Key Resources

To help guide businesses through the changes that affect them, the West Midlands Growth Hubs are working together to ensure businesses across the region can access free, impartial, advice on challenges arising from the end of the transition period and keep up to date with new rule changes in 2022.

In 2021, the West Midlands Growth Hubs worked collaboratively to deliver business support across the region for SMEs with questions about international trading, import, VAT, GDPR, movement of people, and other challenges presented by the UK’s new trading relationship with the EU. As part of this campaign, SMEs were able to access fully funded, expert advice and general business support to help them understand and comply with the new rules, and this report brings together the results and findings of the campaign.

Click here to read the report

Use the links below to find accurate advice for your business, or get in touch with your local Growth Hub. Use the postcode checker if you are unsure which of the below is the Growth Hub for your area.

The West Midlands Growth Hubs

Government Resources

Brexit Guidance

Find out how new Brexit rules apply to things like travel and doing business with Europe: www.gov.uk/brexit

Email updates
Sign up to receive regular email updates from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, providing information on major announcements and recently published guidance: sign up

Importing & Exporting:

To continue to trade with the EU, you will need to follow new rules Visit www.gov.uk/brexit to find out what you need to do or navigate the following useful links:

Get an EORI Number

Hire someone to deal with customs on your behalf

Export goods from the UK – step by step guide

Import goods into the UK – step by step guide

Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain

Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods

Trade tariff look-up commodity codes, duty and VAT rates

EU and non-EU businesses

Look up tariffs, taxes and rules to trade with the UK

The Border Operating Model:

A guide to how the border works with the European Union: download guide

Hiring Staff from outside the UK:

The UK's points-based immigration system: guide for employers

Qualification Recognition:
Ensure your staff can practise and provide services to clients in the UK by ensuring their professional qualification(s) are recognised by their professional body in the UK. Read more

Visiting Europe:
Check the actions you will need to take if you are travelling to the EU, including for business. Read more

Living and Working in the EU:

Advice for UK nationals living abroad, including residency, health and benefits, and specific advice for people following the UK's departure from the EU. Read more

Transferring Data between the UK and EU:

Check what action you need to take regarding data protection and data flows with the EU/EEA. Read more

Information for EU businesses: Trade with the UK as a business based in the EU. Read more

Business Support

West Midlands Growth Hubs: T: 0300 0603747 E: support@westmidlandsgrowthhubs.co.uk

National Business Support Helpline: T: 0800 998 1098 E: enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org

Department for International Trade (DIT) Export Support Service T: 0300 303 8955 or ask the export support team a question

Sector Support Helpline Numbers: Download List

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce T: 02476 654321 E: info@cw-chamber.co.uk W: https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/

West Midlands Chambers of Commerce T: 0345 222 0159 E: wmenquiries@mobile.trade.gov.uk W: http://www.wmchambers.co.uk/

Customs Declaration Services: Chamber Customs is the customs advisory, training and brokerage service delivered through Chambers of Commerce across the UK: E: ChamberCustoms@cw-chamber.co.uk

Independent Freight: Customs Clearance Broker: T: 02476 343037 W: https://independent-freight.com/contact-us/