Brexit resources and guidance
Handy links to free support and advice from partner organisations, plus a range of resources to help you prepare your business for Brexit.
Guidance from public sector and partner organisations in Scotland and the UK Government
Brexit planning toolkit for exporters
International market research service
Examples of how Scottish companies are preparing for Brexit
UK Government EU Exit guidance for businesses
EU Exit guidance for the voluntary and community sector
Europe Direct Information Centre for North Highland and Islands
Watch the Business Get Ready video for exporters:
1. Information
Data protection and Brexit on the ICO website
UK Government no-deal guidance
Regulation and standards for products and goods
Using and exchanging personal data with other organisations in Europe
Intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks and patents
Check if you need permission to sell someone's intellectual property in the EEA, if you've already sold it in the UK
You may not be able to export your intellectual property protected products from the UK to the EEA without the right permission.
Read the guidance: Brexit and exhaustion of intellectual property rights
Disclose your designs before 31 October if you want unregistered protection in the UK and EU
If you do not do this before 31 October, you’ll only have protection where you first showed your design, either the UK or the EU.
Read the guidance: Changes to registered design, design rights and international design and trade mark law if the UK leaves the EU without a deal
2. Advice and funding support
Innovation and IP – support and advice
1. Exporting after Brexit
Register for a quicker way to move your goods to the EU. Your goods may be delayed or rejected when they reach the EU if you do not register.
Read the guidance: Moving goods between or through common transit countries including the EU
UK trade agreements with non-EU countries in a no-deal Brexit
Exporting after EU exit - country by country
Step-by-step guide to exporting
Export from UK to the EU after Brexit checklist
Contact the Brexit imports and exports helpline
2. Importing after Brexit
Check what steps you need to take in order to import goods from the EU.
If you do not get your business ready, you may not be able to import goods into the UK from EU countries.
Read the guidance: Get your business ready to import from the EU to the UK after Brexit
Step-by-step guide to importing
Import from the EU to the UK after Brexit
Contact the Brexit imports and exports helpline
3. UK Government general no-deal guidance
Business supplying services to the EU
Temporary tariffs for imports to the UK
Find commodity codes for your products
Transitional Simplified Procedures for imports
International trade paperwork for importers and exporters - what’s needed?
New Customs Documentation Service (replacing CHIEF in March 2019)
Guidance on becoming an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
Search on information on Authorised Economic Operators
4. Advice and funding support
Up to £4k grant to help you manage a wide range of Brexit impacts
Grants for customs documentation recruitment, training and IT improvements
Free research service to help find suppliers
Growing your business internationally
Export advisory service for businesses in the Highlands and Islands
Scottish Chambers of Commerce – Trade documentation services
5. Guidance for hauliers
Transport goods from UK by road
Haulier pocket guide to no-deal Brexit
Watch the Business Get Ready video for hauliers:
Takes up to one week.
You'll need to pay your import duties as soon as your goods pass through customs if you do not have a 'duty deferment account'.
Read the guidance: Customs procedures if the UK leaves the EU without a deal - Deferring Duty
Scottish Enterprise is working with the eight Chambers of Commerce in Scotland who are licensed by HM Government and HMRC to issue export and import-related documentation and services. Providing expert advice and support, they can answer your questions on export and customs documentation, changes to documentation systems and associated process changes brought about by Brexit.
This service is available to all companies, not just members of the Chambers. To access this support, just call your nearest Chamber. The eight licensed Chambers are:
Brexit and managing currency risk
Finance options for your business
Financial readiness business guides
Checking your suitability for funding
Funding to export products and services (export or trade finance
Scottish Growth Scheme - microfinance, debt and equity finance options
Business Loans Scotland (BLS) offers business loans from £25,000 to £100,000 and aims to ensure that good, commercially viable proposals do not fail from a lack of access to finance. As a match funder, BLS will fill funding gaps by typically providing up to 50% of the total finance required, up to a maximum of £100,000.
Get legal advice if your business is merging with an EU company.
If you do not follow the rules, you may be investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Commission.
Read the guidance: Merger review and anti-competitive activity after Brexit
Check if you need to change how you do accounting and reporting.
You may breach reporting requirements in EEA countries if you do not make any changes you need to.
Read the guidance: Accounting if there's a no-deal Brexit
How will Brexit affect access to European Funding Programmes?
Find EU funded programmes, projects, ideas and expertise
If you do not register, your Horizon 2020 funding will stop and you will not be able to receive funding from the UK government.
Read the guidance: Horizon 2020 funding after Brexit before 31 October.
Bite-size guidance from the Institute of Export and International Trade on some of the more technical issues likely to impact Scottish businesses after Brexit
REACH regulations and your business
Any business which uses, supplies or manufactures chemicals will need to comply with REACH regulations after Brexit for 'substances of very high concern'.
Read more in our Brexit factsheet
Placing goods on the EU and UK market
Businesses must comply with new regulations on conformity assessments. This applies when selling goods in both the EU and the UK.
Read more in our Brexit factsheet
Regulation on medicines, medical devices and clinical trials
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK’s participation in EMRN (European Medicines Regulatory Network) would cease. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) would take on the functions currently undertaken by the EU for human medicines for the UK.
Read more in our Brexit factsheet
Wood packaging, ISPM 15 compliance and Brexit
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK businesses will need to comply with ISPM 15 regulations on wood packaging imports to the EU. Check your packing company and suppliers are compliant.
The Institute of Export & International Trade provides a series of free downloadable 'Doing Business Guides' on key EU and international markets. Each is packed with expert advice and insight on the best opportunities and how to approach that market, along with useful contacts for additional help and support.
Access the 'Doing Business Guide' directory
Download their free 'Doing Business Guides' app today:
Christene Leiper, managing director of Dundee-based Onorach Ltd is using the Brexit Support Grant to gather insight on how Brexit will impact employing EU citizens.
"We have used the Brexit Support Grant for consultancy fees. Having knowledge of the effect of employing EU citizens has helped us mitigate uncertainties and allow us to progress forward."
Peter Sunderland, director of Glasgow-based Instrmnt Ltd is using the Brexit Support Grant to help with research and planning to ensure the company's continued success, both in the UK and internationally.
"We have been able to employ an intern to specifically help us negotiate uncertainties, making thorough preparations for the impact of Brexit."
Got a Brexit planning question?
Get in touch for full details of how we can help your business grow in EU markets and beyond.
