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International Trade News

Customs Declarations Services

From 1 January 2021, UK companies trading with the EU are required to complete Customs Declarations whether you are exporting to or importing from the EU27. A report from the National Audit Office in November 2020 indicated that customs declarations are expected to go from 50 million to around 270 million per year. ChamberCustoms is a customs intermediary with direct links to all sea, air, rail, road ports and terminals in the UK. We are ready to help you keep control while we do the hard stuff, and always acting in your best interests every step of the way. Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce delivers customs agent services for UK importers and exporters, of all sizes, in every region of the United Kingdom. With our extensive knowledge, reputation and first-class service in facilitating international trade, we can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods. The service is offered direct to UK businesses and through UK freight forwarders, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors. With direct links to the HMRC Customs handling system and all inventory linked ports, we can ensure that your goods, no matter where they enter or leave the UK, will be cleared for onward transportation smoothly. We can help you keep your time sensitive supply chains, moving efficiently and economically. We offer: • A high level of compliance and assurance for customers • Confidence on tariff and data entry to remove fiscal risk; backed by the technical expertise • A wealth of international trade experience and expertise.

INTERESTED IN USING OUR CUSTOMS AGENT SERVICES?

Contact the International Trade team on 01223 237414 or email customsdeclarations@cambscci.co.uk and a member of the team will provide you with all the information to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions

DO WE NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER FOR USING YOUR CUSTOMS AGENT SERVICES?

No, however, due to demand we are giving priority to members and/or export documentation customers.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS ASSOCIATED TO YOUR CUSTOMS AGENT SERVICES?

Please register your details and a member of the team will confirm these. The costs vary depending on the number of declarations you will be making.

WHAT KIND OF REPRESENTATION DO YOU OFFER?

We only offer direct representation. If you wish to understand the difference between acting directly or indirectly, please refer to the UK Gov Guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appoint-someone-todeal-with-customs-on-your-behalf

ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP US WITH T1 (TRANSIT) DOCUMENTATION?

Yes. We are able to offer this service. Contact a member of the international trade team for further information on how to get set up to do your customs entries and T1 transit entries. Telephone 01223 237414 or email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT TURNAROUND TIME?

Should we receive all the required information to complete your declarations, we deliver within one-two business days. If information is missing, then delays should be expected.

WHAT ARE THE SERVICE HOURS FOR YOUR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE SERVICE?

Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Exporters in the East of England benefit from record levels of government support

UK Export Finance (UKEF) publishes its annual results for 2020-21, which show the government provided record levels of support for UK exports. • SME exporters in the East of England secured nearly £25 million in overseas sales with UK governmentbacked financing • Cambridgeshire firm won £15 million renewable energy contract • UKEF provided £12.3 billion in support for UK exports, supporting up to 107,000 UK jobs UKEF’s annual report and accounts show the government’s export credit agency provided major backing for exporters in the East of England throughout the pandemic. UKEF’s support unlocked millions of pounds of exports for smaller businesses in the region. Through working capital guarantees and export insurance support for local businesses in the East of England, UKEF enabled £25 million worth of overseas sales to go ahead. One company supported by UKEF in the last year was Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), which obtained £15 million worth of funding for three clean growth projects. UKEF support enabled them to dramatically reduce the installation costs of the world’s largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea. CVE required financial support to support the development of high-tech welding technology, to reduce the cost of the wind turbine foundations by up to 25 per cent. UKEF committed in December to ending support for new fossil fuel projects overseas, aligned with the Prime Minister’s ‘Ten Point Plan’ for a Green Industrial Revolution. As part of this commitment, Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart, announced on 23 June at the International Trade Select Committee, that UKEF has created a new Renewables, Energy and Carbon Management underwriting team of 20 staff to ensure UKEF has the resources necessary to transact increased volumes of business across sectors like wind power, solar, green hydrogen, tidal, grid resiliency and decommissioning, as well as developing relationships across these sectors to maximise the UK supply chain’s participation in international projects. David Evans, Finance and Accounting Director at CVE, said: “Even though our export order book has been full of orders from the US and India, the economic disruption that has been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult to get all of the finance needed from our bank. “UKEF’s guarantee will allow us to deliver contracts with clients around the world and deliver on this project.” Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart, said: “UKEF stepped up when its help was needed most. Coronavirus put the UK in its most economically challenging position in decades. UKEF has been central to the government’s response and provided £12.3 billion in support of UK exports – the most in 30 years. This backing helped our nation of exporters keep selling to the world through this pandemic. “We are opening up the world’s fastest growing markets through the trade deals we are negotiating so that the UK can recover as quickly as possible from the pandemic. Thanks to the talent and dedication of UKEF staff, companies can now make the most of our ambitious trade policies. With a dedicated clean growth lending facility and the new Clean Energy team I’m announcing today, UKEF will help the economy grow back stronger, fairer and greener.” Local exporters who want to know more about UKEF’s support are encouraged to contact their local Export Finance Manager, Richard Hill, on customer.service@ ukexportfinance.gov.uk or visit https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager

Photo by Tyler Casey, Unsplash