Industrial action tomorrow at UK ports and airports

Industrial action tomorrow at UK ports and airports

At the end of last week we shared details on social media of tomorrow's industrial action that will impact UK ports and airports. Please familiarise yourself with the information below.

Also below are some important updates on the ATA Carnet service, forthcoming training and events and the latest trade updates.

If you have any international trade queries please email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk or telephone the team on 01223 237414.

Karen Cash
International Trade Team Leader
01223 237414
k.cash@cambscci.co.uk

Impact of industrial action TOMORROW at UK ports and airports

You may have seen reports that up to 100,000 civil service members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union will be going on strike on Wednesday 1 February 2023. HMRC members will not be taking part, but the industrial action will include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff.

The industrial action is likely to impact the movement of goods through UK ports and airports on 1 February 2023, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France. There may also be some disruption on the morning of 2 February 2023 as business returns to normal.

What you can do

If you are able to move goods outside of this period, then we would advise that you do so.

If you cannot delay your movements then please be aware that the industrial action could lead to disruption and delays at ports and Inland Border Facilities (IBF). You should be prepared for these delays and check with your operator before starting your movement.

You can also check IBF site availability online.

If you are planning to carry merchandise in baggage or more than £10,000 in cash and need to make a declaration

For merchandise in baggage under £1,500/1,000kg which does not contain licensed items, the simplest way to declare your goods is though the simplified online declaration form.

The simplest way to declare large amounts of cash is also online, following this guidance. If you cannot use the online service, the red point service at the port or airport will be operational during this period but it is possible you will experience some delays.

Important ATA Carnet service updates

Postage/Couriers - Next Day Delivery:

We have stopped using Royal Mail for Next Day Delivery and will only use couriers for urgent/next day ATA Carnets. If you decide you still wish to use Royal Mail Special Delivery, we will not be held responsible under any circumstances for non-delivery and this is at your own risk and expense.

Goods Movement References (GMRs):

We can now generate Goods Movement References (GMRs) on your behalf, for all GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) ports in the UK. The price is £50.00 per GMR entry.

GMRs are now used at most major ports in the UK, including Dover, Eurotunnel and Holyhead, and link your ATA Carnet to your vehicle when travelling overseas. As a result, this has become a fundamental document when taking goods abroad, and avoids any lengthy delays or issues being stuck at the border.

For any queries relating to ATA Carnets, please contact the International Trade Team on 01223 237414.

Shevaun Haviland joins ICC United Kingdom board

Last week the British Chambers of Commerce announced that Director General, Shevaun Haviland was appointed to the board of the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (ICC United Kingdom).

Shevaun’s dual roles in the ICC United Kingdom and BCC will facilitate the sharing of expert insights and resources to accelerate both organisations' vital work.

With new opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes in 2023, this collaboration will help to align businesses’ domestic practice with their international outlook, bolstering resilience at home while taking full advantage of emerging overseas markets. Read the full press release here.

TRAINING COURSES

Customs Procedures and Documentation
Wednesday 8 February, 9.30am-1.00pm

This course looks at the procedures required to deal with customs and the information that is required to be submitted to customs to enable goods to be imported and exported.

Register here.

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.

EVENTS & WEBINARS

Rules of Origin - Trade Preferences Explained
Tuesday 7 February, 3.00pm

Trade statistics show that UK businesses are missing out on duty waivers for their customers, negotiated by the UK Government in over 70 trade deals. Rules of Origin (RoO) can be complex, so join us to understand how to benefit from trade deal preferences, how to be more profitable and how to make your exports even more competitive.

These webinars are co-hosted with the DIT Export Support Service (ESS) who have been working across government departments to make RoO as easy to navigate as possible, despite their inherent complexities.

HMRC RoO experts will offer their expertise in a Q&A session and attendees will have a chance to seek clarity on any pain points they might be encountering.
DIT Export Champions will share their personal experience with RoO during their export journeys. This is an opportunity for you to hear from other businesses on the tangible benefits that come from taking advantage of RoO preferences.
ESS will be there to signpost attendees to new business resources and explain how they can be fully utilised.

The Chamber offer an Understanding Rules of Origin course that explains 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.

This training takes place on Wednesday 8 March from 9.30am-1.00pm. Full details can be found here.

CargoX and ACID Systems
Thursday 16 February, 9.30am-12.30pm

The Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce has the pleasure of offering this workshop for all Exporters and Importers who trade with Egypt.

This course is a step by step guide on how to send your documents using the new system CargoX.

This is a half day course and covers everything involved setting up accounts to sending trade documents in the new systems.

When you sign up select Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce as your local Chamber. The course costs £230.00 (plus VAT) per delegate.

Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards

Entries for the Department for International Trade’s inaugural Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards are now open. The new awards programme will recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.

There are seven categories for this year’s awards, which are split by sector. The awards are free to enter. Applications can be submitted here.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 23 February. The winners will be announced in mid-April.

Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia for women in business

The British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates is planning a female trade mission to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in early March.

During this trade mission, British-owned or managed business can gain invaluable insights into foreign direct investment opportunities, market entry intelligence, operational considerations and investor support.

Click here to see further details.

SAVE THE DATE

Global Annual Conference
Wednesday 17 May, QEII Centre, London

BCC Global Annual Conference 2023 will bring together business leaders, policy experts, media and government representatives to tackle important business issues and create lasting change. At the BCC, with our network of national and international Chambers, we are on a mission to help businesses thrive in Trade, Skills, the Economy and Net Zero.

Last week, Shevaun Havilland met with 14 EU Ambassadors and embassy teams at the German Embassy, to discuss our recent TCA: Two Years On document. A wide-ranging discussion was held on the Northern Ireland Protocol, trade, customs, labour shortages, green trade, digital trade, and relations with the US and China. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) look forward to further engagement with member state embassies throughout the year.

Shevaun also met with the UK Exports Minister Andrew Bowie to discuss the delivery of the Export Strategy this year, plans for a Trade Accelerator, and other export support in Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific.

The BCC participated in a meeting of the Cabinet Office’s Borders Expert Advisory Group. Decisions on inbound GB border processes are due to be taken by Ministers by the end of next month. It is possible that in 2024, the first phases of the Single Trade Window will be rolled out on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) certification and on safety/security certificates. We will communicate any policy developments in this area as soon as we receive them.

A reminder that the Competition and Markets Authority’s enquiry on introducing a UK Liner Shipping Consortia Block Exemption Order is open until Thursday 23 February.

Work is continuing on EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) legislation in Brussels. However, firms should be aware of the phased introduction of reporting requirements by EU importers on greenhouse gas emissions within imported goods (including from the UK) from 1 October this year.

Contact the Chamber

01223 237414 • chamber@cambscci.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce
Clifford House, 2 Station Yard, Oakington, Cambridge, CB24 3AH
www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk