Small and medium sized businesses that trade with the EU are now able to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to the new post-Brexit customs and tax rules.
To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The grants have been introduced to help small businesses navigate the new, unfamiliar paperwork and costs involved when buying from or selling to Europe.
What you can use the grant for
You can use the grant for training on:
- how to complete customs declarations
- how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
- specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin
It can be used to help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.
Eligibility criteria
Your business must:
- 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 Operator status
- 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 requires additional capability internally to effectively import or export (such as advice on rules of origin or advice on dealing with a supply chain)
How to apply
Applications opened on 15 March 2021 and will close on 30 June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated before this date. Applications should be made online at
https://www.customsintermediarygrant.co.uk/sme-brexit-support-fund
For more information visit
gov.uk