EU Exit Advice, Guidance & Support
EU exit and the Northern Ireland Protocol
New rules have been put in place on how Northern Ireland businesses can operate from 01 January 2021.
Below is a list of key online resources that will help you better understand changes the EU Exit has created for businesses within Northern Ireland.
Advice & Support for Businesses
NIDirect.gov.uk
This site offers up to date information for businesses on the EU Exit and NI Protocol including useful links for Agriculture sector, EU Exit and NI Protocol; Financial Services, banking and consumer issues.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
The Council provides a range of assistance and support programmes to local businesses who are working to adapt to the UK’s Exit from the EU. For further details click here.
NI Business Info
NI Business Info provides a range of guidance and support for businesses to manage the changes from the EU Exit. NI Business Info is a free service offered by Invest Northern Ireland, and is the official online channel for business advice and guidance in Northern Ireland, publishing the latest news on preparing for Brexit and other business topics.
EU exit – local trade advice and support organisations
For a list of several sources of advice to help businesses in Northern Ireland adapt to changes as well as plan for any future changes, please also check this link on the NI Business Info web page.
InterTrade Ireland – Post Brexit Support and Advice
InterTrade Ireland have a dedicated Brexit support team who can provide information on funding, details of upcoming events, a tailor-made on-line learning tool and direct you to wider support and advice.
InterTrade Ireland also offers a Brexit Voucher which provides 100% financial support up to £2,000/€2,250 (inclusive of VAT) towards professional advice to help businesses to identify Brexit exposure and to plan.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
DAERA offers information and guidance to support business and individuals. Links include Moving Products of Animal Origin and Animal By-Products; Moving Fish and Fishery products; Moving Live Animals including Fish and Balai; Compliance Protocol and How to Guides and Webinars.
The Goods Vehicle Movement Service
If you’re a haulier and move goods through a port in the UK that uses the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, you’ll need to register for the service to get your goods through customs.
- For more information and to register for the Vehicle Movement Service, click here
- Check how to move goods through ports that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, here
Trader Support Service
If you are a trader or carrier that moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you can register for the Trader Support Service set up to support businesses and traders of all sizes to navigate the changes to the way goods move following the EU Exit.
The Trader Support Service:
- will help if you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or bring goods into Northern Ireland from outside the UK
- is free to use and will guide you through any changes to the way goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- can complete declarations on your behalf.
UK Trader Scheme
Apply for authorisation for the UK Trader Scheme if you bring goods into Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021: New guidance has been issued and can be accessed here. Find out how to get authorised to declare goods you bring into Northern Ireland, not ‘at risk’ of moving to the EU, so that EU duty will not be payable on those goods.
EU Exit – Environmental Health – information & advice for food and non-food businesses
Food Standards Agency
Gain a better understanding of the steps your business may need to take in preparation for the EU Exit, with detailed information provided on health marks on meat, fish and dairy products, exports of products of animal origin, businesses that seek or hold authorisation for GM food or feed or animal feed additives, or export animal feed to the EU and submitting a regulated product authorisation application after the EU Exit.
Food And Drink Labelling Changes
How food and drink producers, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers must change labels from 1 January 2021.
Guidance On Health And Identification Marks
Guidance on the health and identification marks that must be applied to products of animal origin, such as meat, egg products, fish, cheese and milk, after the end of the EU Transition Period.
If you require any further information regarding the movement of food after January 2021, Please contact the Environmental Health Department.
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
Businesses within the Agri-Food sector can get all the latest updates on EU Exit from DAERA at or call its helpline. DAERA have created a marketing standards Q&A guide which can be accessed here
Agricultural producers can find more useful advice here
Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
General Advice from Government
NI Direct
Advice on how the EU Exit might relate to Northern Ireland (NI) and people in NI with specific information on businesses and employers, transport and travel, health and social care, EU citizens, education, rights and the law, holidaying in Europe, money, benefits and pensions, agriculture and environment.
Grants
Community groups and organisations who have secured financial support from EU programmes are advised that this funding will be guaranteed by the UK government until the end of 2020.
Advice & Support for Citizens
‘Brexit and You’ leaflet
A leaflet entitled ‘Brexit and You’ was delivered to all homes in Northern Ireland.
This short guide provides practical advice on healthcare, transport and travel, consumers and the EU Settlement Scheme. It also has contact details for organisations providing help and support. View any of this guide or download the Brexit and You leaflet.
EU Citizens Living in NI
Most citizens from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in NI. The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. Further information is available at on the nidirect website.
There are separate arrangements for Irish citizens, who will continue to benefit from the Common Travel Area.
The Home Office has provided grant funding to community organisations providing EU settlement scheme support. These include:
EU Exit - Webinars Available
A range of webinars are available to help you prepare for Brexit.
The Northern Ireland Customs & Trade Academy
The Northern Ireland Customs & Trade Academy have an excellent programme of online training courses that will give you the skills and expertise you need to ensure your GB:NI trade continues to operate smoothly.
Their workshops are delivered digitally and in Virtual Classroom sessions by expert trainers. They also have a series of downloadable How-To-Guides to introduce the different processes traders will need to know post transition.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs webinars
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
A series of on demand videos on topics ranging from trade to data on post-transition rules are now available.
Businesses can select which videos to view from the list, or can choose their sector and see videos that are recommended for them. You must register for access to the videos here.
Regulations on Manufactured Goods- On Demand
HMRC customs declarations webinars:
HMRC have launched multiple editions of this live webinar covering how to complete customs import declarations and explaining how to make import declarations when importing goods.. Find a date and to register, click here.