EU exit - local trade advice and support organisations

Guide

The UK has left the EU and new rules came into force on 1 January 2021.

There are several sources of advice to help businesses in Northern Ireland adapt to these changes as well as plan for any future changes.

Invest Northern Ireland

Invest NI can signpost you to comprehensive information if you are thinking about exporting, and by exploring the export opportunities and accessing the support available, your business can go further and grow stronger.

You can also contact Invest NI using their online enquiry form.

InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland provides a range of free services to help local businesses deal with the changes now that the UK has left the EU. There is guidance to help businesses with future planning as well as highlighting upcoming events that businesses can attend to gain further insight.

Get more advice at Cross-border Trade Hub.

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

NI Chamber have a suite of tailored programmes of support to help your business grow locally and internationally.

Find out more about NI Chamber training and events

Customs

Support and advice on customs processes for moving goods between GB and NI (including transit through Ireland) is available.

The Trader Support Service should be the first port of call for customs advice for GB – NI trade. This service is free and open to all businesses.

Businesses can also seek help through the ‘Submit an enquiry’ function on the website or by calling the Trader Support Service contact centre 0800 060 8888 (07:30-22:30)

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can also be contacted on queries regarding customs between GB and NI. Support is available through submission of questions online, webchat and phone - imports and exports: general HMRC enquiries.

Regulation of manufactured goods

Detailed guidance is available on regulatory processes, such as labelling and CE marking requirements, for businesses which place goods on the market in GB, NI or the EU.

Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021.

Placing manufactured goods on the market in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

Placing manufactured goods on the EU market from 1 January 2021.

If you require further assistance with goods regulation issues, BEIS has a contact function. You can email goodsregulation@beis.gov.uk or call the Office of Product Safety and Standards on 0121 345 1201.

Chemicals

If you require further information or technical assistance or advice please contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Agri-food goods

Detailed information relating to the movement of agri-food goods, as well as links to further assistance, is available from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

For matters which are not devolved to NI, or relate to GB to NI trade, you can contact Defra.

Food Standards Agency

Health and ID marks; Labelling; Import information relating to high-risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO).

FSA general helpline number 0330 332 7149 

FSA in NI number 028 9041 7700. (Hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00)

Services

The Market Access Policy Simulator (MAPS) tool gives businesses who are exporting or importing services from the Republic of Ireland information about the potential regulatory barriers they may experience following the UK’s exit from the EU.

Data

If you require assistance with matters relating to the movement of data between the EU, including Ireland and the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has information - see Data Protection at the end of the transition period.

If you require further assistance, the ICO has a contact number 0303 123 1113 and a live chat function.

Consumer issues

ConsumerLine

You can use this service to make a complaint against a trader, report fraud or ask about your consumer rights.

Consumer Council NI

The Consumer Council can offer export advice on consumer-related EU Exit issues in relation to travel, parcels, energy and water, accessible through their website - see EU Exit: Important Consumer Advice.

Councils

If the matter relates to an issue within the scope of local district councils, please find contact details below:

District Council

Email Address

Phone Number

Antrim & Newtownabbey

envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

028 9446 3113 (Antrim)

028 9034 0000 (N’abbey)

Ards & North Down

fsaincoming@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

0300 013 3333

Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon

foodsafety@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

0300 0300 900

Belfast

environmentalhealthservice@belfastcity.gov.uk

028 9032 0202

Belfast Port Health

porthealth@belfastcity.gov.uk

 

Causeway Coast & Glens

food@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

028 7034 7034

Derry & Strabane

food@derrystrabane.com

028 7125 3253

Fermanagh & Omagh

fs@fermanaghomagh.com

0300 303 1777

Lisburn & Castlereagh

ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

028 9250 9250

Mid & East Antrim

food@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

0300 124 5000

Mid Ulster

foodsafety@midulstercouncil.org

0300 013 2132

Newry, Mourne & Down

food@nmandd.org

0300 013 2233