Support for international traders

GOING GLOBAL

The Chamber’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM can help you navigate your way through all of the regulatory procedures and documents that you’ll need for successful international trading

SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADERS

A new dedicated membership package from Milton Keynes Chamber has proven hugely popular with international traders.

The freshly launched International Trade Membership option has been designed for members with international trading needs, allowing members access to all standard Chamber membership benefits alongside enhanced support for international trading.

This specifically tailored package offers exclusive access to vital forums, and international trade seminars in addition to dedicated international trade advice and support lines.

Every international trade member will receive support to help maximise their membership in line with any international trade requirements, as well as monthly news updates and relevant, timely content.

The Chamber’s dedicated International Trade team and partners will also provide an Export Readiness Consultation designed to support exporters with signposting advice and expert knowledge.

As ever, international trade members will continue to receive priority documentation services and discounted rates for certain documentation paperwork, plus access to a free FX currency audit check, international trade

‘EVERY INTERNATIONAL TRADE MEMBER

WILL RECEIVE SUPPORT’ seminars, an International trade Chamber helpline, and general everyday international trade support and advice. Milton Keynes Chamber interim CEO Louise Wall said: “This new proactive service for international traders will provide an unrivalled level of business support for those who choose to use it. “We are dedicated to offering the very best service for our members and this adds to the already impressive list of benefits of being a Chamber member.”

For more information contact Sunny Singh at sunny.singh@chambermk.co.uk

HILLIER HOPKINS LISTED AS CUSTOMS AGENTS

Accountants Hiller Hopkins is just one of four English accountancy firms listed by HMRC as accredited customs agents.

The firm’s listing follows it creating England’s only accountancy-firm led dedicated customs declaration service designed to help small and medium-sized businesses continue to import and export goods following the UK’s departure of the European Union.

The Hillier Hopkins customs declaration service, the only one to be offered by a mid-tier UK accountancy firm, will help businesses with the documentation needed to move goods to and from mainland Europe and to Northern Ireland.

It will, importantly, ensure that businesses pay the right amount of VAT and duties if required. Duties will arise if a product originates or if made from a significant proportion of components that originate outside the UK and the EU.

The customs declaration service is led by Hillier Hopkins VAT and indirect tax director Ruth Corkin, an adviser to the Government, who sat on its Alternative Arrangements for Northern Ireland Committee and a champion for the access to HMRC’s systems for SMEs in order for them to be able to prepare customs declarations.

Ruth said: “HMRC estimates that businesses will need to make some 255 million customs declarations a year now that the UK exited the transition period on 31 December. Businesses will find significant advantages in having their accountant manage customs documentation, not least of which ensuring the correct duties are paid and VAT is accounted for in the correct way.”

While the paperwork is relatively straightforward to complete, HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) systems are not. CDS is difficult to access by businesses and can take upwards of 12 months to register and secure the software needed.

Currently, most customs declarations are made by intermediaries and freight forwarders. There is, however, a chronic shortage of advisers currently operating in the market.

Ruth said: “At present, intermediaries and freight forwarders often do not keep documentation on customs declarations for more than a few months, and that can provide real challenges for businesses when making VAT and tax returns.

“That is why the Hillier Hopkins customs declaration service offers a holistic approach combining both the documentation needed together with the VAT and tax supporting documents.”

Visit: www.hillierhopkins.co.uk