Brexit advice for importers and exporters BCL257

Tariffs, Customs and more…

Should the UK leave the EU on 22nd May without a deal, businesses that import from and/or export to the EU will be faced with additional controls and requirements that they currently do no need to do when trading with the EU. In a no-deal scenario, businesses will be faced with making Customs Declarations for imports and exports, understanding commodity codes and the tariffs and duties attached to these codes, understanding Incoterm rules and the obligations, additional paperwork requirements, changes with rules of origin and possible implications to UK exemption from the EU trade agreements.

This programme will look at how UK importers and exporters trading with the EU and other overseas countries can prepare for these changes, in the event of a no-deal scenario, where they can find support and information and how to minimise the potential disruption.

Who is Gary Hayes, International Trade Manager, Surrey Chambers of Commerce

Gary is the International Trade Manager at Surrey Chambers of Commerce where he has been since 2015. Along with his team, Gary has been providing International Trade services, including their successful export documentation service, to over 500 Surrey businesses.

Gary has been co-ordinating Surrey Chambers response to Brexit, providing useful information and guidance to their 1500 members. Gary sits on various Brexit Intelligence and Planning groups providing business feedback to the British Chambers of Commerce and working with Enterprise M3 in supporting the Brexit Clinics being held in Surrey and Hampshire.

On the programme, Gary Hayes will discuss:

• Importance of EORI number and why businesses need this
• Preparing for Customs Declaration and options for businesses
• Understanding Commodity Codes and how to work out any potential tariff duties
• Learning about Incoterms and what you need to know
• Changes in paperwork and implications to rules of origin
• Implications of the UK’s exemption to EU Trade agreements

You will understand more about:

• Without an EORI, businesses will not be able to trade with the EU
• Options available to businesses with Customs declarations (Advantages and disadvantage of Self-declaration, using Customs agent/broker and using Freight Forwarder)
• What a Commodity Code is, where to find guidance online and how to work out the possible duty/requirements
• What are Incoterms, how they impact International Trade and possible impacts of getting these wrong
• Possible changes to rules of origin (UK origin vs EU origin vs Non-EU) and how this may affect their goods 
• Loss of access to EU trade agreements and the government’s plan. Understanding potential issues to businesses (loss of preference) and possible solutions.

Useful Contacts and information

Introduction
• Useful information and links can be found on the Surrey Chambers Brexit HUB – www.surrey-chambers.co.uk
• Download the Business Brexit Checklist from the Surrey Chambers website

EORI
• For more information and to register, visit https://www.gov.uk/eori
• Want to check if you have a EORI already, visit the EORI Validation Checker on the EU website.

Customs Declarations
• If you are importing from the EU via roll on/roll off at short Channel ports such as Dover, see if Transitional Simplified Procedures would be beneficial to your business.
• If you choose to use a Customs Broker/Agent or a Freight Forwarder, ask them what Customs Badges (ports) they hold.
• If you are already trading outside the EU, speak with your Freight Forwarder/Customs Agent to see what they are doing to prepare and if they can meet your requirements

Tariffs
• When searching for your commodity code, use the A-Z of Classified Goods before searching through the numbers- your product may already be listed.
• If not listed, work out the most appropriate commodity code based on the description of each heading and sub-heading.
• If unsure if you have the correct code, contact the Tariff Classification Service.
• When looking at Tariffs and possible duties, check both the UK Trade Tariff Service – https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/sections and the EU Market Access Database – http://madb.europa.eu/

Incoterms
• Get yourself an Incoterm Rules 2010 guide available online or from bookshops
• If the Incoterm is agreed by the salesperson, do they understand the implications to your business?
• Look at where the obligations and risk passes from seller to buyer – can you fulfil your obligation?
• Ex Works (EXW) and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) may not be ideal in no-deal scenario

Rules of Origin
• Begin to obtain evidence of origin for all of your components used within your manufacturing process
• Work out the UK origin vs EU origin vs non-EU origin of your completed product
• Do not assume that goods/components purchased within the UK are of UK origin
• Be prepared for possible changes to the origin of your product – may be UK origin now but may be deemed EU origin in no deal scenario.

EU Trade Agreements
• Currently over 70 EU Trade Agreements that the UK is part of including Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Canada, Israel, Jordan and South Africa.
• To date – UK government have agreed deals with Chile, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland, Israel, Palestinian Authority, ESA Countries (Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Zimbabwe), Pacific States (Papua New Guinea, Fiji)
• Mutual recognition agreements have been signed with Australia, New Zealand and the USA
• EU Trade deal that will not roll over on exit day – Algeria, Andorra, Japan, San Marino and Turkey.
• Businesses trading with these countries should plan for a possible increase in duties at import and export.
• Check your contracts – if preference documents required/mandatory, will you be able to fulfil the contract?
• Check your non-EU Contracts too as clause may be included if you are trading with Jordan, Mexico. Morocco, Egypt etc.
• Visit the gov.uk website and search UK trade agreements for more information.

Upcoming events
• Free Brexit Clinics are being held in Waverley (28/03), Spelthorne (03/04), Woking (05/04), East Hampshire (09/04) and Surrey Heath (17/04)
• Surrey Chambers are holding training courses on Incoterms, Tariff Codes and Rules of Origin
• For more information and to book visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk/events

Website – www.anthonystears.co.uk
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