Search Results

Recent survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with Bibby Financial Services has revealed uncertainty around Brexit, tariffs and exchange rates are holding back potential of many UK exporters. The survey included over 1,000 international active UK businesses, of which, 47% cited general uncertainty around Brexit as the top barrier to export, followed by concerns regarding tariffs (35%) and exchange rate volatility (33%). Also from the 29% of the respondents which currently only trade in the UK, only 17% said they were not facing any barriers to export, leaving 83% facing barriers to reach their full potential. For more information on the findings of this survey, please click here

As another Brexit deadline looms, here at the Chamber we’ve seen a large increase in enquiries asking, ‘How Can I Really Prepare for Brexit?’ Unfortunately, there is no quick answer to this question – but planning and getting advice is still the best way to prepare. But who is willing to give companies practical advice? It can feel at times like the sheer volume of notices, updates and HMRC alerts are never ending. At the Chamber, we appreciate this can feel overwhelming, especially for those businesses who have only ever moved goods in and out of the EU, with little to no international experience. Below, we have listed some steps businesses can take to prepare for Brexit as best they can ahead of the countdown to October 31st: 1) Make a list and check it twice This step is fairly self-explanatory, but there is a lot to be said for taking inventory of where your business is now with regards to import or exporting from non-EU destinations and what you need to do to be able to facilitate this after Brexit. If you don’t already import or export internationally, it is often more helpful to ask ‘what would my business need to import/export internationally?’ rather than ‘what does my business need to do to prepare for Brexit?’ as information found online regarding international trade is more common than definitive lists about what to do in a no-deal scenario. The Chamber has produced two checklists for importers and exporters with suggested steps to take ahead of Brexit, you can see the checklist for importers here and the exporters here. 2) Asses your strengths and weaknesses If you have no idea where to begin with prioritising what needs doing for your business ahead of Brexit, we recommend you take our Brexit readiness assessments – take the one for importers here and the one for exporters here. These detailed online questionnaires will be analysed and turned into a report by a member of the Chamber’s award-winning International Trade Team, where your company’s key strengths and weaknesses ahead of Brexit will be highlighted. 3) Speak to people who understands the ins and outs of international trade The main business issue with Brexit is that most UK companies and firms have only ever imported from, or exported to, the EU. Up until now, this has been an easy, seamless process that often is the same for a whole host of different, and unique, goods. If you have never dealt with customs, or had any international exposure, it is understandable that this is overwhelming. However, there are plenty of organisations and professionals throughout the country who have many years of experience in international trade who are well-versed to answer a high proportion of questions. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is proud to have several associates and partners who have a great deal of experience between them, and we are opening the doors of the Chamber on the 25th of October 2019 for businesses with unanswered questions to meet them and get real, practical advice. We have experts in the following areas attending: · Currency and FX post Brexit · Market Risk and Brexit Due Diligence · VAT after Brexit: Technical and Commercial advice · Export Documentation · International Trade and Customs advice · Export Health Certificates and Exporting Animal Products · AEO Status and Transport through ports · Logistics and Freight · Immigration and Legal Advice · Customs Clearance Technology · Data Management · Cover My Cargo If you are interested in attending and booking some meetings, click here to avoid missing out. If you have any other queries regarding Brexit you can either visit our Brexit Hub at www.gmccbrexithub.com or email the team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has automatically registered 95,000 businesses for its simplified import procedures allowing most traders up to six months to pay import duties and submit customs declarations, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October. The scheme, known as Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP), will make importing after Brexit on 31 October much simpler, particularly for businesses who would be completing customs processes for the first time. Up to now, businesses have had to apply for it – over 30,000 had previously registered. This TSP scheme will allow most businesses up to six months to send in customs declarations and pay any customs duties to HMRC after importing goods from the EU. This will prevent congestion at the border when goods enter the UK. The government has chosen to automatically enrol VAT-registered businesses who import from the EU into the TSP scheme as it is the best option for businesses who are new to customs processes and haven’t yet appointed a customs agent. Businesses who are not registered for VAT should apply for the scheme if it would benefit them. HMRC Interim CEO, Jim Harra, said: “We are doing everything we can to help businesses get ready for Brexit on 31 October. “This move will support the trade of thousands of businesses and is part of our longstanding policy of making sure we continue to keep trade flowing.” Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “At a time of change, the top priorities at the border have to be keeping trade flowing and minimising the potential for disruption. “Automatically registering companies for Transitional Simplified Procedures at the border means one less immediate demand on traders’ limited time and resources in the unwanted event of a ‘no-deal’ exit. “In particular, it would help the thousands of UK firms who import from the EU but have little experience of dealing with customs processes. We are pleased that ministers have again listened to BCC’s calls to reduce the number of administrative hoops businesses will need to jump through as they navigate major changes to the way they trade across borders.” Businesses registered for TSP today are UK-based traders who HMRC has a record of having imported goods from the EU in 2018. HMRC has sent letters to these traders with further details of their TSP registration, and they only have to take a few simple extra steps – such as checking if their goods attract tariffs, and getting a Duty Deferment Account if they do – to make sure that they are ready for 31 October. Importers do not have to use TSP: they still also have the option to use full import processes instead. However, HMRC strongly advises traders new to dealing with customs to take advantage of the benefits of TSP. The UK remains committed to ensuring the country’s borders remain secure, and simplified customs measures will not change that. Border Force will continue to carry out intelligence-led checks. Please get in touch with the team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk for more information on TSP.

