A guide to how the border with the European Union will work after the transition period:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925140/BordersOpModel.pdf

The process for exporting goods to the EU will change. Businesses in Great Britain need to complete the following actions to continue exporting to EU countries from 1 January 2021.

Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland. Guidance on moving goods into, out of and through Northern Ireland will be added to GOV.UK in the coming weeks.

Click the link below to read the official guidelines from the UK government:

https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021

Guidance explaining changes for UK exporters to Portugal from 1 January 2021:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-to-portugal-after-eu-exit

• Make sure you have an EORI number.
• Check any extra certification or licenses.
• Understand VAT rules for GB exporter and EU importer.
• Comply with regulations in areas such as food labelling, CE marking and REACH regulations.
• If you use a Notified Body for certification, make sure that it will still be valid in the EU.
• Decide on whether you will make customs declarations yourself or use an intermediary.
• Check if any Customs Special Procedures apply and consider Transit Procedures.
• Check EU external Tariffs on your product in the event of no deal.
• Communicate with EU buyers and freight forwarders.
• Ensure that your EU importers have all the necessary information.
• Consider impacts on rest of the world trade, such as Free Trade Agreements and Rules of Origin.

Products exported to the EU will still need to conform to EU regulations and have EU certification. Certification processes differ greatly, with some goods requiring self-certification, and other goods requiring Notified Bodies to inspect the product.

Certification given by a UK Notified Body will no longer be valid in the EU after the transition. However, most UK Notified Bodies have set up European subsidiaries to ensure continuity.

If you intend to sell into the EU, check with your Notified Body and find out whether they can offer this service.

The UK government has committed to setting up its own certification marking, called ‘UKCA’. UKCA marking will likely not be necessary from the 1st of January 2021, with a grace period offered instead. However, confirming to two sets of certification will likely become a necessity if you wish to sell into the UK and EU markets.