To help us process your export documentation quickly and accurately, please ensure the signatory selected in your eCert application matches the individual who has signed the invoice. When certifying an invoice, the Chamber is verifying the authenticity of the signature that appears on the document. If the invoice has been signed by a company director, for example, the application must be submitted using that director's registered eCert signature profile. Selecting a different

UK exporters wishing to claim preferential tariff treatment on goods exported to India must use an Origin Declaration completed by the exporter or producer. Please note that this is a self-certification process. Origin Declarations must not be submitted to, stamped, certified or endorsed by a UK Chamber of Commerce or any other UK Issuing Body. HMRC guidance confirms that UK exporters and producers completing Origin Declarations must be registered with HMRC before making a de

By Siddharth Mukne Founder & Managing Director Ergo Europe Ltd 15th July 2026 will stand as a historic milestone in UK–India relations, not only for trade, but for the broader strategic partnership between the two nations. This agreement marks a decisive step forward in deepening economic, political, and institutional ties. For businesses, it represents a new era of liberalisation, unlocking significant opportunities through substantial tariff reductions across a wide range o

ATA Carnets officially went digital on 1 June 2026, with the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland formally adopting the digital ATA Carnet system. The transition has been highly successful. By the end of June, Greater Manchester Chamber had digital Carnets processed successfully by both UK and overseas Customs authorities, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new system. Between 1 and 30 June 2026, there were 5,257 digital ATA Carnet transactions involving UK-issued Carnets, high

SGS United Kingdom Ltd, the service provider of the eCert platform used by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, has launched a new website as of 13 July. The updated platform features a refreshed, modern design, improved site architecture, and enhanced security measures, providing a more streamlined and secure experience for exporters applying online for: Certificates of Origin Certified Invoices and other documents EUR1 Certificates International Import Certificates ATA C

If your business exports goods directly to buyers in the European Union, the rules for low-value shipments have changed significantly. As of 1 July 2026, the EU scrapped the €150 customs duty exemption. In its place, a €3 customs duty applies to low-value, business-to-consumer (B2C) parcels entering the EU from outside the bloc, including the UK. Here is a straightforward look at what this change means, how it impacts your business, and how to adapt your processes. The End of

The UK Government has published several important updates to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regime, with implications for businesses placing chemicals on the GB and Northern Ireland markets. The Chemicals (Health and Safety) Regulations 2026, which came into force on 21 May 2026, introduce significant changes to the GB CLP Regulation. These include the removal of the requirement to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of classification and labelling

NordLink Advisory, who work closely with here at the Chamber are a firm who work with organisations across Europe to support international trade, investment, and cross-border collaboration. Together with their trusted partners - Bid Masters (UK), MMEHR (Germany), Pomerico Group (Poland) and Németh Sigetty - They are planning a series of practical webinars aimed at helping UK businesses explore opportunities and navigate market entry across key European markets. Before finalis

Thursday 9th July, 11am On 1 July 2026, the UK Government and European Union applied new systems of quotas and tariffs through their revised safeguard measures on steel, affecting billions of pounds of trade in steel products, and downstream industries like manufacturing, engineering and construction. Both sides reached a deal in late June, meaning that of the EU's 47% reduction in its overall steel quota to 18.3m tonnes per year, two-thirds of UK steel exports to the EU, wor

From 1 July 2026, businesses importing low-value goods into the EU face a significant change to customs treatment. The European Union will introduce a new €3 customs duty on low-value consignments (up to €150) imported from outside the EU, bringing an end to the long-standing "de minimis" customs duty exemption that has allowed millions of small parcels to enter the bloc duty-free. The measure is part of the EU's wider customs reform programme and is aimed at addressing the r

First Class delivery is the standard delivery option we offer in the Export Documentation Team at the Greater Manchester Chamber. This service offers delivery between 3 to 5 working days, and carries no additional fee. Special Delivery is a next day delivery service that we offer for documents that are required more urgently. There is an additional fee associated with this service. We have noticed that sometimes applicants will choose the First Class option assuming their doc

The UK and India have confirmed that their historic free trade agreement will enter into force on 15 July. Formally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the deal was originally signed in July 2025. Following high-level talks at the G7 Summit in Evian, Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi resolved eleventh-hour complications surrounding steel import safeguards to secure the final timeline. With the launch date established, businesses hav

The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will generally apply from 12 August 2026, introducing new requirements aimed at reducing packaging waste and supporting a circular economy. The regulation replaces the previous directive-based framework with a single set of rules across all EU Member States, affecting manufacturers, importers, retailers, and exporters placing packaged products on the EU market. Key Changes Packaging minimisation – Packaging must be limi

Applying for a UK EUR1 movement certificate after your goods have already left the UK requires a retrospective application. While it serves the same purpose as a standard EUR1 - allowing your overseas buyer to claim preferential (often zero) import duties - applying after the fact means meeting stricter documentation standards. To ensure HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or the Chamber of Commerce approves your retrospective request without delay, you must provide a specific set o

What is an ATA Carnet? It is an export document allowing for the temporary movement of goods between countries without paying the associated duties and taxes. It is used for exhibitions, professional equipment and commercial samples. As the world moves towards digitalisation, export documentation is no exception. As of 1st June 2026, the Digital Carnet scheme has been live in the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland. This new system allows for faster processing, reduced paperwork

Deadline to Apply – 30 June , 2026 2-Day Exclusive Business Program, ALL EXPENSES PAID, round-trip flight, hotel, transportation, interpretation Osaka Invites You Osaka Business Development Agency (OBDA) and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) have opened applications for "GO GLOBAL OSAKA," an exclusive 2-day business matchmaking program, connecting international buyers with leading Japanese wellness suppliers. They are looking for International buyers / i

When making UK Certificate of Origin and UK EUR1 applications you may have noticed an adjusted formatting on Box 6 (in COO applications) and Box 8 (in EUR1 applications). Previously these were split into 2 sections, Marks and Numbers on the left, and Description of Packaging and Goods on the right. These boxes are now formatted as one free text box. The information that needs to be included in them is the same, but the way it is presented is slightly different. Line 1 should

If you’re completing the general list for an ATA Carnet application, it’s important to get the item descriptions formatted correctly. This guide focuses on electrical items. For all electrical goods, you should include a serial number in the description wherever possible. If an item does not have a serial number, you can enter “NSN” instead. Please be aware that if a serial number is not provided, you may be asked to complete a declaration confirming this. The Chamber cannot