UK Updates Guidance Clarifying Origin Rules During Brexit Transition Period

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade updated its guidance on trade agreements with non-European Union countries to clarify rules of origin requirements during the Brexit transition period, according to a Feb. 4 notice. The U.K. will still be “covered” by EU-third country trade agreements until the U.K. formally leaves the EU on Jan. 1, 2021, the notice said, meaning that U.K. content will continue to count toward rules of origin requirements in EU trade agreements. The U.K. is advising traders to contact their local trade office if they experience problems trading with non-EU countries due to confusion stemming from the rules of origin requirements. It is unclear whether some countries will honor U.K. goods as originating from the EU and may instead prefer to make their own determinations (see 2001220051).