Are You Ready For The Brexit Transition?

The Brexit transition period ends on January 1st 2021 but it is believed that up to 40% of businesses in Northern Ireland are totally unprepared for this transition. As it stands goods being shipped from GB to Northern Ireland are going to be facing new checks and controls from January with very little clarity from the government being given on the operational changes that will be in place.

Unsure Of What Processes Will Be Required

This is of course not just confined to Northern Ireland, as many businesses across the water are also unsure about what processes will be required to continue trading with Northern Ireland.

We can`t be surprised really that it has come to this, time is fast running out and there has still been no deal thrashed out between the UK and the EU. And both businesses and government ministers have been far too busy grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic to fully focus on the Brexit transition process.

Just to focus everyone`s minds, let us remind ourselves that from the start of next year Northern Ireland will be staying in the EU market for goods with the rest of the UK leaves. Northern Ireland will continue to apply EU customs rules at the ports which will entail checks and controls on all goods entering from various other parts of the United Kingdom. Paperwork is likely to be thoroughly checked and some of the goods being shipped will be physically inspected to ensure everything is in order.

No Further Extension To Brexit Transition Period

Prime minister Boris Johnson has time and again confirmed that there will be no further extension to the Brexit transition period but that measures had been put into operation to support businesses in Northern Ireland with further details to be announced shortly.

Ensuring They Will Be Able To Continue To Trade

So time is fast running out to be prepared for Brexit, both for businesses and the various official bodies involved. Any business that exports or imports goods to the UK mainland needs to ensure that they will be able to continue to do so without any interruption on January 1st. And they need to make costings to see what further expenditure will be required to carry on trading.

If you need any help with the above then we would be happy to be of assistance. If there is any aspect of the Brexit transition process that you are unsure of and need advice with, then please give our offices a call on 028 3752 2909.