Government urges action as the UK faces a new trading relationship with the EU.
Consumer Goods companies are being urged to get goingon key actions as the UK counts down to its new trading relationship with the EU after December 31.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is holding a new series of webinars throughout November to help businesses understand the important actions they need to take to be ready by the end of the transition period.
Webinars are free and take between 45-90 minutes. They will cover issues including conformity assessment, tariffs and rules of origin.
The top three actions consumer goods companies need to take to be ready for January 1, 2021 are:
- Check if Import VAT is due at the border
Businesses could face delays, disruption or administrative costs if you do not comply with new customs procedures from January 1.
Visit here to find out more about changes to VAT.
- Use GOV.UK to identify how your business can be ready to sell certain goods in the UK and EU. You may not be able to sell your goods in these regions if you do not comply with the relevant goods regulations and standards from January 1, 2021.  
Further information can be found at: 
Placing manufactured goods on the GB market from 1 January 2021  
Placing manufactured goods on the EU market from 1 January 2021  
Moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol 
- Prepare to make customs declarations
Import and export declarations are complicated, requiring specialist skill, knowledge and IT. If you are not able to make declarations or provide the wrong information, your business could face delays, disruption or administrative costs.
Find out more about appointing customs declarations specialists.
To register for upcoming webinars, or to watch previous sector-specific webinars on demand, visit
Speak with your lawyer and accountant for more information, or visit the www.gov.uk/transition checker tool for tailored business information and to sign up for email updates.
