On Monday 15th March, the government opened the SME’s Brexit Support Fund for applications. Businesses can now apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to pay for practical support that helps them adapt to new customs and tax rules with the European Union.
With about £20 million available, UK businesses can use the grant for training and/or professional advice:
The training grant can be used to receive training on how to complete customs declarations, how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems and any other import and export related aspects including VAT, rules of origin, licences, etc.
The grant for professional advice can be used to receive consultancy advice to enable you to meet your customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements with HMRC.
To be eligible, businesses must have been established in the UK for at least 12 months and must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU (or Northern Ireland). To find out more about the eligibility criteria, please see here.
Since we left the European Union, our International Trade team has been supporting businesses adapt to the new rules. To help you make the best use of the grant, we have created packages to allow you to access training and consultancy at best value.
To find out more about training available, please see here. Our packages can be found on our website here.
For more information on consultancy, please see here.
If you have any questions about this, please email the team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk or call 0161 393 4317.