UKFT Brexit Guidance for the UK fashion and textile industry

On 31 January 2020, the UK officially ceased to be a member of the European Union.

From that point our relationship with the EU will operate under a temporary arrangement called the Implementation Period. The Implementation Period will last until 11.00pm on 31st December 2020.

During the Implementation Period, although we will no longer be a member of the EU, all trading arrangements will remain as if we were a member. Therefore, there will be no tariffs on trade with the EU, samples will be able to move freely and there will be no additional customs procedures.

During the Implementation Period all travel, business and healthcare arrangements between the EU and the UK are also due to operate as if we were still a member of the EU.

However, it is possible that you may experience some difficulties when trading with the EU during the Implementation Period. Therefore, UKFT’s advice is to allow extra time for shipping goods and be prepared to face some delays at customs. Trade between Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland should also remain unaffected during the Implementation Period.

If you do experience any difficulties, please let UKFT know so that we can raise the issue with both the UK and EU authorities.

During the Implementation Period the UK will start discussions with the EU on a new trade deal. UKFT will maintain a very close dialogue with the government throughout the year as the negotiations on a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and the EU begin in earnest.

With the election of the new Government, it is clear that any FTA with the EU is unlikely to be based on close regulatory alignment and, therefore, UKFT will be demanding the best possible deal for the fashion and textile industry. This is one based on tariff- and duty-free trade, that supports our SMEs and our manufacturers, and one that keeps customs procedures to a minimum.

During the Implementation Period, the UK will also be able to start trade discussions with other countries. The UK will still have access to the trade deals that the EU has with other countries such as South Korea and Canada during the Implementation Period. At the end of the Implementation Period, the Government aims to have secured a roll-over of many of those EU-based trade deals as well as starting discussions on new trading arrangements with countries such as Japan and the USA.

UKFT will continue to work closely with the UK Government to ensure the needs of the fashion and textile sector are met in all future trade deals.

If you have any specific concerns on the Implementation Period or on any other Brexit-related issue, please do get in touch at info@ukft.org or 020 7843 9460.