Situated at the heart of Europe, Slovenia is a dynamic and highly open economy, combining innovation, advanced technology and sustainable business practices. Its strategic location provides access to markets across Central and Southeast Europe, while its highly skilled workforce and strong research and development infrastructure create opportunities for international businesses. For UK companies looking to develop new international partnerships, identify innovative suppliers

Ergo Europe Ltd has partnered with the German Indian Innovation Corridor and BioLabs to deliver the Clinical Roadshow for German and UK Companies in India, taking place from 6th to 11th December 2026. This is a structured one-week delegation programme designed to convert that opportunity into concrete partnerships. It is neither a networking event nor a conventional trade mission. It brings up to 35 curated German and UK participants — companies, clinicians, and researchers t

An ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows for the temporary export of goods without paying duties or taxes. Here’s a simplified flowchart you can use to determine if you can apply for one: 1. Do your goods fall under the following categories? - Professional Equipment - Commercial Samples - Goods for Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Yes ➔ Proceed to the next question. No ➔ You cannot use a carnet. 2. Are your goods being temporarily exported? Yes ➔ Proceed

If you are travelling with an ATA Carnet, understanding whether a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) is required is essential to help avoid delays at the border. While a GMR is not required for every ATA Carnet movement, road movements through ports and routes operating the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) do require one. This includes key RoRo routes such as the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. What is a GMR? A GMR is a reference created through HMRC's Goods Vehicle Movement S

For UK businesses regularly exporting goods under preferential trade agreements, Approved Exporter (AE) status can simplify the process of proving preferential origin and reduce the administrative burden associated with preference claims. Approved Exporter status is an authorisation issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) which allows eligible exporters to make an origin declaration on a commercial document, such as an invoice, where the relevant trade agreement permits this. T

Algeria joins the 1961 Apostille Convention From 9 July 2026, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for Algeria. Algeria formally acceded to the Convention on 5 November 2025, and the change now simplifies the process for authenticating documents for use between the UK and Algeria. What does this mean for UK businesses? Following guidance received from the Embassy

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