The UK Government has introduced an update on the Temporary Tariff regime today (8th October) which will apply if we leave the EU without a deal. Following feedback from industry and consumer groups, three main amendments have been made: oHGVs oBioethanol oClothing These are to: lower tariffs on HGVs entering the UK market, striking a better balance between the needs of British producers and the SMEs that make up the UK haulage industry, ensuring that crucial fleet replacement programmes that help to lower carbon emissions can continue adjust tariffs on bioethanol to retain support for UK producers, as the supply of this fuel is important to critical national infrastructure apply tariffs to additional clothing products to ensure the preferential access to the UK market currently available to developing countries (compared to other countries) is maintained For further information on these latest amendments, please click here

If you are a business who completes customs declarations or a customs intermediary, you can apply for 3 grants to help your business complete customs declarations, in preparation for the UK leaving the EU. hiring new staff to help your business complete customs declarations IT improvements to help your business complete customs declarations more efficiently, you can get funding for: hiring new staff to help your business complete customs declarations and IT improvements to help your business complete customs declarations more efficiently. Who can apply? Your business must: be established in, or have a branch in the UK when the grant is paid to you not have previously failed to meet its tax obligations – we’ll check our records to decide if we can offer your business a grant You can apply for just one of the grants, or all of them. Recruitment grant To apply for the grant, your business must: currently complete customs declarations on behalf of importers and exporters have been established in the UK for at least 12 months Training grant To apply for the training grant, your business must either: complete customs declarations for yourself or someone else (or intend to in the future)import from, or export to the EU and complete customs declarations (or intend to complete customs declarations in the future) IT improvements grant To apply for the IT improvements grant, your business must: currently complete customs declarations for importers and exporters have 250 employees or fewer have an annual turnover of less than €50 million Amounts of funding available Recruitment grant The grant will give you £3,000 for each employee. You could also get up to £10,000 for any employee you recruit before 31 January 2020, to cover up to 3 months’ salary. You will receive the funding for recruitment costs and 50% of the eligible salary costs upfront. The remaining 50% of salary costs will be paid when the employee has been in post for one month. Training grant The grant will give you up to 100% of the cost of training for your employees, up to a limit of £2,250 for each course. It will also cover the cost of training you run internally, up to a limit of £250 for each employee on the course. IT improvements The grant will give you up to 200,000 euros (the maximum amount of state aid available). More information If you wish to register and guidance on how to apply for the grant, please visit the UK's Government website here

