If your business in the Republic trades with the UK or moves good through the UK, the European Commission has advised that you should:

  • Regsiter with the Revenue Commissioners.
  • Assess whether your business is ready to continue trading with or via the UK. This means having the necessary staff trained in customs paperwork, technical capacity including in your IT systems and customs authorisations if your products fall under regulated categories.
  • Enquire with the Revenue about available customs simplifications, for example transit arrangements.
  • Consider applying for authorised economic operator (AEO) status from the Revenue. This so-called 'trusted trader' badge means lighter paperwork on each shipment, but is difficult to obtain in the first place and is more suited to larger, more experienced international companies.
  • Talk to your business partners about the impact of Brexit on your supply chain.

    • The Commission has also warned of VAT implications for businesses trading in and out of the UK. It offers a series of e-learning courses businesses can follow online to familiarise themselves with customs procedures.

    UK registration

    Separately, HM Revenue and Customs has reminded UK-based businesses of the need to apply for economic operator registration and identification (EORI) before the end of March to be able to trade with the EU.

    As with most Brexit-related trading advice from the British government so far, the notice adds: "You do not need an EORI number if you’ll only import or export goods with Ireland across the Northern Ireland–Ireland land border (we will write to you again with information about the arrangements for trading with Ireland as soon as we can)."

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