Sheffield Chamber Launches New and Expanded International Trade Service

5th April 2019

Today Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of its new international trade service offer.

Formerly known as South Yorkshire International Trade Centre the new body, which will be the Sheffield International Trade Centre (SITC), will be a one stop shop for everything a business needs to trade internationally. It has added a suite of new services to reflect the changing face of international trade, predominantly driven by requirements from the World Customs Organisation (WCO) which is seeking to get tighter monitoring of any shipment between every country according to the WCO safe framework initiative of 2015 and the European customs code changes of May 2016. The new body will provide services to businesses in Sheffield, regionally and nationally as required. Brenda Jordan, Chief Operating Officer, said: "Over the last 12 months we have invested heavily in expanding our service offering and capacity. We are proud to compliment our traditional documentation service with much more specialist help in areas like letters of credit, consultancy and an import and export management service for our customers. The world is changing rapidly, and the review of our strategy ensures we have services to support these changes. Nick Patrick, Head of International Trade, added: -Between now and 2025, new systems will be put into place on a global scale that all companies, importing or exporting will have to comply with. Regardless with what is happening in Europe and Brexit, this is a global change. Over the last few years, the Sheffield International Trade Centre has been developing new practices and systems that enable us to offer first class consultancy services in view of the changing compliance requirements. -Our Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) consultancy service already has a successful track record helping a number of companies achieve Registered Exporter (REX), Authorised Exporter Status (AES) and Authorised Economic Operator trusted trader status. Our international trade department's application for REX was approved in September 2018. We have in house expertise in the booking of imports and export declarations on the new international computerised system, and we will continue to develop a comprehensive range of services to support businesses trading by delivering a full door to door service using our local shipping agents this will include customs brokerage and trade facilitation. Richard Wright, Policy and Representation Director, also added: "Very few businesses will be able to rely on traditional markets for ever. Europe is important but it is not growing. The new markets will be Asia, India and Africa and the growth of the middle classes is phenomenal. Sheffield businesses will need to get a share of that opportunity. -Part of the offer from SITC is connecting our local businesses with those opportunities using a network of specialist agents located in many strategic parts of the world. We have some exceptional case studies where local businesses have picked up multimillion-pound contracts and which we are justifiably proud of because we are a leading Chamber within our network in the country at doing this." Businesses and members wishing to increase their international trade, or who need help in changing to the new requirements are advised to call 0114 201 8888, email international@scci.org.uk or visit www.scci.org.uk/international On the 15th April our partners from 10 countries of the ASEAN economic area will be in Sheffield and on the 17th April our partners from Chile and Peru will be at the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. 1:1 meetings will be arranged for companies who are interested in developing trade in these non-European high growth important global markets. To book, register on-line at www.scci.org.uk/events Caption (L-R): Sheffield International Trade team Nicola Lomas, Yulia Briscoe, Nick Patrick, Melanie Rippon, Janet Iceton and Jenna Selwood

You might also be interested in

Firms Face Increasing Cyber Security Risk

Wed 5th February 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is warning that businesses face increased cyber security risks without stronger engagement with government.

EU Reset Must Drive Growth

Tue 4th February 2025

On the fifth anniversary of Brexit, the BCC is calling on the Government to use its planned EU reset to achieve concrete change and help drive UK economic growth.

Sheffield Hallam strikes up partnership with Decathlon to design UEFA match balls

Thu 30th January 2025

Sports engineering experts from Sheffield Hallam University have teamed up with Decathlon UK to design and develop the official match balls for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.

Freeths advises Zuber Issa on purchase of Applegreen petrol stations

Thu 30th January 2025

Leading law firm Freeths has advised Zuber Issa, CEO of EG On The Move, on the acquisition of Applegreen’s 98 petrol filling stations across the UK, boosting its forecourt presence across the UK.