A group of 19 members of the World Trade Organization, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia, have agreed not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions such as streaming services, software downloads, and digital media. The move comes after WTO negotiations failed to renew a long-standing global moratorium on e-commerce tariffs during talks in Geneva. The agreement represents an attempt by major digital economies to preserve stabi

The ongoing escalation in the Middle East, centred on tensions involving Iran, the United States and regional actors, is now having a clear and growing impact on global trade. What initially appeared to be a regional geopolitical issue has developed into a wider disruption affecting energy markets, shipping routes and supply chains worldwide. At the centre of this disruption is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade routes. A large share of global oil a

State of the Market The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce confirms a persistent and measurable challenge: 81% of technical vacancies remain difficult to fill, with critical shortages in cloud engineering, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Since Brexit, an estimated 300,000 skilled EU technology professionals have left the UK labour market, creating a structural deficit that local recruitment pipelines have not yet recovered from. For organisations with active di

From 1 July 2026, the UK will introduce a new steel trade framework that tightens controls on tariff-free steel imports. While the policy is intended to support domestic steel production, it will also create clear cost, supply-chain and compliance implications for businesses that import steel or manufacture using steel products. This article explains what is changing, why it matters, and how UK importers can prepare. What is changing from 1 July 2026? The current UK steel saf

Global technology supply chains are facing fresh disruption following escalating tensions in the Middle East, with significant knock-on effects for circuit production and electronics manufacturing worldwide. Recent developments linked to Iran have impacted key petrochemical facilities that produce essential materials used in printed circuit boards (PCBs). These materials including copper foil, epoxy resins, and laminates form the backbone of modern electronics, powering every

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

When completing a UK Certificate of Origin, it is essential that the weight stated in Box 7 is provided in kilograms (Kg) We have recently seen applications submitted with weight entered in pounds (lbs). Unfortunately, this cannot be accepted and will result in the document being rejected for amendment, causing avoidable delays. Why Does This Matter? The Certificate of Origin is an internationally recognised trade document, and consistency in units of measurement is important

The launch of a new US federal portal for tariff refunds marks a significant development for global trade, offering a long-awaited route for importers to recover costs incurred during a turbulent period of trade policy. Introduced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the system, known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), went live in April 2026 and enables eligible businesses to submit claims for duties paid under tariffs that were later

Following the US Supreme Court ruling in February 2026 that the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful, there has been discussions around whether these duties should be repaid to companies. Courts have determined that companies who paid these tariffs are entitled to refunds, potentially totalling between $100 billion and $166 billion. On Monday 20 th April, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will launch a system to p

We’re pleased to let you know that an update to the Exporter eCERT platform will be rolled out shortly, moving from Version 7 to Version 8. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to provide a more secure, modern, and user-friendly system. The update is scheduled for the evening of Monday 27th April , and importantly, there will be no downtime to the eCERT service. What to expect Version 8 has been designed to feel familiar, so your day-to-day use of eCERT should remai

As of 31 March 2026, HMRC has changed how British businesses track their imports and exports. The old system of paying for "MSS" or "CDS" data reports is gone. Now, every trader can access their full declaration history for free through the Government Gateway. While saving money on subscription fees is a win, this change comes with a clear message: HMRC expects you to be watching your own data. What has changed? The new service, "Get customs data for import and export dec

The Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) was introduced in April 2025 but was made mandatory by France on 20 th April 2026. This will be mandatory RoRo (roll on/roll off) freight travelling between Greater Britain and France, including full and empty vehicles. What is the ELO? The ELO is a digital port pass that brings together all customs and safety/security data for your shipment into one single reference. It is France’s equivalent of the GMR system in the UK. It sh

A significant gap in awareness is emerging among UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) moves toward mandatory e-invoicing raising concerns about business readiness ahead of a major digital tax transformation. Recent findings reveal that 91% of SMEs are unaware of HMRC communications regarding e-invoicing changes, despite early policy signals and consultation efforts. This highlights a disconnect between policymakers and the businesses mo

The UK government has announced a major breakthrough for British food producers, opening the door to Japan’s fast-growing £1.4 billion organic market. The new agreement, which came into effect on 1 April 2026, is expected to significantly boost export opportunities while cutting red tape for UK businesses. A Simpler Path to Export At the heart of the deal is the mutual recognition of organic livestock standards between the UK and Japan. This means British exporters can now us

Please be advised of recent changes to the parking arrangements for members attending the Border Force public counter at Manchester Airport. Manchester Airport has introduced a full ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system with barrierless entry and exit. While short visits to the Border Force office remain free of charge for a limited period, it is essential that the following process is followed: Park in the T2 West Multi-Storey Car Park (P3), on Level 1 or above.

Congratulations to our Export Documentation team at GM Chamber following their recent successful audit of certification procedures and documentation accuracy. The audit outcome is a strong reflection of the team’s ongoing commitment to excellence. Inspectors highlighted the high standard of processes and procedures in place, as well as the consistent focus on delivering a reliable and quality-driven service to our customers. Particular recognition was given to the team’s at

From April (Date to be confirmed), exporters will see a slight increase in pricing for export documentation services. As these changes come into effect, it’s important to keep a close eye on your Chamber’s eCert portal for the latest updates, guidance, and fee structures to avoid any disruption to your export processes. The eCert system continues to offer a fast and efficient way to manage documentation, so ensuring you’re up to date will help keep shipments moving smoothly.

After years of negotiation, the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has finally reached the moment that matters: delivery. As of March 2026, the deal is no longer about headlines or political symbolism—it is about whether it actually works. Signed in mid-2025 after protracted talks, the agreement is now in its final ratification stage. Both the UK and India are moving through the last legal steps, with expectations that it could come into force as early as April. That would