If the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 without a deal, UK firms and service providers will face additional steps or potentially even barriers to trade. 

Find out below how to comply with both local and EU/EEA-wide rules in the following areas:

• Cross-border trade
• Establishing and structuring your business
• Business travel and visa requirements
• Recognition of UK professional qualifications
• Data protection

Providing services to EEA and EFTA countries after EU Exit

EU countries

Austria: providing services after EU Exit

Belgium: providing services after EU Exit

Bulgaria: providing services after EU Exit

Croatia: providing services after EU Exit

Cyprus: providing services after EU Exit

Czech Republic: providing services after EU Exit

Denmark: providing services after EU Exit

Estonia: providing services after EU Exit

Finland: providing services after EU Exit

France: providing services after EU Exit

Germany: providing services after EU Exit

Greece: providing services after EU Exit

Hungary: providing services after EU Exit

Ireland: providing services after EU Exit

Italy: providing services after EU Exit

Latvia: providing services after EU Exit

Lithuania: providing services after EU Exit

Luxembourg: providing services after EU Exit

Malta: providing services after EU Exit

The Netherlands: providing services after EU Exit

Poland: providing services after EU Exit

Portugal: providing services after EU Exit

Romania: providing services after EU Exit

Slovakia: providing services after EU Exit

Slovenia: providing services after EU Exit

Spain: providing services after EU Exit

Sweden: providing services after EU Exit

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This allows them to be part of EU's single market.

Iceland: providing services after EU Exit

Liechtenstein: providing services after EU Exit

Norway: providing services after EU Exit

Switzerland is neither an EU nor EEA member but is part of the single market - meaning Swiss nationals have the same rights to live and work in the UK as other EEA nationals.

Switzerland: providing services after EU Exit

The chemicals sector and preparing for EU exit

Chemical Industries Association

Health and Safety Executive – REACH and other regulations

The construction sector and preparing for EU exit

What to expect on day one of a no-deal scenario?

Scotland IS – The potential implications of Brexit

Scotland IS – The proposed Brexit withdrawal deal

The electricity sector and preparing for EU exit

Gas markets and preparing for EU exit

Oil and gas production and preparing for EU exit

The nuclear sector and preparing for EU exit

Energy UK

Renewable UK

Oil and Gas UK

Oil and gas - UK Government technical notices

Financial Conduct Authority

The financial and business services sector and preparing for EU exit

Banking, insurance and other financial services if there's no Brexit deal

No-deal Brexit - Five essential steps to trade with the EU

1. Get an EORI number 

• A UK issued Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number is essential for UK businesses that wish to import or export goods with the EU after the UK leaves the EU 
• Apply for an EORI number and you should receive it within 2-3 working days 
• Once you have an EORI number, if you are importing products from the EU, register to use Transitional Simplified Procedures to avoid making full customs declarations for imports at borders and to postpone paying import duties

2. Check your commodity/tariff codes 

• Exporters should plan on the basis that WTO tariffs will be introduced following no-deal.  However, temporary tariffs will be introduced for imports for 12 months following no-deal.
• First, use the UK Trade Tariff tool to find the commodity codes for your goods. Using the wrong codes for your products in customs declarations risk paying the wrong tariff, costly delays at the border or even goods being blocked into the EU.
• Find the WTO tariff for exports. Choose a country from the drop-down list that is currently subject to WTO tariffs (eg Afghanistan) - the UK will not appear on this list until after Brexit.
• View the temporary rates of customs duty on imports after EU Exit. This allows you to find out whether a preferential tariff rate, MFN tariff rate or tariff quota rate applies by searching for the good using the commodity code. HMRC can advise if further help in needed.

3. Know what certificates your products need 

• To ensure your product can enter the EU, it will need to be able to pass EU regulatory checks for third country goods. Products of animal origin will be subject to additional requirements. 
• Products of animal origin will need an Export Health Certificate and must enter the EU via Border Inspection Post (BIP)
• Most fish products will need a catch certificate 
• Some plants and plant products may also require a Phytosanitary Certificate

4. Check your product labelling 

• Exported products must be labelled correctly to reflect the UK’s third country status. UK products can no longer use ‘EU’ in country of origin labelling while products marketed as organic may face EU export restrictions until the UK becomes an approved third country. 
• An EU importer/Food Business Operator address will be required on product labels and products of animal origin must include the new UK health and ID mark

5. Decide if you will use a customs agent 

• Most businesses use a customs broker, agent, or freight forwarder to make customs declarations for them. This can make exporting simpler and faster. 
• Alternatively, you can make declarations yourself by obtaining approved software

Download the Five Essential Steps to Trade with the EU (PDF, 500KB)

Other food and drink resources

The food and drink sector and preparing for EU exit

The farming sector and preparing for EU exit

The fisheries sector and preparing for EU exit

Exporting animals, animal products, fish and fishery products to the EU after EU exit

Scotch Whisky Association

Seafish

Food & Drink Federation Scotland

Dairy UK

Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board

Food Standards Scotland

NFU Scotland

The consumer goods sector and preparing for EU exit

The space sector and preparing for EU exit

The electronics, machinery and parts sector and preparing for EU exit

ADS (Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries)

The aerospace sector and preparing for EU exit 

The automotive sector and preparing for EU exit

Steel and other metal manufacturing and preparing for EU exit

Non-metal manufacturing and preparing for EU exit

UK Government EU Exit guidance for the life sciences sector

Regulating medical devices in the event of a no-deal scenario

Regulation of medicines, medical devices and clinical trials if there's no Brexit deal

Life Sciences Scotland

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

Scottish Life Sciences Association

UK BioIndustry Association

UK Fashion and Textiles Association