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EU and international trade

The UK left the EU on 31 December 2020 with new rules applying from 1 January 2021 on trading with the EU.
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ICAEW's Brexit hub has been archived and this new page brings together updates, guides, and other resources that are still relevant. For more information on how to access the archived hub, see the section on Archived pages.

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ICAEW insights and news

E-invoicing to be mandatory for EU VAT by 2030
  • Article
  • 07 Nov 2024
Agreement has been reached on a package of digital measures for VAT in the European Union (EU), including the introduction of a real-time digital reporting system through electronic invoicing (e-invoicing).
How to adopt a pragmatic approach to CSRD
  • Article
  • 16 Aug 2024
The European Commission has urged companies to take a proportionate and common-sense approach to the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Find out how this can be achieved.
Complexity, with no clear guidance: the state of UK trade
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2024
Underinvestment in UK government trade departments, the ongoing negative impacts of the contentious Brexit deal and geopolitical conflicts are causing major headaches for UK exporters and importers.
EU trading post-Brexit: what you need to know
  • Article
  • 15 Jul 2024
The EU remains the UK’s largest trade partner, yet despite the business benefits of international trade, many SMEs are deterred by a lack of know-how and fears over higher costs and more administration.
Trading with the world post-Brexit: what you need to know
  • Article
  • 15 Jul 2024
Post-Brexit, UK-based SMEs are exploring trading opportunities with the rest of the world. Managers should take these steps to make the most of the UK’s free trade deals.
Exclusive IHIF reflections
  • Article
  • 30 May 2024
My immediate observations from IHIF 2024, which saw c2,500 industry professionals from across Europe (and wider) gather in a – rather chilly – Berlin to discuss the current mood, immediate outlook and longer term trends for the European Hotel investment and transactions market.

ICAEW helpsheets and guides

Exclusive The UK Financial Reporting Regime
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 17 Apr 2023
  • PDF (408kb)
This factsheet provides an overview of the UK accounting framework, which accounting standards are applicable, and the options that are available to different types of entity.
HMRC Freeports Induction Pack
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 21 Apr 2022
  • PDF (178kb)
This pack contains information for potential Freeport customs site operators, including the benefits of operating a business in a Freeport customs site, how to apply for the relevant authorisations and the benefits available in a Freeports tax site.
Brexit checklist
  • Article
  • 13 Sep 2021
Key points for business at the end of the Brexit transition period. Follow our quick-start guide, outlining a variety of areas that could impact your business post Brexit.
Brexit: Implications of changes to company law on corporate reporting
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 14 Jun 2021
The end of the transition period brought into effect changes in company law that have an impact on the preparation of the annual report and accounts. This guide outlines some of the practical implications.
UK VAT after the transitional period
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 09 Jun 2021
ICAEW guidance to help accountants and businesses understand how the UK’s VAT rules are changing from 1 January 2021.
Exclusive TAXguide 09/21: Brexit – The corporate tax implications
  • Technical release
  • 15 Apr 2021
This TAXguide analyses the corporate tax impact of Brexit on the typical cycle of outbound and inbound business operations within the UK and the EU as from 1 January 2021. It analyses them from the viewpoint of both the UK and the member states of the EU.
Post-Brexit recognition of professional qualifications
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 09 Mar 2021
ICAEW is committed to helping members seeking professional recognition for the pursuit of regulated activities, such as statutory audit, in the European Economic Area (EEA) under the post-Brexit arrangements.
Audit and Brexit: a practical checklist for audit firms
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 03 Feb 2021
The end of the Brexit transition period has resulted in significant changes to how businesses operate. Combined with the impact of COVID-19, this presents unique challenges for auditors. This guide provides ten questions to help auditors develop a consistent approach to Brexit across the practice.

ICAEW reports

Analysing the EU exit charge – a policy insight update
  • Report
  • 22 Jun 2018
  • PDF (431kb)
Our original policy insight ‘Analysing the EU Exit Charge' examined the net amount the UK could be required to pay on exiting the EU; we have now updated our analysis for the outcome of the negotiations, comparing our high scenario of £30bn with HM Treasury’s estimate of £37bn for the net financial settlement as reviewed by the National Audit Office.
How much will the UK pay to exit the EU?
  • Article
  • 16 May 2017
  • PDF (1,566kb)
An ICAEW briefing paper on the potential UK exit charges when leaving the EU.
ICAEW submission to the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee inquiry
  • Article
  • 24 Oct 2016
  • PDF (242kb)
ICAEW representation

Archived pages

You can access the archived version of ICAEW's Brexit hub via our Digital Archive. The archive provides snapshots of the hub's web pages between March 2021 and February 2024.