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
Free advice and support for Scottish businesses
Scottish Government guidance on Brexit and what it means for businesses
Brexit impact on import and export tariffs
International market research service
The Federation of Small Businesses Transition Hub is designed to help small businesses and the self-employed understand and prepare for what comes after the end of the UK/EU transition period (Brexit) later this year.
Financial support
Does your business complete customs declarations?
Apply for grants for recruitment, training and IT improvements
How will Brexit affect access to 2014-2020 funding programmes?
GOV.UK guidance
UK Government EU exit transition period guidance for businesses
EU exit transition period guidance for the voluntary and community sector
Guidance for employers
New immigration system: what you need to know
New immigration system information and support available to Scottish based SMEs'
EU Settlement Scheme: introduction for employers
Supporting EU Citizens to Stay in Scotland – a guide for employers
Scottish Government support to help EU citizens stay in Scotland
Staying in Scotland as an EEA or Swiss national
Salary thresholds for immigration - recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee
Updated note for calculating salary thresholds
Information for UK nationals living or working in the EU
Workforce planning and development
Grow your business with apprenticeships
Recruiting talent from outside the UK - support available through TalentScotland
Does your business complete customs declarations?
Apply for grants for recruitment, training and IT improvements
GOV.UK guidance
UK Government EU exit transition period guidance for businesses
Exporting and doing business abroad
Contact the Brexit imports and exports helpline
Temporary tariffs for imports to the UK
Find commodity codes for your products
Current rules for importing goods from EU countries
International trade paperwork for importers and exporters - what’s needed?
New Customs Declaration Service
Transport goods from UK by road
ECMT international road haulage permits
Guidance on becoming an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
Search for Authorised Economic Operators on the European Commission website
Advice and support for Scottish businesses
How will Brexit impact your supply chain?
Free research service to help find suppliers
Growing your business internationally
Scottish Chambers of Commerce – Trade documentation services
GOV.UK guidance
Check how to get ready for new rules in 2021
How your business operations will change under WTO rules
Look up tariffs, taxes and rules to import goods to the UK
Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods
Find out the rate of excise duty on imports
International Terms and Conditions of Service (INCOTERMS)
Exporting animals and animal products in a no-deal Brexit
Prepare to export goods from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021
Importing and exporting waste from 1 January 2021
Advice and support for Scottish businesses
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:
For more information, visit the ChamberCustoms website.
Advice and support for Scottish businesses
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)
Brexit and managing currency risk
Sources of finance for Scottish businesses
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.
EU funding
EU funded programmes under the Withdrawal Agreement
EU funded programmes, projects, ideas and expertise on the Scottish EU Funding Portal
Horizon 2020 - what is it and how to apply for funding
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding advice
Register with UKRI for updates on how to claim funding after your Horizon 2020 funding stops
GOV.UK 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.
Brexit and exhaustion of intellectual property rights
Changes to EU and international designs and trade mark protection from 1 January 2021
NIS Regulations - what UK digital service provides operating in the EU should do from 1 January 2021
Other sources of advice and funding support
Data protection and Brexit on the ICO website
Innovation and IP – support and advice
Advice on environmental regulation for businesses
Grant funding for research and development
Business accounting and mergers
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.
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.
Business auditing, accounting and reporting guidance on GOV.UK
GOV.UK updates on accounting for companies from 1 January 2021
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
Access the Department for International Trade's Market Guides which can help you find export opportunities and prepare to do business in new markets. There are over 100 guides available, searchable by country and sector. The guides contain key market information as well as high level sector opportunities available.
Access the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Economic Factsheets which summarise key economic and development data for over 180 countries and territories. They provide a snapshot of economic data under headings such as trade/investment, economic development, and government finance.
The factsheets use publicly available data from the IMF, World Bank, UNCTAD, ONS, BP, and NATO.
Download the free 'Doing Business Guides' app from the Institute of Export and International Trade today:
Got a Brexit planning question?
Get in touch for full details of how we can help your business grow in EU markets and beyond.
