Brexit will cause a fundamental change in the way the UK trades
with the EU. The guide is intended to provide practical advice to
assist businesses to start to prepare for this change.
At the time of writing, the three most likely Brexit outcomes
are:
- a 'no deal' scenario;
- a facilitated customs arrangement
(the so-called 'Chequers deal'); or
- a negotiated free trade agreement
between the UK and the EU.
A mooted and credible further alternative would be
'parking' the UK in the European Economic Area (EEA) for a
number of years while a longer term bespoke arrangement is put in
place.
This guide is drafted on the basis that the UK will be leaving
the EU Customs Union, in line with the UK Government's current
negotiating positon. Currently this will take place as of 1 April
2019 in the event of a 'no deal' and as of 1 January 2021
in the event of a negotiated withdrawal by the UK.