SME Brexit Support Fund

The government have announced there will be grants made available to support small and medium-sized business who are new to importing or exporting. The SME Brexit Support Fund will provide grants of up to £2000 to help businesses, up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover, with training or to seeking professional advice.

What can the SME Brexit Support Fund Grant be used for?

The grants can be used for businesses to get training on:

• how to complete customs declarations
• how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
• specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin

They can also be used to help gain professional advice so you can meet customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.

Who can apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund Grants?

Eligibility is determined by a number of factors including:

• Your business must be established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or hold Authorised Economic Operator status

• You must not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations
• You cannot have more than 500 employees
• You must have no more than £100 million turnover
• You must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

In addition to these eligibility requirements business must also either:

• complete (or intend to complete) import or export declarations internally for its own goods
• use someone else to complete import or export declarations but requires additional capability internally to effectively import or export (such as advice on rules of origin or advice on dealing with a supply chain)

How do I apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund Grant?

Applications for the grants will be online, however, they are not open yet.