Businesses that trade with the European Union are being urged to make sure they have the right documentation in place to avoid extra costs and delays after Brexit.
The 海角视频鈥檚 transition period with the EU ends on January 1 and after that date 海角视频 companies will need to complete customs declaration forms to export and import goods from the bloc - even if the 海角视频 secures a deal.
Businesses will also need an EORI number to move goods between the 海角视频 and the EU. If companies do not have an EORI they may also face increased costs and delays.
South West-based chambers of commerce Business West said it was 鈥渋mperative鈥 businesses "acted now" to sort out customs declarations, which will be required from 2021 regardless of any agreement.
The business organisation warned the number of customs declarations which companies need to complete is predicted to rise from 55 million to a huge 255 million.
Catherine Stephens, head of international trade services at Business West, said: 鈥淭here is still time to act. The worry is companies are leaving this, but even if the 海角视频 secures a deal with the EU businesses will still need to complete customs declaration forms.
鈥淲hile Business West still has capacity to help companies who are importing or exporting to the EU after Brexit, firms must act quickly to avoid a situation where brokers or agents do not have the resources to take on more businesses.鈥
Ms Stephens said it was 鈥渆specially important鈥 for companies that had previously only traded with the EU to prepare for the changes.
鈥淔illing in customs declarations will be new to these businesses, and it can be a complicated process and very time consuming," she said.
鈥淲e strongly advise that companies get in contact with a trained broker, like Business West, without delay. The quicker businesses act, the better.鈥
'It is for firms that have only traded with the EU the shock will come'
James Monk, commercial director at Business West, added: 鈥淚f companies are trading on a global basis they will know about certificates of origin; it is for firms that have only traded with the EU the shock will come.
鈥淭he challenge is the huge number of businesses that will need to complete customs declaration forms when there are only a finite number of people available to help.
鈥淲e have specialist staff who can assist businesses with the completion of these forms, but we are filling up every day. Businesses need to get this in play now. It is one of the few things you can actually do to get prepared.鈥
Business West will be delivering training for companies to highlight what firms need to know to complete them correctly.
Companies can also register their interest for ChamberCustoms - a service for importers and exporters which will ensure that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids costs through delays or errors.
Business West has put together guides for both and on how to get prepared for changes to trading rules on January 1, 2021, to try and make the transition to the New Year as smooth as possible.
Customs declarations will be needed when trading with any country outside of the 海角视频. For more information visit
