International Trade
International Business Hub
Dave Harris: Documents surge
A Government scheme to provide grants to cover training in post-Brexit training procedures has been extended to next January. The scheme provides funding for businesses
Luxury cars accelerate
export docs demand The Chamber’s documentation team had an unusually busy December and January – and it could all be down to a leap in the number of luxury cars going to the Middle East. Dave Harris, documentation manager at
the Chamber, said that the festive period and early new year were normally quiet. But he said: “In the 20 years I have
worked here, you can guarantee that December and January will be quiet but this year has been anything but.” Dave said that his team had been
inundated with demands for certificates of origin, which are documents required by certain countries as proof of where something has been manufactured.
‘Some companies may have decided to ship products early in case of Brexit causing a logistics nightmare’
In December 2018, the Chamber issued
1916 of these certificates and a further 2195 in the following month. Last December (2019), 2,519 certificates were issued, and in January there were a massive 3,005. Dave said most of the documents related
to luxury cars going to the Middle East, but also Turkey. He said that among the likely reasons for the unexpected surge in exports could be showrooms in the wealthy Arab states restocking, or British car makers deciding to ship cars abroad earlier than usual because of Brexit. He said: “Some companies may have
decided to ship products early in case of Brexit causing a logistics nightmare, such as delays at the ports. Also, while luxury cars going to the Middle East is not unusual, Turkey is an unlikely destination, although it is possible that shipments might be going there for further distribution.”
44 CHAMBERLINK March 2020
involved in importing and exporting, to help them find their way around the new procedures and regulations which are emerging in the post- Brexit world. The grants cover training in custom processes, such as declarations, and using customs related software and systems. The grants apply to the majority of training
courses which Birmingham Chamber began offering to businesses from last November, which range from export documentation to cultural awareness and health and safety. Ten of the courses are accredited by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). All of them last a day, and take place at Chamber House in Harborne Road, Edgbaston. The courses are now more detailed than they
were previously, and anyone who completes six of the package of ten accredited courses will be rewarded with the equivalent of an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). Chamber international director Mandy Haque
said: “I am delighted that HMRC have decided to reinstate the customs intermediary grant as this will enable businesses to submit requests for funding to cover upskilling their workforce in all customs related areas. In addition, these training
T: 0121 725 8994 E:
ibh@birmingham-chamber.com
Government extends training grant deadline
Mandy Haque: Training is key
courses will be particularly useful for those companies that are currently importing or exporting to the EU only, who will not be familiar with the documentation required after the transition period ends in 12 months’ time.”
For further information on support in training and how the Chamber can help with applying for grants from HMRC, contact
training@birmingham-chamber.com
Don’t delay Brexit preparations
An international customs specialist says companies should prepare for life in the post- Brexit world now, rather than waiting for a trade agreement to be agreed with the European Union. Lucy Sutcliffe (pictured) has joined
Midlands accountant Baldwins as director of national customs duty, after working for the taxman for more than 20 years. She is advising businesses on how
to be more efficient when moving goods to the EU and other global markets. She said: “Companies might feel they
can wait until they know what kind of trade deal we are going to strike with the EU before proactively planning for the future, but businesses should prepare certain areas of their business now to minimise future disruption. “There will inevitably be fundamental changes to the way businesses trade with EU countries
from January 2021 – such as the use of customs documentation - because we will be leaving the customs union. “And this is why businesses need to familiarise
themselves now with these requirements, whilst considering what else may be needed. “It is also imperative that businesses
are using the correct method when valuing the goods that they are moving across borders, to avoid future additional duty costs and to remain compliant. “Regulatory alignment will be one of the most contentious areas to be
negotiated. “If there is divergence in the regulations,
then UK firms will need to be alert to the origin of their goods so that should they be faced with any major change, they are prepared to react and adapt. “The key advice here is for businesses to review their end-to-end supply chain.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
