Transition period to finish at end of year
The government has drawn up a list of the top five things construction needs to know ahead of the UK finally leaving the EU at the beginning of next year.
The UK officially left the bloc in January this year but EU rules and regulations have remained this year as part of a 12 month transition period.
Now the business department has put together a list of actions the industry needs to check in order to get ready for 1 January 2021.
Brexit negotiations resume this week with less than seven weeks weeks to go before the end of the transition period. One of the main sticking points on a trade deal has been on the issue of EU access to British fishing waters.
Five tips for construction
1. Comply with the new immigration policies for recruiting from overseas
From January 2021, free movement with the EU will end and we will introduce a points-based system specific to the UK. EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally and will need to meet certain requirements to work in the UK. If you want to recruit workers from outside the UK from 1 January 2021, you will need to apply to be a visa sponsor.
To find out how to comply with the new system as an employer visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information
2. Check if a visa or work permit is required to travel to the EU for work purposes and apply if necessary
From January 2021, travel to the EU for work purposes may require a visa or work permit – this is regardless of if you are employed in the private, public or third sector. Depending on the nature of your work and the country you are travelling to, additional documents may also be required such as xxyyzz. For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021
3. Use GOV.UK (Check how to export goods tool) to look up information on overseas tariffs, rules and border formalities for trading your goods worldwide
From January 2021, there will be new requirements for how you export goods from the UK. Use the ‘Check How to Export Goods’ service on GOV.UK to check duties and customs procedures for exporting your goods worldwide. Use the service at: https://www.gov.uk/check-duties-customs-exporting.
4. Check if Import VAT is due at the border
From January 2021, if you import any goods from the EU into Great Britain you may need to pay Import VAT
Import VAT will not be due at the border if goods in a consignment are worth less than £135. The only exception to this is consignments containing excise goods, where Import VAT (along with Excise and Customs duties where applicable) will be due at the border. For more information go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-vat-treatment-of-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021
5. Apply due diligence to export/import timber from UK to EU to meet legal harvest requirements
From 1 January 2021, you may need to prove any timber you import or export timber between the UK and EU/EEA has been legally harvested. Due diligence checks will be required if you import timber from the EU and EEA, and documentation about the source and legality of your timber will be required for exporting timber to the EU or EEA. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trading-timber-imports-and-exports-if-theres-no-brexit-deal
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