Ministers Harris and Collins urge businesses to prepare for Brexit and increased customs regulations from January

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD are today (Monday) encouraging businesses to prepare for the increased customs regulations that will come into effect on January 1st 2021.

The two Ministers said Skillnet Ireland’s Clear Customs programme has helped over 1,700 people and 1,500 businesses since its launch.  Clear Customs is an online training programme to support Irish businesses deal with increased customs requirements as a result of Brexit.

Minister Harris said: “Businesses and employees across the country are wrestling with a range of challenges including COVID-19 and Brexit. January 1st will bring significant changes for businesses across the country.

“It is so important businesses take steps now to prepare and to ensure they are protected in this changing world. The Clear Customs programme is designed to address the needs of each of those businesses. It supports skills development that will help prepare your business for Brexit, and support future growth.”

Clear Customs is an initiative to support affected Irish companies develop the capacity to deal with the additional customs requirements that will be needed from January 1, 2021.

Businesses, trading either with or through Great Britain, will be subject to a range of new customs and regulatory requirements from that date. It is estimated that the number of customs declarations required will increase, from 1.6 million annually, to 20 million after the UK’s departure from the Customs Unions and Single Market.

Minister Collins said: “The programme has helped over 1,500 businesses to prepare for the realities Brexit will bring. Our message today is if you are not sure, if you are worried, if you are unsure, there is still time.

“The course is 5 weeks in duration so log onto SkillnetIreland.ie now and avail of this crucial support.  It is free of charge, together with customs agents and intermediaries, is delivered through a new mobile app and virtual classroom training sessions.”

Paul Healy, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive said: “Clear Customs is supporting businesses across the economy that will be most hit by Brexit. We urge companies to sign up sooner rather than later and avail of this free support.”

 

Apply through https://www.skillnetireland.ie/clear-customs/