Help and support remains available

Support is available to eligible EUSS applicants who may need help applying to the scheme. Funding for the Home Office’s network of 72 grant-funded organisations and local authorities across the UK has been extended.

To find organisations that offer support in your area please click here: www.gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme

Key points to remember about the EU Settlement Scheme

• Those eligible for status under the EUSS may be able to make a late application to the scheme if they have reasonable grounds for having missed the deadline. It is important that anyone who can apply does so urgently to protect their right to live, work, study and access benefits and healthcare in the UK.
• Individuals who make a valid EUSS application have temporary protected rights in the UK until they receive an outcome of their EUSS application. More information can be found on GOV.UK.
• Applicants who have made a valid application will be issued with a certificate of application, which can be relied on to evidence their rights in the UK. This can be accessed by signing into the view and prove service at www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. Those who submitted a paper application will have a certificate of application sent to them by post.
• Eligible close family members living overseas as of 31 December 2020 can apply to join an EU, EEA or Swiss family member who started living in the UK by then. More information on joining family members can be found on GOV.UK.
• An application must be made for every eligible child within a family. Parents must check if they need to apply on behalf of their children, including children born or adopted since 1 January 2021, even if they have already applied and been granted a status themselves. More information can be found on GOV.UK.

Switching from EUSS pre-settled status to settled status

Individuals with pre-settled status can apply to switch to settled status as soon as they are eligible. This is usually after someone has lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).

To switch, a person must apply to the EUSS again before their pre-settled status expires. For further information, please refer to the guidance available on GOV.UK.

Travel documents

Individuals with status under the EUSS should update their UKVI account with all valid travel documents (such as passports or national identity cards) they hold and intend to use for travel. This can help to avoid unnecessary delays at the UK border and can be done online by going to www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

Further information

Exports  

Ensure correct paperwork for live animal and animal product health checks at the EU border 

Traders must ensure that UK hauliers have the correct paperwork to comply with new animal and animal product checks at the EU border. Traders should take the following steps to obtain the necessary paperwork before exporting goods to EU member states. 
 
Check if you need an Export Health Certificate 
 
Exports of live animals and products of animal origin to the EU require an Export Health Certificate (EHC) signed by an Official Vet (OV) or Food Competent Certifying Officer (FCCO). The original signed EHC must travel with the consignment.  
 
You can check which EHC you need via Defra’s Form Finder and apply online. Full guidance on the EHC process is available on gov.uk. You should ensure that you have found an OV or FCCO who can certify your consignment before you start the application process. 
 
If you cannot find an EHC, you’ll need to contact the competent authority in the EU country you’re exporting to, in advance, to find out what paperwork you’ll need. If the competent authority says that you need an EHC, you’ll need to get their import conditions. Email the conditions to APHA at exports@apha.gov.uk who’ll arrange an EHC for you. 
 
Find the correct Border Control Post for your goods 
 
You must get your animals and animal products checked at an EU BCP. There are more than 400 BCPs in the EU and they’re usually at EU ports and airports. The most frequently used are: 
 
Belgium BCPs 
France BCPs 
Germany BCPs 
Netherlands BCPs 
Portugal BCPs 
Spain BCPs

You can check the full list of EU BCPs. 
 
Your goods may be refused entry, seized, destroyed or returned to GB if they arrive at: 

• a port in the EU without a BCP or where checks cannot be carried out
• an EU BCP that cannot check your type of animal 
• an EU BCP without the correct documentation  

Useful resources: 

Give advance notice to the EU Border Control Post (pre-notification) 
 
You’ll need to give EU BCPs advance notice of goods arriving (pre-notify). Check with the BCP you’re planning to use for how much notice is needed. 
 
Contact your import agent in the EU to make sure they notify the BCP through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) of the arrival of the consignment. They must do this within the time limits set out by the BCP or point of entry. 
 
Comply with new customs requirements 
 
Comply with wider HMRC guidance on customs requirements for exporting to the EU, follow HMRC guidance for moving goods from GB and follow rules on identifying animals, if you want to export them to the EU. 

EU guidance 
 
Guidance: Sanitary and phytosanitary controls on goods imported from the UK into EU entering via France – French Ministry for Agriculture and Food  

Defra Helplines 
 
Select the most appropriate Helpline for the commodity you are exporting to the EU at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-defra  

Food & Drink Wales Information 

You are responsible for checking and acting on relevant information but we want to support you by signposting to sources of useful information and guidance. 

What can you do now to get ready to trade with the EU ?

Get a GB EORI number

You will need an EORI number to complete customs declarations. You can register for free by going to www.gov.uk/eori

Decide how you’re going to make customs declarations

Customs agents, freight forwarders and express operators can help you with declarations and ensure you’re providing the necessary information. For more information, click here 

See if your imported goods are eligible for staged controls

Most traders with a good compliance record will be able to defer import declarations on most goods for up to 6 months. For more information, click here

If you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you can sign up to use the free Trader Support Service (TSS)

Want to find out more?

Further information from other partners and Welsh Government can be found on the Welsh government web site – https://beta.gov.wales/brexit