Business West has created services for traders which remove the hassle of ensuring accurate customs clearance and avoids delays and extra costs at the border. 

Since January 1, businesses need to complete customs declarations when exporting or importing goods to and from the EU, may need to produce an ATA Carnet, and EU importers may request a certificate of origin.

“Businesses are facing a multitude of post-Brexit changes currently and with the Coronavirus pandemic already disrupting supply chains, this is causing understandable confusion and frustration for firms,” said Catherine Stephens, head of international trade services at Business West.

“There are however ways companies can get prepared for trading with the EU and we want to assure businesses of the support available.” 

Below are the ways Business West, a not-for-profit company which sit on 52 chambers of commerce, can support traders post-Brexit.

Declarations and certificates of origin

ChamberCustoms can take care of customs declarations for companies, and Business West’s Export Documentation team can help with certificates of origin, which detail the origin of goods, what the goods are, their weight and country of destination.

Business West are fully authorised to certify all documents needed to export to the EU.

For preferential origin, exporters have to follow rules set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which require a minimum percentage of the product be proven to have originated in the UK or EU to avoid tariffs when being exported to or imported from the EU.

If EU preferential origin goods are imported into the UK, the goods must be processed in the UK to enable them to be classed as UK preferential origin goods when being re-exported to the EU.

Exporters / importers cannot import EU preferential origin goods into the UK then re-package them and sell them back out to the EU as preferential origin goods.

For more help with rules of origin you can contact 01275 774 958 to speak to a member of the team who will be able to answer any questions and get you ready for trading. 

Transport through Europe

Firms transporting goods temporarily into EU countries or transferring them through the EU to non-EU or third countries can now produce an ATA Carnet in order for goods to move duty free.

Business West’s International Trade team can simplify customs procedures and complete all Carnet vouchers. Find out more here.  

Special licenses and certificates

There are now certificates and special licenses you will need if you are exporting specific products. For example, if you are exporting live animals you will need an export health certificate and if you are exporting controlled drugs, you need a Home Office controlled drug license. For more information about the different licenses and certificates required visit www.gov.uk/exportgoods.  

Firms can visit Business West’s web-advice platform Trading through Brexit to get up to date information on how to prepare for the post-Brexit changes to international trade.