Count down to 31 October

From the publication of this notice, 30 July end of the business day, it is still 3 months to countdown to 31 October 2019.

Then the United Kingdom (UK) will leave the European Union (EU): BREXIT.

Still, a number of important issues have not been settled definitively and it is even conceivable that a Brexit will not go ahead anyway, or that it will still be adjusted compared to current knowledge. In view of the expectations, we are now focusing on Plan B(rexit).

Plan B(rexit): there will be a Brexit somehow.
Will your UK customers continue to exist and be creditworthy? Can they meet their payment obligations? Or: do you have EU customers, who are in financial difficulties because of their UK customers, who are in trouble? Think of not being able to produce an article lacking the receipt of a missing part from or delivering into the UK.

Also important: After Brexit, the UK is no longer an EU country with consequences for VAT.


It is good to go through the different scenarios again and to take (temporary) measures for the possible risks that may arise.

Have you trained you crew, prepared a plan of action and, in the event of import or export, do you have the documentation and regulations in place timely? Do you need an actual or fiscal presence in the UK or, as a UK company, in the EU? Can you use reliable representatives and/or have you engaged a local manager or management agency?
Need for legal advice, tax and financial support: don’t wait too long to search. There is not much time left after the summer holiday period.

Remarkable: 31 October is a Thursday, followed by All Saints’ Day on Friday, a free day in many countries. So it is a long weekend. And don’t forget that Mid-October is school autumn holidays on the continent!