International Trade Services
Welsh Assembly Government
The process of researching and locating overseas markets can reveal complex issues. Politics, historical allegiances, governmental laws, business regulations and geographical location can help or hinder business aspirations.
The Welsh Assembly Government created International Business Wales to raise awareness of overseas opportunities, overcome any issues and take away the fear factor of trading internationally. Acting as a driving force in establishing alliances between Welsh companies and their counterparts overseas, its vision is to make Wales one of the best trading environments worldwide. The organisation actively encourages companies to recognise and seize opportunities that trading internationally offers. It identifies foreign partners, facilitates introductions and provides ongoing project management support. Even small companies not yet ready to embark on international trade can benefit from the services of International Business Wales; the International Development Programme brings together like-minded companies from the same industry sector to develop their potential and to seek to build business relationships overseas. Companies can share ideas and pool resources in order to maximise overseas trading opportunities. Existing exporters, or companies considering exporting for the first time can have access to advice and guidance from International Business Wales. International Business Wales will work with your business, taking into account your company’s established culture to develop a tailor-made international trade strategy that is designed to:
• Develop export capabilities.
• Increase export performance.
International Trade Services - Chambers of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce have provided a range of business services and independent representational support to UK companies and organisations for over 200 years.
Almost every major town or city in the world has at the heart of its business community, a Chamber of Commerce, and strong trading links tie the movement together on a global scale. The UK’s accredited and associate Chambers are part of an international network. They exist to develop and strengthen international network trade links and to improve the competitiveness of their member businesses. They believe in two-way trade and are therefore approachable by any business.
British Chambers overseas are bilateral organisations with membership open to any business, British or otherwise, interested in trading with Britain. They are found around the world, but are at their strongest in Europe. Invariably they have strong links with British Embassies and their great strength is their ability to tap the knowledge and expertise expatriate businesses.
The BCC is a member of Eurochambres, the European Association of National Chamber Associations. Eurochambres
represents the interests of Chamber members across Europe to the European Commission and other institutions. It is also at the heart of the European network of Chambers and is developing more effective links to benefit Chamber members. The BCC and its member Chambers have good relationships with overseas Chambers and trade agencies. Years of taking trade missions abroad, receiving delegations, signing protocols, and organising trade fairs have resulted in Chambers having a vast network of practical working relationships throughout the world. The route into this is via an Accredited Chamber, and details of trade missions organised by Chambers and other organisations are provided in this guide.
Export Training
Many Chambers of Commerce play a leading role in the local provision of Training associated with International trade related subjects and a typical Programme of short courses will usually cover subjects as diverse as:
• A Beginners Guide to Exporting
• Export Documentation, Procedures & Practice
• Working with Letters of Credit & Bills of Exchange
• Customs Procedures for Importers & Exporters
• Buying from Overseas
• Carriage of Dangerous Goods
• Rules and Regulations involved in exporting strategic goods, arms and dual use equipment.
These Courses will be delivered by experienced and professional Tutors and the local Chamber can also arrange
other more specific or tailored Courses, if the need arises.
Additionally, Chambers can provide In-House Delivery of courses if the client wishes.
Overseas Trade Services promoted by UK Trade and Investment.
In addition to the close working relationship that exists with International Business Wales, the Chamber can also access via BCC, a number of overseas trade services promoted by UK Trade and Investment. For example British Chambers of Commerce organised over 230 trade missions and exhibitions to more than 100 countries last year, providing business opportunities from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe and all points in between, and generating over £370 million of follow–up business. Export Communications Reviews help UK businesses by offering culture and language advice enabling them to operate more effectively in non-English speaking markets.
Advice on Export/Import procedures
Your Chamber has access to a broad range of reference works and is able to advise it’s members on matters associated with:-
• Customs Tariffs
• Documentation Requirements
• Licensing
• Shipping Terms
• Methods of Payment
• Letters of Credit
• Export Documentation
The provision of Import & Export related documentation is a key aspect of successful International Trade and in the UK Chambers of Commerce are the officially designated authority for the issue of EC Certificates of Origin. Although the complete range of documentary services provided by Chambers is readily available to all businesses in the UK at reasonable cost, Chamber Members receive beneficial rates.
Documents provided or otherwise Certified include:
• Movement Certificates
• EU Certificates of Origin
• Arab-British Certificates of Origin
• Admission Temporaire (ATA) Carnets –passports for goods that are not for sale but accompany business trips overseas Import Certificates
These Documents are often required:
• To Meet Customs Requirements in the Importing State
• To Meet “Quota” Requirements Imposed by the Importing Country
• To Comply with Banking Requirements
• For other Official and Commercial reasons.
../With the introduction of eCert and aCert it now means that exporters can apply for Certificates of Origin directly from their PC. Using Passwords exporters can log on to the Web address advised to you by your Chamber, and complete your application on-line.
Within minutes your Certificate, stamped and signed, can be made ready for collection or posted to you that same evening. E-Cert Express is an additional facility that enables the Chamber to process, stamp and sign the Certificate on-line and return it to you via E-mail.
Typical Fees
All costs illustrated above are subject to VAT @ 17.5%
If your business is looking to expand into International markets, or if you would like to find out more about our International Trade Services, please get in touch.
Just a quick example
Company A.
Non members cost £33 per certificate + courier/ Freight forwarder costs = (a company I spoke to spent £255 on a courier each time)
Company B.
Members cost £18 per eCert and no courier/ Freight forwarder costs.
The cost of one courier trip covers a years membership!!
|
