Ten things a business needs to do before Brexit day

If a company is looking to survive Brexit, and maybe even take advantage of it, then these are the ten things it needs to make sure it gets done before Brexit day.

[edit] Gauge the exposure of the business

Though many UK companies trade across the UK-EU border, the importance of this trade varies from company to company. Knowing the extent of a company’s exposure and planning accordingly is the key to survival.

[edit] Build up a customs infrastructure

All British companies that trade across the UK-EU border will need to fill in customs declarations for their goods and the EU will require eight copies of these. The UK may also require many copies. Companies must ensure they have the staff and capacity to fulfil these requirements.

[edit] Protecting the company’s intellectual property

Even smaller firms often have trademarks, registered designs, patents and copyrighted material. However, it is not yet clear if this will remain protected in the UK after Brexit. Until the UK government has created a new intellectual system in the UK, some patents could lapse.

[edit] Ensure the company’s trading partners are ready

Ensuring a company is ready for Brexit might not be enough to avoid disruption. To be truly Brexit-proof, companies must ensure that their suppliers are also prepared.

[edit] Clarify the workforce’s immigration status

Though it is the British government’s position that the rights of all EU nationals residing legally in the UK are guaranteed, employers must still be aware of the immigration status of all their staff to ensure they are employing in compliance with the law.

[edit] Prepare for a deal or no-deal scenario

There may be some disruption at Britain’s ports, airports and land borders. Therefore, companies must investigate the likely and unique impact on their business whether the government’s Brexit deal is passed or not.

[edit] Know about VAT payments

UK companies have not had to pay VAT for intra-EU trade over the last 40 years as they have been exempt due to EU-wide agreements. Therefore, companies must ensure they know which products they will have to pay VAT on and that they have the cash-flow to do so.

[edit] Get trusted trader status

Trusted trader status is used to ease the passage of goods into the EU from non-member nations by allowing them faster passage across borders, if a company’s standards are compliant in both areas. Immediately after Brexit, this should be easy for UK companies to obtain but should UK standards diverge from those of the EU, this may prove to be only a temporary fix.

[edit] Decide if a free-trade agreement is desirable

If a free-trade agreement is negotiated, UK-based companies will have to decide if they wish to use it. As there will be substantial administrative and bureaucratic burdens to prove their products are sufficiently British to qualify for reduced tariffs, the financial gain maybe insufficient to justify the time spent in qualifying for it.

[edit] Review and possibly renegotiate international contracts

Many intra-EU contracts will not include incoterms, the legal provisions that set out who is responsible for shipping goods across borders when importing and exporting (in other words who is required to pay VAT). This means companies must be ready to renegotiate these contracts.

Preparation holds the key to surviving and thriving in Brexit Britain. Brexit may cause significant disruption, but it could also provide a substantial opportunity to those companies ready to survive any immediate disruption and exploit the opportunities that present themselves in a post-Brexit UK.

Download the full Surviving Brexit for Trades Businesses checklist

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Architects' Brexit statement.
• Brexit and UK research into cultural heritage.
• Brexit - the case for infrastructure.
• Brexit Topic Guide.
• BSRIA Brexit survey 2018.
• BSRIA Brexit white paper.
• BSRIA response to Brexit speech.
• BSRIA response to Brexit white paper.
• Building to higher standards post-Brexit.
• Compensation events and Brexit.
• Construction industry Brexit manifesto.
• Construction Products Regulation if there is no Brexit deal.
• Heritage and Brexit.
• HVAC and smart energy post-Brexit.
• Overcoming the challenges of Brexit.
• Post brexit, house building and construction remains a safe sustainable industry.
• Post-Brexit vision for construction.
• Safeguarding infrastructure post-Brexit.
• Skills shortage and Brexit.
• The commercial implications of Brexit.
• What does Brexit mean for construction?
• Will Brexit shake UK construction?

--SteelScout