The consumer goods sector and preparing for EU Exit
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there may be changes that affect your business.
Your business may need to make changes before the UK leaves the EU. Please visit Prepare for EU Exit to find more detailed guidance on policy changes relevant to your sector and to sign up for updates.
Importing and exporting
Preparing for disruption to trade at the UK-EU border
- Get a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI)number so you can continue to import or export goods and apply for authorisations that will make customs processes easier for you.
- Decide if you want to hire an import-export agent, or make the declarations yourself.
- Contact the organisation that moves your goods (for example, a haulage firm) to find out what information they need to make the declarations for your goods, or if you will need to make them yourself.
Read the guidance on simplified customs procedures for trading with the EU if we leave without a deal.
Further information is provided in HMRC’s advice for businesses trading with the EU.
Preparing for changes to existing trade agreements
Check the way you currently trade with non-EU countries. When the UK leaves the EU the way you access existing favourable arrangements with these countries may change. Changes may be different for each country.
Read the guidance on changes to trading with non-EU countries that have a free trade agreement with the EU.
Your employees
Employing EU workers
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EU citizens who are resident in the UK before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status, which will mean they can continue to live, work and study in the UK.
The scheme will be open to applications from 30 March 2019 but EU workers must apply by 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
You can use the EU Settlement Scheme guidance for employers to give further information to your employees.
Applying for skilled-work or unskilled-work visas
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be a new process for EU citizens arriving in the UK between 30 March 2019 to 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021, a new skills-based immigration system will launch.
For non-EU nationals, EU Exit will not affect the application process for work visas.
Travelling to the EU
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to have 6 months remaining validity on your passport, not including any extra months added to a 10-year passport if it was renewed early.
Read guidance about travelling to the EU with a UK passport if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and check your passport to see if you need to renew earlier than planned.
Regulations and standards
Recognising harmonised goods
After the UK leaves the EU the results of conformity assessment carried out by UK conformity assessment bodies will no longer be recognised in the EU.
This means you must get your products assessed and marked by an EU recognised conformity assessment body if you want to sell them in the EU. You could also arrange for assessments to be transferred to an EU-recognised body before the UK leaves the EU.
You will still be able to use CE marking based on self-declaration of conformity, whether you are selling in the UK or exporting to the EU.
Read the guidance on trading goods regulated under the ‘new approach’ and trading goods under the mutual recognition principle.
Trade associations
UK Fashion & Textiles Association
British Footwear Association
British Furniture Confederation
UK Leather Federation
National Association of Jewellers
British Toy and Hobby Association
Federation of Sports and Play Associations and the Music Industries Association