How to Prepare for Brexit
On 1 January 2021, the UK left the EU and 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.
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 from 1 January and provides that the Union Customs Code will continue to apply to and in Northern Ireland.
Stay Up to Date
Readiness Action Plan
The Brexit Readiness Action Plan sets out the steps that businesses and individuals should consider in order to be ready for Brexit. Click HERE for further information.
Brexit and Business
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/de6c1-brexit-and-business/
Brexit and You
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cb794c-brexit-and-you/
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/060fdf-northern-ireland/
Take Action
Follow these steps to get your Business Brexit Ready:
- Understand the new rules for trading with the UK
- Review your supply chain
- Be aware of possible changes to transport and logistics
- Using the UK Landbridge
- Ensure you are maximising Government Brexit Advisory, Financial and Upskilling Supports
- Review all your certification, regulation and licencing
- review your contracts and data management
- manage your cash flow, currency and make sure your banking is in order
- protect and inform your staff
Check List
Brexit Readiness Checklist
The Brexit Readiness Checklist highlights some of the key actions that businesses can take to get ready for the changes Brexit will bring. The checklist includes links to the relevant agencies who can provide the necessary guidance and support to businesses. Click Here to access the Brexit Readiness Checklist.
Top 20 FAQ about Brexit
Click Here for the top 20 most frequently asked questions and answers about Brexit.
Brexit Readiness Checker
Six Steps to Preparing your Business
Brexit will affect all companies, big and small, moving goods to, from or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. If you don’t take steps to prepare, your trade will be disrupted from January 1st. Further details are available in the government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan.
The Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland means that separate arrangements apply on the island of Ireland and no new checks or controls will apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland in either direction.
Step 1: Customs
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4cc1a-step-1-customs/
Step 2: Other Controls
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea6ed-step-2-other-controls/
Step 3: Product Compliance
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9be0d-step-3-product-compliance/
Step 4: Supply Chain
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f29a3-step-4-supply-chain/
Step 5: Financial Management
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b736f-step-5-financial-management/
Step 6: Other Considerations
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/abcc1-step-6-other-considerations/
Contacts and Supports
Brexit – If you need to call
For situations requiring urgent and immediate assistance, Government departments and agencies have put in place a number of resources to assist business and citizens for the critical days ahead. A full list of relevant Government services is available here.
Area
|
Opening Hours
|
Contact Details
|
|
HSE schemes & services / European Health Insurance Card / General health service queries
|
Tel: 1850 241 850 (LoCall) Tel: 01 240 8787 Email: hselive@hse.ie Twitter: @HSELive |
Mon to Fri: 8 am – 8 pm : Sat: 10 am – 5pm |
|
Purchasing from the UK / Online Shopping / Personal finance, insurance and banking
|
Tel: 1890 432 432 (LoCall) 01 402 5555 (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) |
Mon to Fri: 9 am – 6 pm |
|
Social welfare payments
|
Tel: 1890 662 244 (LoCall) Tel: 071 919 3302 (Department of Social Protection) |
Mon to Fri: 9 am – 5 pm |
|
UK driver licence information
|
Tel: 076 108 7880 (National Driving Licence Service) |
Mon to Fri: 8am -6pm: Sat 9am-1pm |
|
Financial Services Information / Financial Regulation / Authorisation of financial services firms queries
|
Tel: 1890 777 777 (LoCall) Tel: 01 224 5800 (Central Bank) |
Mon to Fri: 9 am – 5 pm |
|
General enquiries: Travel / Passports / Social welfare payments and entitlements / Visas / Family law
|
Tel: 076 107 4000 (Contact Citizens Information Board) |
Mon to Fri: 9 am – 8 pm |
The Department of Finance phone line
+353 76 100 7500 and is operational from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Revenue Customs Helpline
- Customs Clearance
- Import/Export/Transit controls
- Customs controls on items shipped using An Post
- Movements of goods which have a declaration reference number i.e. A Master Reference Number (MRN)
- General Customs queries.
This helpline can be contacted on +353 1 738 3685 and is operating 24/7.
- Preparedness of financial services – insurance, banking
- Financial regulation
- Authorisation of financial services firms
The Central Bank of Ireland can be contacted as follows:
Public Contacts Unit – 1890 777 777 or enquiries@centralbank.ie
Media Queries – media@centralbank.ie
Brexit and Business
Government have made available a range of business supports, including advisory, financial and upskilling supports to prepare for Brexit.
Financial Supports
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1efec-programmes-funds-and-supports/#financial-supports
Upskilling Supports
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1efec-programmes-funds-and-supports/#upskilling-supports
Advisory Supports
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1efec-programmes-funds-and-supports/#getting-advice
Small Business Supports
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Discover-Business-Supports/Brexit/2020-LEO-Brexit-Services-Booklet-Oct-Interactive-pdf.pdf
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Brexit/
Agrifood and Fisheries
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/93d1b1-agriculture-fisheries/
Retail
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b484fa-retail/
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/31c7c-cabinet-agrees-amendment-to-brexit-bill-2020-to-deal-with-vat-retail-export-scheme-to-support-retailers-donohoe/
Healthcare, Medicines & Medical Products
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b2f783-healthcare-medicines-medical-products/
Tourism
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/369873-tourism/
Construction
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c8452f-construction/
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9a771-brexit-construction-products-regulation/
Register for customs
If you move goods to, from or through Great Britain (GB), after the transition period you need to register for Customs. You can do this by getting an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
From 1 January 2021, Northern Ireland traders will be considered as traders established in the customs territory of the European Union. In relation to current Northern Ireland EORI numbers, it is envisaged that a new County code of ‘XI’ will replace ‘GB’ from 1 January 2021.
Decide who will submit your customs declarations
Customs formalities will apply after the transition period when trading in goods with GB. This means you will have to submit customs declarations. You, or an agent acting on your behalf, must have the facility to lodge electronic customs declarations to Revenue.
Know the key data required for a customs declaration
Commodity code
This code is determined by your specific product. It is used to determine the import duties you will be liable to pay. It is important you have your products correctly classified.
Customs value of your goods
The customs value of your goods must be entered on your customs declaration. It is made up of the invoice price plus the cost of transport and insurance.
Origin of your goods
You need to know where the product you are importing originates from. The country of origin of the goods is used to determine the amount of duty payable. This information should be provided by your supplier.
See Brexit effects – free trade agreement for information concerning possible effects of Brexit on trade under free trade agreements.
Note – The country of origin may not be the same country that you are importing from.
These are some of the key data you will need for a customs declaration. You should ensure you are familiar with the other information you will need. You will find further information in:
You may need to provide supplementary documentation to support your declaration
You may be asked to provide any of the following, depending on your type of products:
- commercial invoice
- bill of lading or airway bill
- packing list
- veterinary or plant health certificates
- licenses.
Making payments
Once you have completed your EORI customs registration you will be automatically assigned a Trader Account Number (TAN). This is a secure channel through which you can make payments, for example pay import duties. You will find further information in payment methods.
- Cash – To lodge credit to this account you must transfer funds from your bank account to Revenue’s bank account.
- Deferred – A deferred payment authorisation allows you to import goods in one month and defer payment of duties until the fifteenth of the following month.
There are additional customs simplifications and procedures available under the Union Customs Code (UCC). These can help to further minimize the potential negative impacts of Brexit and support the efficient and timely flow of trade.
Useful Resources
