A Maker's Guide to the EU Exit (Brexit) 2021

General 

The UK Government have created an information hub dedicated to the UK Transition out of the EU.  

This includes a short survey to receive a personalised list of actions for you and your business. Visit gov.uk/transition. 

The creative sector 

The Scottish Government has created a dedicated resource hub for the Creative Sector. 

This includes information on employing European citizens after Brexit, for both short-term and long-term employment, salaried and freelance positions. It also offers guidance on how Brexit will impact business travel, accessing funding, broadcasting, new customs rules, data protection and intellectual property.  

Products & services to EU customers 

The UK Government Department for International Trade has created a collection page for businesses preparing to export and import from 1 January 2021.  

This includes information on the UK Global Tariff, current trade agreements, information on exporting to and from the EU or non-EU countries, as well as information on import controls and customs.  

The Department for Internation Trade has also launched a new tariff look-up tool to enable traders to easily find the future tariffs that will apply from 1 January 2021. You can also find out which commodity code to classify your goods and look up duty rates, reliefs and quotas. Visit gov.uk to access these tools.  

To check if the UK has negotiated a trade agreement with the country you trade with – before or after January 2021 - visit gov.uk/brexit  

Some trade agreements are not due to be fully in effect from 1 January 2021. With some negotiations more time is needed before a mutually beneficial trade agreement can be reached. Where this is the case, the UK Government has put in place the UK Global Tariff for imports, trade with other World Trade Organisation (WTO) members will take place on WTO terms, and trade with eligible developing countries will take place under the UK’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). 

From January 2021, traders will need an export licence issued by the UK to export dual-use items from Great Britain to the EU or Channel Islands. Read the guidance for exporting controlled goods from 1 January 2021  

You can register now for an Open General Export Licence through SPIRE, the online export licensing system. 

The Department for International Trade has also made available a range of other resources regarding changes to trade after Brexit:  

• Watch a webinar to learn more about how to ensure your business is ready for 1 January 2021. 

• Read the online guidance on exporting goods to the EU and importing goods from the EU from 1 January 2021. 

• Read the online guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.     

• Read the online guidance about importing goods from and exporting goods to countries outside of the EU. 

• Check you’re ready to comply with data sharing and protection rules.  

If you have any questions about preparing for the end of the transition period and you can’t find answers at GOV.UK/transition, fill out the enquiry form to get in touch directly with one of the Department for International Trade experts.  

Selling/Showcasing in and out of the EU 

The UK Government has published guidance on planning business travel to the EU after Brexit, and you can access regularly updated travel advice for each country, and you can sign-up for email updates for specific countries. The Trader Support Service describes the new regulations between UK and Northern Ireland. 

New rules will apply to carry goods outside of the UK temporarily. If you are planning to travel for a trade show or carry samples abroad, you can now check that you have the required documentation to take goods into the EU. Visit gov.uk for a list of customs agents and transporters, and advice on appointing agents. 

Shipping in and out of the EU

Royal Mail have published a Brexit information hub on their website to help you stay up to date with the latest changes and requirements with sending items abroad and to the EU.  

Data transfer and GDPR 

The EU Exit will affect how organisations and businesses are required to handle data.  

The Information Commissioner's Office has provided guidance on how to handle the data changes. 

They advise that your business take stock of the personal data you hold prior to January 2021, as well as map your data flows if you receive data from the EU and put in place alternative transfer mechanisms with any relevant EU organisations. You can also put in place safeguards by incorporating standard contractual clauses.  

Visit the ICO’s EU Transition information hub for more guidance on data protection for large businesses and organisations, and SME. They have also made their webinar “Keep data flowing at the end of the UK transition out of the EU” available to watch and download.  

The UK Government has published guidance on using personal data in your business or other organisations after the transition period.

Living and working in the UK 

EU Citizens who have been living in the UK before 31 December 2020 can apply to the Settlement Scheme until 30 June 2021 to continue living in the UK after this date. You can continue to live and work in the UK if you have been granted a Settled or Pre-Settled Status.  

You can find out more about the Settlement Scheme at gov.uk/brexit. If you are unsure if you need to apply, you can take a quick survey on the UK Government website to be redirected to the correct service.  

If you are an employer, you will need to check your employees right to work in the UK after Brexit. If you are currently employing EU Citizens or are looking to hire citizens from the EU/EEA after Brexit, you can access the UK Government’s toolkit for employers  

Additional links 

• ​Creative Scotland: Brexit resources
• Crafts Council: How to make changes to your craft business as UK leaves EU 
• Moneycorp & Elizabeth Anderson: Beyond Brexit whitepaper 
• Financial Conduct Authority: Brexit information hub 
• Royal Bank of Scotland: Brexit Key Information for Business  
• UKFT (members only): UKFT’s Brexit toolkit