The UK has now left the EU and a post-Brexit Trade Agreement was finally reached in late December.
The European Commission has published a summary of the agreement, which can be accessed here.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK includes zero tariff and zero quota trades on goods of UK and EU origin as follows:
- The UK Border Operating Model sets out a phased approach to the additional checks and paperwork needed to trade goods with the EU.
- Importers and exporters will need to demonstrate where their goods originated and should read the detailed guidance on Rules of Origin.
- With a few exceptions, products will have to undergo two sets of conformity assessments if placed on both the UK and EU markets; however, CE marking will continue to be accepted in the UK until the end of 2021.
The Government has provided step by step information for those who import goods within the EU, those who import goods from outside the EU, and those who bring goods through Northern Ireland. The new points immigration system came into force on 1 January 2021, meaning that businesses recruiting from outside the UK will need to obtain a sponsor licence, and all workers from overseas require a visa.