International Trade news from Surrey Chambers, our partners and Chamber members.
We're on the move!As of 1st March our new head office address is:Unit 14a
Monument Way East
Woking
Surrey
GU21 5LY
International Business Day - Your FastTrack Opportunity for success in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is an exciting business opportunity for UK companies considering European expansion. The international and open Dutch business environment provides a successful gateway to continental Europe. Surrey Chambers of Commerce in conjunction with market experts Copernicus would like to invite you to participate in our International Business Day to be held in Guildford on 23rd March. Confidential and without obligation, your company can benefit from a free 45 minute individual consultation to explore the opportunities and support available to you. For more information please call Karen Nagaty on 01483 735544 or email her at
karen.nagaty@surrey-chambers.co.uk.
BCC: Move towards export-led growth not sufficiently strongCommenting on the November trade figures published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:“Although these figures show a welcome improvement in UK exports, it is clear that the much-needed rebalancing of the UK economy is not proceeding quickly enough. “Given the favourable global background for British exporters – with a competitive Sterling exchange rate and robust growth returning in our key trading partners – our overall trading performance is still weak. “To strengthen Britain's global position, the Government must support our exporters more effectively, as many other countries are doing, and it must reinforce measures aimed at ensuring that sufficient trade finance and insurance are readily available.” For further information please contact the BCC press office on 020 7654 5813 or 07825 746812. Notes to editors ONS: The UK’s deficit on trade in goods and services was £2.9 billion in November, compared with a revised deficit of £3.1 billion in October. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?ID=199 Trade and Enterprise forms one of the key campaign priorities for the BCC. Over the coming months, we will campaign for the political parties to commit to policies that make it easier for businesses to begin trading and ultimately expand into foreign markets. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national voice of local business. The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce, serving over 100,000 businesses across the UK, which employ over five million people. For more information visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk
Electronic EUR1's for SwitzerlandWe now have written evidence issued by Swiss Customs which states that the electronic version of EUR1 does not comply with the Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and the EC and, therefore, will not be accepted as a proof of origin document.Not only will electronic EUR1s be rejected by Swiss Customs but extra charges/fines will be imposed in getting original signatures added to the certificate, not to mention the delays this could cause to clearance of goods.
Trading with IranAt 10.30am, 12th October, HM Treasury made an order (under powers conferred on it under Schedule 7 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008) to direct financial and credit institutions in the UK to cease business with Bank Mellat and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), including its branches in the EEA. HM Treasury has given this direction on the basis of its belief that activities in Iran that facilitate the development or production of nuclear weapons pose a significant risk to the UK’s national interests. The Order will expire on 11th October 2010, unless revoked earlier.Details are available on http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/fin_crime_policy.htm. This doesn’t apply to companies which aren’t financial or credit institutions, but the UK financial or credit institutions used by such companies may not deal with Bank Mellat or IRISL. The HM Treasury notices explain what may happen if a transaction is in train and incomplete on 12th October PLease note that all those dealing with Iran must judge for themselves whether the Order applies to them and be aware that this message does not constitute guidance or advice.
US Border Searches of Electronic DevicesA new policy gives US immigration officials the right to search traveller’s electronic devices at will.
This policy applies to officials in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Customs and Border Protection Services. It gives them the right to “search, detain, seize, retain and share electronic devices, or information contained therein, with or without individualised suspicion”.
These powers apply to border searches, such as those conducted at an airport or border crossing. They do not require the traveller’s consent and apply even if the US is not your final destination and you are just making a connection in the country.
More information is available at:-www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/ice_border_search_electronic_devices.pdf
www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/cbp_directive_3340-049.pdf
ICC UK Public procurement SurveyAs you may be aware, ICC has recently initiated a new project with a view to promoting "best practice" in public procurement contracting practices. This work has been initiated in response to recent research by Rand Europe, which highlights a number of failings in the application of EU procurement rules in the ICT sector. Building on this research, we are keen to develop a clearer picture of problems faced by companies in tendering for public procurement contracts-- both in the UK and internationally. Accordingly, please find attached a short questionnaire which is intended to: (a) validate whether the problematic contracting practices identified by Rand's research are applicable to all business sectors; (b) to collect examples of such practices on an anonymous basis; (c) to highlight any other practices employed by contracting authorities that create inefficiencies in the tendering process. We would be most grateful if you, or a colleague, could take the time to complete this questionnaire. Responses received will provide an initial basis for ICC's work in this area in the coming months. Please send responses to me at: rachaelgledhill@iccorg.co.uk by COB Friday 12 June 2009. All information collected will remain strictly confidential, and shall not be disclosed to any third ! parties. Only aggregate information/anonymous examples will be presented publicly.
Click here to view survey
Saudi Arabia - New Procedures for Origin MarkingWith effect from 1st February 2009 all goods being exported to Saudi Arabia must be clearly labelled with the country of origin. A non-removable indication of origin must be permanently engraved or affixed to each item. Failure to comply with the new regulations can result in delays and extra costs being incurred at the ports.
Exporters who already have goods en route to Saudi can contact Intertek International Limited for further assistance, tel: 01277 359 770, email: chantelle.rowe@intertek.com, who have an office in Riyadh and may be able to help with any problems faced at Customs.
EUR1 Certificates for IsraelWe have been notified recently that Israel will not accept handwritten EUR1's - from now on they must be typed.
Potential Issues Surrounding Trading with IranWe have heard from exporters to Iran that some Banks are withdrawing services they were providing for business with Iran and legitimate long standing previously sanctioned business is now being blocked.
It appears there certainly are current banking problems with Iran. The link below takes you to a statement from the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce which outlines the liquidity problems in the economy.
We have spoken with Raheem Uddin (UKTI Iran desk) and Mr Youssef (Jo) Daneshvar at the BICC. It seems one of the Iranian Banks ( Bank Sepah) has had UN Sanctions put on it, but there are 3 other Iranian Banks in London operating at the moment:- Bank Melli PLC, Bank Saderat, Persia International Bank.
A further problem however, is that two of our own clearing Banks (Barclays & HSBC ) are not acting as clearing agents for payments from Iranian Banks. The BICC has written to the Treasury on behalf of British exporters but the Government response is that Barclays & HSBC are private sector banks and the decision is theirs. Now the BICC wants to try to get the Bank of England to intervene.
Mr Daneshvar was very helpful and offers to help any exporter with this problem, through the BICC. Exporters can also check the BICC website: www.bicc.org.uk for current trading restrictions with Iran and the UK Trade Invest website: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or tel: 020 7215 4834 (Iran desk) for the current trading situation and any updates. Click here for the statement from the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce
Important information regarding Arab DocumentationWe have been advised by the Arab British Chamber of Commerce that shipments are being held up in a number of Arab states, particularly GCC countries (listed below). Customs in these countries are now refusing to accept hand written export documentation.
To ensure a speedy and problem free service please ensure all of your Arab documentation is presented to us in typescriptThe GCC countries are: Bahrain
Kuwait
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
The Sultanate of Oman
The United Arab Emirates
International Trade EventsSurrey Chambers of Commerce regularly organise export documentation training, seminars and International Trade events. Our next event is:-Export Sales, Marketing and using International Agents
Date: Tuesday 17th November 2009
Time: 9.00 - 16.00
Venue: Surrey Chambers of Commerce offices, Woking Click here for more information on our export events and training courses
Electronic Certificates of OriginFor a quicker and more efficient way of processing Certificates of Origin via the internet, enabling you to print off your completed certificate within minutes, e-Cert eXpress is now available. To find out more, click on the link below.Click here for e-Cert press release Link to Export Documentation page
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