An update regarding Brexit and what it means for us

Brexit

• In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, will you be able to deliver goods into mainland Europe, Ireland & Northern Ireland?

  Yes. We already have the relevant EORI number to allow goods to travel between the UK and EU (GB884251017000). 

• Who will make your EU Customs Declarations?

  Our international freight forwarders (TFS and Dachser) will undertake this on our behalf. They are both fully prepared to deal with a return to full Export and Import Customs formalities for shipments to the EU, should the UK exit the EU and Customs Union without a deal. 

• On what Incoterms will you ship your Goods to the EU?

  Our goods will be shipped to the EU on a DDP basis i.e. Delivered Duty Paid, meaning that the costs of all customs formalities and tariffs will be included within our product price. 

• Are you able to supply Commodity Codes and other key data for your product range?

  Yes, we will make this data available for download from our Trade website(s). 

• If there is a ‘no deal’ Brexit, will your deliveries be delayed?

  This is a fast changing situation. As a consequence of the surge in demand for hard goods in the second half of 2020, UK stock across many sectors is already tight and there is currently significant turmoil within the global logistics industry. Container space is becoming very scarce and port congestion more common. Looking ahead, our carriers advise that capacity is unlikely to improve until after Chinese New Year. A ‘no deal’ Brexit would potentially only add to the existing congestion and equipment shortages, so we predict that the delivery situation will remain volatile until well into 2021. 

• Will your prices increase as a result of a ‘no deal’ Brexit?

  At this stage, we just don’t have the information required to give a definitive answer to this question. Product prices comprise multiple factors and whilst it is true to say that the costs of dealing with the EU would undeniably rise in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, it’s also the case that we would seek to moderate, absorb and offset price increases on behalf of our customers, as far as possible. 

  If we find ourselves in a position where we need to pass on additional costs after all mitigating actions have been taken, we will of course adhere to agreed price change notice periods. 

• From the end of the ‘Implementation Period’ (1st January 2021), will your products be compliant with EU standards?

  Yes. Products can continue to be placed on the EU market by virtue of the CE mark and ‘Conformity Assessment’ (demonstrating compliance with EU standards). Our Product conformity certification will be transferred to an EU notified body prior to the end of the implementation period. 

  Product rating labels will need to be marked with an EU-based authorised representative, but the deadline for this is not until the end of 2021. 

  It is currently unclear about the extent to which future compliance and safety standards could diverge between the UK and EU, but it must be hoped that the systems remain as closely aligned as possible.