The article below outlines changes to using TSP after Brexit for controlled and standard imports. Importing Standards Goods Using TSP If you use Transitional Simplified Procedures, or TSP, currently to import standard goods you will need to record the following information before the goods enter the UK: · the unique reference number for the consignment · a description of the goods and the commodity code · the quantity imported · purchase and (if available) sales invoice numbers · the customs value · delivery details · supplier emails · serial numbers of any certificates or licenses Then, the date and approximate time of when the goods entered the UK will need to be included in your records. If you import EU goods under the Common Transit Convention you will need to record the information about the import before the goods leave the office of destination or authorised consignee. You will need to give the office of destination or authorised consignee your EORI number. You do not need to record the time of the goods arriving in the UK, but you must update your records with the time that the goods are released into free circulation or from temporary storage. This is when duties and tax become due. After you have released your goods into free circulation or out of temporary storage, you will need to submit a supplementary declaration. You’ll need to submit a supplementary declaration after the goods enter the UK. In the event of no-deal Brexit, for goods imported before 30th April 2020, you will have until May 6th 2020 to submit the supplementary declaration. Importing Controlled Goods Using TSP If you use Transitional Simplified Procedures, or TSP, currently to import controlled goods you will need to do the following: · submit a simplified frontier declaration before the goods are imported into the UK · make sure that the controlled goods are accompanied by full supporting documentation, for example the appropriate licence · update the declaration to ’arrived’ when the goods enter the UK (through a third party or software), before the end of the next working day · If you’re importing standard goods as well as controlled goods, you can use the same (controlled goods) procedure for both. If you’re importing goods from the EU under the Common Transit Convention, you do not have to submit the simplified frontier declaration before the goods enter the UK. But you must submit it before the goods leave the office of destination or authorised consignee. You will need to give the office of destination or authorised consignee the master reference number of your simplified frontier declaration. If you submit the simplified frontier declaration before the goods enter the UK, you’ll need to update the declaration to ‘arrived’ when they do. You must do this before the end of the following working day, or before they leave the office of destination or authorised consignee (whichever is sooner). After you submit your simplified frontier declaration, you’ll need to submit a supplementary declaration You’ll need to submit a supplementary declaration after the goods enter the UK. You must submit it by the fourth working day of the following month For help regarding TSP we recommend you contact your freight forwarder who will be able to assit with various steps in the process. Contact us at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk with your international trade query and we will help or connect you with someone who can. Greater Manchester Chamber are running a series of Brexit Clinics on 25th October – click here to find out more information.

Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI Number) HMRC are encouraging businesses trading outside the UK to apply for an Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) number. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, from 11pm on 31st October, UK businesses will need to apply the same processes as are currently used when exporting and importing outside the EU. If you’re VAT registered this process is simple and can be done online, it should only take around 10 minutes. You’ll need your VAT registration number and name of your business in which you’re VAT registered. If you’re not VAT registered you’ll need some more information which can be found here. HMRC have recently announced plans to automatically enrol companies for EORI numbers. To apply for your EORI number or find out more please click here. Export Licences The Department for International Trade has announced a new Open General Export License (OGEL) for the export of dual-use goods (with both civilian and military application) to the EU. These items could be used for both civil and military applications and could include: goods, software, technology, documents, diagrams, raw materials such as chemicals, components like bearings and complete systems such as lasers. You can find further information on these items here. The licence will come into effect as from 11pm on 31st October, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. You can find out more here. Transitional Simplified Procedures HMRC has written to 145,000 businesses who are trading with the EU regarding the transitional simplified procedures (TSP) for customs, if we leave the EU without a deal. The procedures should help to avoid prolonged checks at the border and would also mean that goods can be transported from the EU to the UK without having to make a full customs declaration at the border, also delaying the payment for import duties. Whilst we are not sure how long these changes will last; the government have said they will provide 12 months’ notice if any changes need to be made. Registrations for TSP are now open, and businesses can register if they have an EORI number, please click here for more information. Export Documentation For details on how to use Export Documentation please contact exportdocs@gmchamber.co.uk. How can Greater Manchester Chamber help? Brexit Checklist The British Chambers of Commerce have put together a Brexit Checklist which can help you to prepare. The British Chamber of Commerce is also releasing frequent policy updates regarding Brexit, for up to date news please follow our Twitter - @GMCCTradeTeam. Our International Trade Team have also been writing some useful blogs you can read here. Customs Compliance Audit We can help by visiting your business, along with one of our Associates and conduct an Customs Compliance Audit. We will come and meet at your premises for 2-3 hours and prepare a report demonstrating areas which could be improved, whilst also advising on best practice and next steps to take. Please email exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk for further details. Planning for Brexit Workshops We are also organising full day workshops to discuss the current situation, customs, what would happen in a no deal scenario, regulation and documentation, origin, transport and risk for both Import and Export. Please see here to book for Imports and here to book for exports

