicklow have increased their Brexit supports with a number of customs training programmes and mentoring services to help clients navigate through the challenge Brexit poses to their business.

A ‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ course will take place over 3 days commencing on the 17th November 2020. Some of the issues that businesses will face from a Customs and Trade perspective will be covered. They include:

  • Customs Duty
  • Import VAT
  • Border Delays
  • Additional Costs e.g. Clearance Agents, etc.
  • Additional Documentation e.g. Import and Export Documentation, etc.
  • New Procedures e.g. How and when to lodge import and export SADs, etc.
  • New Licenses

Different issues will impact on each sector in a slightly different way. This course will enable companies to understand both Revenue rules in Ireland and HMRC rules in the UK. It will also cover the post Brexit simplifications being introduced by both Authorities and how to apply for these. This course can be booked here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wicklow/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Prepare-Your-Business-for-Customs-Workshop-17-18-19-11-2020.html

LEO Wicklow are running Brexit Mentoring Clinics on the following dates, Thursday 22nd October 2020 and Wednesday 3rd December 2020. These Brexit clinics provide you with the opportunity to meet with customs consultant, Michael McGill, to discuss the particular circumstances for your business with regard to the documentary and procedural requirements that need to be put in place to ensure that your business can continue to trade with the UK post Brexit. These clinics can be booked here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wicklow/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/

Michael is a retired Customs Officer, based in Dublin who has worked in the Irish Customs Service for over 42 years. While employed in the Irish Customs he has developed a deep knowledge of all Customs procedures and worked in all areas of customs including trade facilitation, investigations, and law enforcement. He has provided expert advice to Irish business on a variety of Customs issues. He now has a particular focus on providing advice to importers and exporters on Brexit related matters and on AEO programmes.

Two designated Brexit advisors are available to meet with businesses to explore how businesses can best prepare their business and to point them to the practical steps they need to take now. To avail of this support please email: enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie requesting to meet with a Brexit advisor.

Thirdly, a virtual “Are You Brexit Ready?” event is taking place on the 21st of October 2020. There will be a series of online talks on issues critical to your business; key topics will include an update on the Brexit negotiations, the effect on trade with Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an overview of customs procedures and requirements, logistics, importing goods etc. A number of companies will also give a perspective on their preparations to date. Highlighting challenges faced and actions taken. This event can be booked here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Are-You-BREXIT-ready-Free-Online-Event.html

Head of Enterprise at LEO Wicklow Vibeke Delahunt added, “there are many practical steps that businesses should take without delay. If you are a trader who imports or exports goods within the European Union you will need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) Number and you should ensure that you are clear about the binding tariff that applies to your goods, you should familiarise yourself with Customs procedures and take a holistic view of how Brexit may impact your business across all areas including supply chain, finance, client management and market growth and development. The Local Enterprise office are here to help guide Businesses through this turbulent period, so please look at the supports on our website or email our office directly to see how we can help your business. Our phone is 0404 30800 and email: enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie  “

Useful contacts for businesses:

To find out more or apply for an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number please log onto: https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/customs-electronic-systems/eori-system.aspx

The Customs authority designated for the purpose of taking decisions relating to binding tariff information (BTI) is The Classification Unit (BTI), Revenue Commissioners, Nenagh, Co Tipperary  E45T611, Tel: 067 63370 or email: ecustoms@revenue.ie

A full suite of Brexit supports for Micro enterprises is listed here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wicklow/Financial-Supports/Brexit/

InterTradeIreland: https://intertradeireland.com/brexit/

Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/EU-Internal-Market/Brexit/Getting-Brexit-Ready/

Enterprise Ireland: https://www.prepareforbrexit.com/

ENDS

 

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