New export and import rules

Metals and other materials companies are being urged to prepare for the UK’s new trading relationship with the EU after December 31.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) is holding a further series of webinars through November to help businesses understand the actions they need to take to be ready by the end of the transition period.

Webinars are free and, depending on the topic being covered, take between 45 and 90 minutes. They will cover issues including conformity assessment, Reach, and the UK Emissions Trading System.

According to Beis, here are the top three actions metals and other materials companies need to take to be ready for January 1 2021.

Check the new rules on importing and exporting goods between the EU and Great Britain from January 1, 2021. Your business could face delays, disruption or administrative costs if you do not comply with new customs procedures from January 1, 2021. https://bit.ly/34UImqh.

Familiarise yourself with the UK’s new trade remedies process on gov.uk. From January 1, 2021, if you think your business has been injured by unfair import practices, you can submit an application to the UK’s new trade remedies system. https://bit.ly/34SFD0w.

Use gov.uk guidance to understand trading arrangements for non-EU countries from January 1, 2021. Your business may face disruption when trading goods between the UK and the rest of the world if you are not aware of trading arrangements with non-EU countries from January 1, 2021. Check if the UK has negotiated a trade agreement with the country you will be trading with, and learn about agreements still under discussion. https://bit.ly/2HYn3Ly.

To register for upcoming webinars, or to watch previous sector-specific webinars on demand, visit bit.ly/UKTwebinar.