On the 11th February 2021, the UK Government announced a new support package to help small and medium sized businesses. This support package is called the SME BREXIT Support Fund and will allow businesses who meet the criteria to apply for up to £2,000 in grants, to be spent on training and professional guidance related to customs declarations.  
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‍What can the grant be used on:

‍Whilst a third party appointed by the UK Government will be responsible for administering the grant, you will be eligible to apply for the grant if you wish to use the funding against one or more of the following activities:

·      Training on how to complete customs declarations
·      Training on how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
·      Training on specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin
·      Professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements 
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‍Who will be able to apply:

‍To apply for the grant, your business must meet the following criteria:
·      Be established in the UK
·      Have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or currently hold Authorised Economic status (AEO)
·      Not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations
·      Have no more than 500 employees
·      Have no more than £100 million turnover
·      Import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland 

Your business must also either:
·      Complete (or intend to complete) import or export declarations internally for its own goods
·      Use someone else to complete import or export declarations but require additional capability internally to effectively import or export (such as advice on rules of origin or advice on dealing with a supply chain) 



‍How you can apply:

‍To check the availability and opening date for the grant, please visit the UK Government’s website. Alternatively, speak to your usual BKR contact person or email enquiries@bkrconsultants.com for further guidance.