many businesses are really at the heart of their community?

More than 60% of the operational firefighters across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are on-call. This means that they don’t work full-time at a fire station but have regular, steady jobs that allow them to respond promptly to emergency situations as and when needed.

Spread across 25 fire stations, these individuals play a key role in their communities and are vital to the resilience of the two counties.

By allowing one of your employees to serve as an on-call firefighter, you know that you’ll be helping to make a difference every time they respond to an emergency incident, help save a life, and protect the people in your community.

Interested in releasing an employee to serve as an on-call firefighter? For more information, visit www.oncallfire.uk/employer-advice or email oncalldutysupport@hwfire.org.uk

When should I forward a phishing email?

Reporting phishing attempts is a proactive way to help protect yourself and your business. Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their methods so understanding what phishing is and how to protect yourself is becoming increasingly important.

If you have received a potential phishing email you can forward it to report@ phishing.gov.uk . The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a UK government organisation that has the power to investigate and take down scam email addresses and websites.

To give an example, the current annual exempt amount as things stand for individuals is £12,300. From 5 April, this amount will be halved to £6,000, whilst from April 2025, it will be reduced again to £3,000.

These are significant changes we expected from the Treasury and it is clear that anyone thinking of disposing of an asset should consider doing so before the end of this tax year.

For more information or to ask any questions, Chamber members can email Giles Scott at Chamber patrons mfg Solicitors through, giles.scott@ mfgsolicitors.com

The term ‘phishing’ is used to describe cyber-attacks by email where the aim is often to make you visit a website or click on a link or an attachment, which may download a virus onto your computer, and steal passwords, bank details, or other valuable personal information. As our inboxes fill up on a daily basis with many benign emails, a phishing email may go unnoticed. A phishing attack can install malware, sabotage systems or obtain intellectual property and money.

Remember: Never click on any links within suspicious emails. If you do accidentally click on a link or attachment on a phishing email you should report this to your IT team without delay. Reporting phishing emails will help reduce the number of scam communications you receive. It helps to protect others from cybercrime online too!

Contact the Sutcliffe & Co Team on 01905 21681 to discuss additional ways to safeguard your business with Cyber Essentials Certification and cyber insurance.

Certificates of Origin are international trade documents that show the origin of exported goods. They are completed by exporters and are certified by a Chamber of Commerce.

There are two types of Certificates of Origin, United Kingdom Certificates of Origin which are accepted by most countries around the world and Arab-British Certificate of Origin which are used when dealing with Arab League nations.

The origin of a product is where it was produced, manufactured or processed.

It can seem complicated when considering items that have been made in the UK but using raw materials imported from another country. Here’s an example to help:

If a strawberry is grown in the UK then its of UK origin.

If logs are imported from China and made into a chair in the UK, then the chair is seen as UK origin as the logs have been processed into something else. It is important to know the difference between where something is shipped from and where it has been manufactured or produced.

When applying for a UK Certificate of Origin or an Arab-British Certificate of Origin, you need to provide proof of origin to the Chamber.

Not every country has a Certificate of Origin requirement but for those that do, one will be required to clear goods through overseas customs.

Even when dealing with a country that does not require them, they may be necessary when dealing with a Letter of Credit or a customer may request one for other reasons.

There are certain kinds of evidence that are acceptable on their own as proof of origin.

It is important to know what kind of evidence would be accepted by a Chamber when processing a Certificate of Origin. If you submit evidence that can’t be accepted, this could hold up the application, and has a knock-on effect in holding up your goods at the border. Examples of the kinds of evidence that would be accepted:

Manufacturers invoice

A Certificate of Origin signed by the overseas issuing body.

A Letter from the manufacturer on their company headed paper with clear product descriptions or codes. Evidence that can be accepted with other supporting evidence (at least 2 of the below must be provided):

Link to Manufacturers website proving that they manufacture the products.

Photographic evidence which shows the country of origin “Made In”

Supplier invoice clearly showing origin for each item. Email or letter from supplier stating the origin of each product.

We have many years of experience in assisting exporters and issuing them with a wide range of documents used in international business. We are authorised by HM Government and nationally accredited to certify Certificates of Origin (United Kingdom and Arab) and UK EUR1 certificates, invoices and other documents as required in International Trade and also ATA Carnets for temporary movement of goods.

Members receive up to 50% discount on most export documents.

For more information on any export documents contact us on:

T: +44 (0) 1905 673614 or email internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk

International Trade Courses

Basic Export Documentation (V)

1 March 2023 , 10:00-12:00

Incoterms 2020 Rules (V)

2 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

Export Customs Declarations (V)

6 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

Advanced Export Documentation (V)

8 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

Overview International Payments (V)

9 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

Import Duty & VAT Management (V)

16 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

What’s New? Update on Customs & International Trade (V) 20 March 2023, 10:00-12:00

Please visit the Events & Training Calendar for the most up to date information about all of our upcoming International Trade Courses. Courses may be subject to change from the time of printing.