Following Brexit and the terms of the transition period having been agreed, the way we trade with our EU neighbours, and indeed further afield, is about to change. At the end of 2020, the UK becomes a third county in the eyes of the EU, so companies who have previously traded exclusively within the bloc, will find themselves ‘importing’ and ‘exporting’ for real.

Membership of the EU has not only afforded us tariff free access to markets within the bloc and beyond, our regulatory alignment has meant that we have been able to import goods and ship our goods with minimal friction. Importing, in particular, as a third country brings with it a number of additional administrative and compliance related considerations that many companies will simply not have been exposed to previously.

What will be Covered?

• Import documentation
• Tariff codes, their importance, and impact post 2020
• Trade agreement considerations
• Regulatory compliance
• Licensing requirements
• Customs valuation
• HMRC compliance
• Changes introduced in Incoterms 2020
• Strategy for freeports and free zones
• Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Certification

Even if you outsource your shipping to an agent or freight forwarder, it is important to remember that it is your company that is wholly responsible for ensuring your imported products, processes and documentation are fully compliant with HMRC’s requirements.

This webinar appeals to both novice and existing importers as it serves to provide best practice approaches to all of the above and enables attendees to quickly identify skills gaps and training needs in order to optimally prepare for the changes ahead.

This is the fourth in a series of 11 webinars aimed at helping companies prepare for international trading post EU transition period. Future webinars include:

• Understanding international trade documentation post Transition Period
• Understanding the new UK Global Tariff and trading under preference
• Imported goods valuation for Customs – ensuring HMRC compliance
• The importance of Incoterms in international contracts
• Managing financial risk and getting paid when trading internationally
• Developing overseas markets and managing international partners
• Effective international supply chain management

This series of webinars is a partnership between Buckinghamshire Business First, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, New Anglia Growth Hub, OXLEP Growth Hub and SEMLEP's Growth Hub.