The end of transition. Help is at hand!

19th January 2021

At precisely 11.00 pm on the 31st December 2020, the United Kingdom left the European customs union and the single market.

A tangible sigh of relief was felt when the UK and the EU signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 24th December. 

The way in which UK businesses sell and buy goods from Europe and move goods across borders has changed. And Sheffield Chamber are your local trusted trade partner to help you understand these changes.

As an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), we are specialists in customs compliance for all aspects of moving goods across borders. From following customs practices and procedures to the letter, ensuring international traders understand their responsibilities when it comes to ‘doing it right’ and maintaining compliant documentation.

Like other Chambers in the UK network, we are also an authorised Customs Broker. Meaning that we are able to offer advice and guidance to businesses struggling to understand how the new rules will affect their business, their relationship with their EU customers/suppliers and facilitate trade by completing import and export declarations on their behalf.

It is fair to say that Sheffield Chamber have been inundated with emails and telephone calls asking for guidance and assistance. Many of the questions are the same or similar, even though the products or countries vary significantly.

The chief concerns include:

• Rules of origin
• Commodity codes
• Customs procedures
• declarations and paperwork
• Customs processing relief and part processing in the EU/UK
• Duties and VAT considerations
• Incoterms; Northern Ireland Traffic
• FTA continuity agreements and claiming preference

The list of general questions goes on.  Answers to some questions are still unknown, however the Chamber of Commerce network across the UK is a formidable source of information and knowledge.

The British Chambers of Commerce have set up an efficient and rapid facility to harness information. If there is an answer, we will find it and offer an explanation which will be lucid and relevant to specific business concerns. 

The EU-UK FTA was agreed in principle at the 11th hour. The detail is very deep and complicated and will be negotiated, agreed, and published for many months to come.

Sheffield International Trade Centre are committed to supporting business. We will continue to be there to provide support as and when new information is published and agreed.