Due to Brexit, the UK has left the Single Market & Customs Union and new rules now apply.

Traders and hauliers must take the steps outlined in the Border Operating Model: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model

The UK Government is implementing full border controls on moving goods between GB and the EU. The introduction of these border controls is to be made in three stages, from 1 January 2021, from 1 January 2022 and from 1 July 2022 onwards.

Detailed guidance on how border controls will work is available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925140/BordersOpModel.pdf

The process for exporting goods to the EU has changed.

Businesses in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) need to follow official guidelines to continue exporting to the EU from 1 January 2021: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021

Please check if you need customs clearance from UK border: https://www.gov.uk/export-customs-declaration

Guidance on moving goods into, out of and through Northern Ireland is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/moving-goods-into-out-of-or-through-northern-ireland

If you require help to trade into or out of Northern Ireland, the free Trader Support Service can guide you through the process.

Guidance explaining changes for UK exporters to Portugal from 1 January 2021: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-to-portugal-after-eu-exit

UK Department for International Trade information and exporting guide to Portugal: https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/portugal/

• 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.

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2023 in most cases.

Some CE marked that meet EU requirements (where these match UK requirements) can continue to be placed on the GB market until 1 January 2023 where EU and UK requirements remain the same. This includes goods which have been assessed by an EU recognised notified body: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain – the link also includes relevant UK and EU legislation.

The UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Products need a CE marking for sale in the EU: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ce-marking

However, confirming to two sets of certification will likely become a necessity if you wish to sell into the UK and EU markets.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking and https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/ce-marking_en

HMRC will be closing its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system on 31‌‌‌ ‌March‌‌‌ ‌2023. It will be replaced by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). CDS will serve as the UK’s single customs platform for all declarations and all goods will need to be declared through CDS from this date.

Currently, export declarations for goods moving out of Great Britain are made on the National Export System (NES), which is linked to CHIEF.

In the future, all export declarations will be made using CDS.