BCC greets new era of digital trade

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging businesses who want to boost their exports and reduce costs to quickly embrace a new era of digital trade.

It made the call as the Government’s flagship Electronic Trade Documents Act finally came into force on 20 September.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “Campaigners, including the BCC, have worked for years to have the Electronic Trade Documents Act passed, and its introduction is a huge milestone.

“This new era is starting in the UK, but we can also act as a beacon, leading towards further digitalisation of trade across the world. We now need to see other governments accelerating their work to digitalise border processes.  

“In our Trade Manifesto, we called on the UK Government to work with business to ensure 60 per cent of the UK’s exports are carried out digitally by the end of the decade.

“The whole Chamber Network has already risen to this challenge and has switched to using Digital Certificates of Origin for the UK.

“As more countries make the transition, we will be able to increasingly digitize our trade - making it much less bureaucratic, and leading to big savings in both costs and time.”

About The Act 

The Electronic Trade Documents Act gives legal status to electronic Bills of Exchange and Bills of Lading and other commercial documents. 

The new legislation gained Royal Assent on 20 July this year and came into force on 20 September. It provides opportunities to digitalise international trade documents and reap efficiency benefits. It also covers trade documents such as promissory notes, warehouse receipts, marine insurance policies, and cargo insurance certificates.  

Big in America LinkedIn series

The Department for Business and Trade's Big in America is a first-of-its-kind documentary series on LinkedIn. It follows five UK SMEs that are determined to crack the American market and export their goods and services. Each 15-minute episode sees television personality Alex Polizzi mentor the businesses as they learn the ropes of the US market in preparation for a pitch to a major US business in New York City. You can get a taste of what to expect by watching the series trailer.

Episodes are released fortnightly from 12 September to 7 November at 1.00pm. 

Episode 1 (Willsow) - Live on catch-up to watch now

Episode 2 (See.Sense) - airing on 26 September 2023, 1.00pm

Episode 3 (Collctiv) - airing on 10 October 2023, 1.00pm

Episode 4 (Artemis) - airing on 24 October 2023, 1.00pm

Episode 5 (Spice Kitchen) - airing on 7 November 2023, 1.00pm

There will also be live Q&As with each of the SMEs at 2.00pm, directly after transmission - viewers will be able to attend and ask questions to the businesses featured during these sessions.

Document Checking Workshops
Thursday 9 November, 10.00am-4.00pm

As part of International Trade Week, we are holding a document checking workshops at our Chamber Offices in Oakington, where you can visit us to obtain face to face training and guidance on completing and creating a number of key international trade documents.

10.00-11.00am
This session will help you to create and apply for a Certificate of Origin (UK and Arab) and a EUR1 Movement Certificate.

2.15-3.00pm
The afternoon session will explain what a manufacturer/supplier declaration should look like, and how to ensure you obtain a valid document that is sufficient to be able to verify origin when presented alongside a Certificate of Origin application.

As part of this day we are also offering 1-2-1 sessions with one of our experts (30 minute slots) - FREE to Members, and only £15.00 (plus VAT) for Non-members. You can use your timeslot to discuss any type of trade document you need help with or want to understand better, and you can even bring a document along to discuss!

Booking is first come first served so don’t delay!

To book your place, please email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk.

You can view the full list of all our training courses on the Chamber website.

Courses can also be tailored to meet your company’s specific requirements. For more information about a bespoke course for your company, which can be delivered remotely or in person, please contact the Chamber on 01223 237414.

SAVE THE DATE

Last week, the BCC met with newly appointed Shadow Trade Minister Afzhal Khan MP to discuss key priorities from our 2023 Trade Manifesto and begin a dialogue on improving UK export performance.

The BCC took part in the UK Domestic Advisory Group meeting to plan issues around the autumn schedule of meetings with EU stakeholders, EU officials and UK government officials through the formal committees under the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

There is a further meeting this week with Business and Trade Minister Lord Minto to discuss compliance issues businesses are experiencing ahead of the roll out of reporting requirements from the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on 1 October.

The Trade Remedies Authority has initiated an extension review into the future of the UK’s steel safeguard measures on 15 categories of steel products beyond mid-2024.