How to prepare for the new rules on trade No matter how small your business, if you deal with the EU you must act now to be ready for 2021. In association with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Sponsored Updated: 22 Dec 2020, 11:25 THE clock is ticking towards the end of the year, and for UK businesses that means significant changes in the way we trade with Europe. Even the smallest business needs to prepare for the new rules on importing and exporting, which will come into force from 1 January 2021, as the UK transition period ends and we exit the EU single market and customs union.