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Brexit - The Urgent Need To Be Prepared

Getting Your Business Brexit ready

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As we all know, Brexit will formally exit the European Union on 31st December 2020, and it is vital for Irish businesses to prepare for the changes ahead.

The Department of Enterprise has released a Brexit readiness checklist which we recommend consulting in full to ensure that your business is prepared, and to contact your Local Enterprise Office for information and assistance. We have compiled the main points to consider here.

 

Supply Chain:

If your business trades with Britain, you will need to take steps to reduce the impact of Brexit on your business and your supply chain.

  • Contact your suppliers and logistics carriers in Britain.
  • Look into the charges that may apply to you when your product reaches Britain, even as a stop-off.
  • Discuss with your Local Enterprise Office.
  • Look into the Brexit Loan Scheme to assist with cashflow.

 

Customs:

Following Brexit, you will likely be required to comply with new customs obligations. New declarations for both import and export will be necessary. There are a number of steps which can be taken in advance to limit the impact of this change on your business.

  • Obtain an EORI number if you have not already – This can be obtained via the Revenue website and will be essential for trade with Britain going forward.
  • Decide if you wish to hire an outside customs officer or process customs in-house.
  • It may be necessary to VAT register in the UK.
  • Ensure that you have a ‘Customs Guarantee’ in place. Authorisation for this may be required from Revenue, and this may provide some security against unforeseen costs.
  • Check with your Local Enterprise Office if they provide customs workshops.

 

Duty:

Beginning January 1st, Customs Duty will apply to the import of some goods from Britain. Here are some steps you can take now to prepare.

  • Classify your goods into the appropriate categories.
  • Identify the cost implications customs duty may have on your products.
  • Apply to Revenue for a VAT and Duty deferment, which allows you to defer payment to the 15th of the month.
  • Review contracts with your suppliers and logistics carriers.
  • Assess your accounts department for readiness to deal with these changes and adapt as needed.

 

Certification: 

There may be new certifications and licenses required for trade with the United Kingdom going forward, and it will be important to ensure that you are compliant with EU rules for trade outside of the union. The below are some steps that can be taken to mitigate these issues.

  • Check whether your current licenses and certifications will be valid after the transition period.
  • Check that your product meets all required guidelines for export outside of the EU.

 

Currency Movement:

Since the result of the Brexit vote, Sterling has been somewhat volatile and is expected to remain so for some time, it is important to consider the impact of this weakened currency on your business.

We recommend consulting with the Revenue website and your Local Enterprise Office for information on further steps that can be taken to ensure that your business is Brexit ready. Let’s get all businesses prepared for Brexit and do what we can to start 2021 off on a good foot.

As always, we are available and happy to help should you require any further information or guidance on any business or financial matters.

 

 

Finance options in wake of Brexit

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Here at EcovisDCA our focus is always firmly on making life and business simpler for our clients and friends. We want you and your business to be a success just as you do and that all important work: life balance can sometimes only be achieved through the acceptance of a helping hand when in need. We have often spoken about funding options and opportunities available in order to either get your business off the ground or plan for an expansion and today we will be discussing a financing option with a twist: Growcap Finance.

Brexit is a word that has faded away into the middle distance somewhat in recent months after the term exploded into our general usage not too long ago. With Britain’s planned exit from the European Union still very much on the cards there is still some cause for concern for Irish businesses who may rely on foreign export or have had dealings with the UK. When engaging in global trade, one of the downsides for many business is the inevitable dealings with customs and VAT. Whilst many people sourcing goods may now look as far afield as China due to a newly improved quality of product, and lower pricing, there is always the issue of customs and VAT obligations when dealing outside the EU. It remains to be seen if Ireland will now face these issues in the future when dealing with goods from the UK once it is outside of the EU.

As a business owner it is your responsibility to ensure that any goods you have sourced from outside of the European Union get safely through the customs process and that the appropriate VAT is paid in full on entry. This can be quite a time consuming and painful process for business owners who have other issues to contend with as well as being an additional drain on vital cash flow to the business as VAT can add an extra 20 to 23% on to your existing payment. This is an issue especially for SMEs who may rely heavily on every penny of working capital available to them.

This is where Growcap Finance come in and can be of benefit to many businesses. Growcap Finance can assist you in funding your products sourced outside of the European Union, taking that additional headache away from you and freeing up some capital for your business. At present, Growcap can fund everything from the purchase price of the product to the logistics and VAT, while also ensuring that the product lives up to expectations before issuing payment. This may be an excellent option for businesses feeling the stress and headaches of dealing with VAT payments and shipments from outside the EU. It may also be a viable course of action in the event of a sudden Brexit.

Should you require any help, advice or guidance on any financial or business matters, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at EcovisDCA, where we will be happy to support you in getting your business to the next level.

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~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY