This week the government updated guidance on which businesses will be able to apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund, a new grant worth up to £2,000 that established businesses UK can use for training or professional advice.

The grant is open for businesses that have up to 500 employees and have no more than £100m turnover.

Since the focus of the grant is on Brexit training and advice, it is limited to businesses that only import or export between Great Britain and the EU or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This means businesses that import and export around the world to non-EU countries will not be entitled to the grant, regardless on the impact of Brexit.

The grant is aimed at businesses that have been established in the UK for at least 12 months or hold authorised economic operator status.

What you will be able to use the grant for:

You can use the grant for training on:

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

It can be used to help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.

Who will be able to apply

Your business must:

1. be established in the UK
2. have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status
3. not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations
4. have no more than 500 employees
5. have no more than £100 million turnover
6. only import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, if you already import or export goods from or to a non-EU country you are not eligible for his grant

Your 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 to apply

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is administering the grants for HMRC.

Applications will close on 30 June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated before this date.

Apply online via : https://www.customsintermediarygrant.co.uk/sme-brexit-support-fund