The European Commission has included in its Market Access Database detailed information on the rules that the UK would apply on its imports from the EU in the event of a hard Brexit. It is based on information made publicly available by the United Kingdom authorities. This is a part of the Commission’s efforts to help industry be prepared in case the United Kingdom leaves the European Union without a negotiated deal. The Market Access Database provides detailed information on duties and taxes that apply to exports to a given country, as well as on import procedures and formalities that must be accomplished for customs clearance. The database contains information for 121 countries, and as of today, it also provides the same level of information for exports to the UK as for any other EU trade partners such as the US or China. More information on the database can be found here, and should you have any queries regarding imports from the EU please contact the International Trade Team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk

The British Chambers of Commerce and the accredited Chamber network continue to work to avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU on 31st October. However, businesses need answers they can base decisions on, no matter the outcome. This includes the trade documentation for use by exporters to prove origin. Should the UK reach a Withdrawal agreement with the EU, then the existing documents that you currently issue will continue to be used throughout any period of transition. As part of our contingency planning for a no deal Brexit, our colleagues at the BCC have worked closely with HMRC and the DIT on the revised format of preference and non-preference certificates of origin. In the event of a no-deal Brexit we have made preparationsto enable us to provide you with continuity of service through the issuance of revised "United Kingdom" documentation. This will be ready and available in time for October 31st. If you hold blank certificates for printing at your business premises, then we will contact you in advance to arrange a supply of replacement certificates. If you are a Chamber customer who has bought bulks of blank EC Certificates of Origin, please note you will be able to exchange these with the new certificates until the end of August 2019. Please get in touch with our Export Documentation team to discuss your exchanging requirements by emailing them at exportdocs@gmchamber.co.uk. Finally, please bear in mind the replacement certificates or exchanges should only be used in the event that the United Kingdom leaves the EU in a no deal scenario. If you need further information about the latest development on Brexit or require tailored support to prepare for it, please check our website or email our International Trade team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk to find more about our Brexit preparation services.

The Department of International Trade released a statement regarding a 12-month temporary tariff that will come in to effect if the UK leaves the EU with a ‘No-Deal’ on the 31st October. To avoid price increases, UK businesses will not pay tariffs on 87% of imported goods. The temporary tariff change means most UK households, consumers and businesses will face no additional charges on products imported from the EU. However, there will be a mix of new tariffs and quotas on products including: - Finished vehicles - Beef, lamb, pork and poultry - Butter and some cheese - Bananas - Raw cane sugar - Certain types of fish Any new tariffs will only come into play when we leave the EU, and only if the UK leaves with a ‘No-Deal’ – the proposed ‘No-Deal’ tariffs will apply for 12 months after Brexit to give the government opportunity to consult with businesses and consumers on future tariffs. However, for businesses to have piece of mind they can check the temporary rates of customs duty on imports after Brexit on DIT’s website here. Please email us at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk for more advice.

With the 31st October looming and no clear view of what Brexit will look like yet, it is more important than ever to prepare. There are a wealth of think pieces, opinions and articles online – but businesses need solid facts, not generalisations, to understand what trading under Brexit will look like for them. This is especially important in the case of No-Deal, as this will cause the most immediate change to British companies’ export and import plans. Fortunately, HM Revenue and Customs have created several different online packs offering the most concrete advice for businesses that export or import, other packs offer specific action steps for businesses based in logistics, animal and plant products. In total, there are over 35 different packs tailored to specific business industries, making it one of the most comprehensive free Brexit resources available to businesses. In addition to other resources, such as the ones provided by HM Revenues and Customs, the Chamber can offer Brexit services tailored to individual companies’ exact needs. Our International Trade Audit can assess whether your business is Brexit ready and highlights key strengths and weaknesses. The chamber also runs several training courses throughout the year that pick up on key issues Brexit might raise for businesses, ensuring companies stay on top of the latest regulations. To access the list of HMRC packs please click here. If you are interested in the International Trade Audit more information can be found here and an up to date list of our training courses is visible here .