When the UK leaves the EU on the 31st of January, it is likely that the UK will enter a transition period. The British Chambers of Commerce have issued confirmation from the Department of International Trade regarding the issue of EU preference documentation, and when companies can expect to start using UK Certificates of Origin in their place.
EC Certificates of Origin will continue to be issued throughout any transition period until the transition period ends, which is currently scheduled for the 31st of December 2020. During this time, the UK government has requested that preference documents will continue to be accepted by countries that the EU currently has trade agreements with. The UK Government have intimated their position to the EU and expect that the EU will communicate this to EU member states and to countries the EU has trade agreements with once the Withdrawal Agreement has been approved.
Chambers of Commerce across the country, including Greater Manchester Chamber, have been advised to start issuing UK Certificates of Origin on and after 1st January 2021.
Please email exportdocs@gmchamber.co.uk for further export documentation information.