The final countdown to the Global Annual Conference 2022
The British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference 2022 takes place at the QEII Centre, London this Thursday.
This year is an in-person event hosted by Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times. There is a prestigious global line up of political and business leaders, including a senior cabinet minister. See the 2022 speakers and download the programme here.
Ticket sales are still open, but are selling fast so make sure you register today!
If you want to attend as part of the Cambridgeshire Chamber group and receive a discount, please let Karen Cash know.
Safeguard Measures on Steel Imports
Decisions have been made by the International Trade Secretary on the continued application of safeguard measures on imports of steel plus also on tariff rate quotas. If any of this impacts your business and your trading possibilities, please contact us using internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk and we will ensure that your concerns are raised with the British Chamber of Commerce Trade Policy team.
The Secretary of State has decided to apply the safeguard measures on the following categories of steel imports until the end of June 2024:
1 - Non-alloy and other alloy hot-rolled sheet and strip
2 - Non-alloy and other alloy cold-rolled sheet
4 - Metallic coated sheet
5 - Organic coated sheet
13 - Rebar
19 - Railway material
20 - Gas pipe
21 - Hollow section
25 - Large welded tube
26 - Other welded tube
The safeguard measures are also being applied to the following categories of steel imports until the end of June 2024:
6 - Tin mill products
7 - Non-alloy and other alloy quarto plates
12 - Merchant bars and light sections
16 - Non-alloy and other alloy wire rod
17 - Angles, shapes, and sections of iron or non-alloy steel
For category 12a the Secretary of State is increasing the tariff rate quota by 126,136 tonnes in order to assist importers and downstream users of steel.
The proposed tariff rate quotas for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 are set out in section D of the policy announcement.
Please note the TRA published their assessments and recommendations prior to the call-in by the Secretary of State and in terms of the reconsideration they were charged to do - are in accord with the position reached by the Secretary of State.
TRAINING COURSES
Step by Step Understanding a Customs Declaration
Thursday 7 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
This course will highlight what you need to know to complete customs declarations accurately and efficiently for both the import and export of goods, including taking you through step-by-step guidance on completing the SAD C88 form. We will also look at some of the common pitfalls and make attendees aware of the mistakes often made by newcomers to customs declarations.
Understanding Rules of Origin
Thursday 14 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
This session will explain all aspects of the Rules of Origin and Trade Agreements and how to understand and comply with them to help companies be more competitive in export markets.
Understanding Logistics
Tuesday 19 July, 9.30am-1.00pm
This course will cover a number of points around logistics including:
- Definitions of transport
- Differences with pallets
- Cargo and marine insurance
- Hazardous goods and dangerous goods notes
- Understanding commodity codes
- The role of your customer and the paperwork
- AEO.
Import / Export Diagnostics
Thursday 11 August, 9.30am-1.00pm
This workshop goes through key areas of procedures and compliance, preparing you for trading internationally either by exporting or importing. We will talk you through the steps you should take to get your procedures in order to ensure you meet HMRC requirements should they come out and inspect you.
You can view the full list of all our 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.
Trade updates
The International Trade Secretary announced the continued application of safeguard measures on 10 categories of steel imports until Sunday 30 June 2024. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP has also made decisions affecting other categories, including applicable tariff rate quotas.
The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have been engaging with both the UK government and the European Commission on the implications for business.
Negotiations between the UK and the six Gulf Co-operation Council states were launched last week by International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP in Riyadh. The key focus of UK negotiators will be on tariff reductions, digital trade, and services market access. Click here to read the BCC comments welcoming the negotiations.
Last week, UK Ministers announced four easements on placing CE-marked goods on the GB market and the labelling of UKCA-tested products. Read comments on the easements which were covered in the Financial Times. The BCC continue to engage with the UK government this week on pathways forward on this issue.
The UK Cabinet Office has produced a dashboard of retained EU legislation in the UK which it wishes to repeal, repurpose or amend in the coming months and years. This comes ahead of forthcoming legislation which will provide Ministers with new powers to achieve this.
The latest round of UK-US Trade Dialogues took place in Boston last week with a focus on SMEs. The next Dialogues are due to be held in the UK this autumn.
Grimsby and Immingham port - update from Defra
We want to assure traders that you will continue to be able to import via Grimsby and Immingham as you do now.
As you will be aware, Associated British Ports (ABP) circulated a letter on 13 June 2022, announcing their decision to close Grimsby Border Control Post (BCP) on 30 June 2022 and their current intention not to open the new BCP that has been constructed in Immingham.
We are working at speed, together with the North East Lincolnshire Council Port Health Authority, to put in place BCP facilities to maintain continuity of all necessary import controls at the Grimsby / Immingham Port.
We have taken this swift action because we recognise the huge importance to Grimsby and the surrounding area of seafood imports, including those coming from rest of world countries for which border controls must be applied before these goods can be imported into Great Britain.
We are also aware that there is a significant volume of consignments already en-route to Grimsby and Immingham. Trade that would have been directly and imminently affected by the decision announced the other week by ABP will now be able to continue.
Should you have any questions or queries about this in the meantime, please email traders@defra.gov.uk.
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