The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is shifting gears. From January 2026, we move from the "transitional" reporting phase into the definitive phase. For UK exporters, this is no longer just a compliance box to tick - it is a commercial turning point. Emissions data will now directly determine the financial levies paid by your EU customers, influencing your pricing, competitiveness, and supplier status. What is changing? Until now, CBAM has been about gather

In today’s fast-paced global economy, having a solid understanding of international trade is more important than ever. The Foundation Award, a nationally recognised Certificate in International Trade accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), offers professionals the opportunity to build essential knowledge and practical skills across key areas of global commerce. Our Express International Trade Certificate programme takes this one step further condensing six accre

Businesses are kindly advised that several offices and government departments may observe closures during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday period this week when looking for Arab Documentation. Businesses planning documentation, certification, or other administrative procedures are encouraged to plan their submissions in advance to avoid potential delays during this time. Please note that some closure dates may still be subject to official confirmation. UK Exporters are theref

When applying for a UK Certificate of Origin, it is important to ensure that the person submitting the application is the same individual whose signature appears in Box 8 of the Certificate of Origin. This requirement is in place to maintain the integrity of the document and to ensure that the declaration made on the certificate is completed by an authorised signatory of the exporting company. Why Does This Matter? Box 8 of the Certificate of Origin contains the exporter’

Jointine Products (Lincoln) Limited has seen their international trade with Boex cut trade document processing from hours to minutes. Digital trade execution is changing the pace of cross-border business. Cut Trade Paperwork by Nearly 60% Managing international trade documentation is complex. For UK SMEs trading with the EU, it can be particularly frustrating—emails, PDFs, manual signatures and repeated data entry slow down what should be straightforward transactions. Boe

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business organisation since last week’s Spring Statement and renewed conflict in the Middle East. While the current geopolitical situation remains highly uncertain, and could change the economic outlook considerably, the k

Ready to expand your international trade knowledge? Achieve the nationally recognised Foundation Award in just 3 days with our Express International Trade Certificate program. Our Express International Trade Certificate program condenses six essential modules into just three days, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of both fundamental and intricate aspects of international trade. This program is designed to equip you with practical tools and knowledge to avoid

The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom and India, led by the Prime Ministers of both countries, marks a major milestone in international trade. This landmark agreement is expected to unlock significant new opportunities for UK businesses looking to engage with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The agreement is currently undergoing the ratification process in the parliaments of both countries, with implementation anticipated by Sp

Please note that the ATA Carnet Scheme has been suspended in Mexico, effective from 2 March 2026. This affects both issuing and acceptance of the foreign Carnets coming to Mexico: • Suspension of Issuance: No ATA Carnets will be issued for temporary exports from Mexico • Suspension of Registration: Foreign ATA Carnets will not be registered for entry into the country Carnet Holders currently in Mexico should still present their ATA Carnet to Mexican Customs for endorsement on

There has been a wave of commentary around the recent US tariff developments. Some of it has been genuinely useful. A fair amount has been dramatic. When headlines start hinting at sweeping reversals or instant windfalls, it is usually the right moment to take a breath, step back, and focus on what has actually changed. The good news is that this is not chaos. It is a shift in how tariffs are being applied and clarification on how they can be legally applied. If you approach

Led by CEO David T Ginn, a small team from Charleston Regional Development Alliance ( www.crda.org ) is heading to the UK next month, to meet companies looking to expand in the US. CRDA helps businesses and entrepreneurs locate and expand in the greater Charleston area. As a confidential, objective resource, CRDA can help with talent identification, buildings and sites, financing, providing connectivity to supply chain resources, and workforce training needs. If you’re thinki

US president Donald Trump has unveiled plans for the next stage of his protectionist trade strategy, proposing tariffs of around 25% on imports of cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors — with the possibility of further increases later this year. Speaking at a press conference on 18 February, Trump said auto tariffs would be “in the neighbourhood of 25%”. He added that similar rates would apply to pharmaceuticals and chips, and could rise “very substantially” over time. Mo

Why payment friction is more than a back-office issue For manufacturing CFOs, global expansion should deliver scale, reach, and resilience. But beneath the surface, cross-border payments are quietly eroding margins, locking up liquidity, and exposing supply chains to avoidable risk. The challenge isn’t just complexity, but fragmentation too. Multiple banking partners, manual reconciliation, and currency mismatches are turning growth into a financial drag. And the cost is r

When applying for an ATA Carnet, timing is often critical - particularly if you are travelling with goods for an exhibition, trade fair or overseas project. One of the most common (and preventable) causes of delay is a mismatch in company details. To avoid your application being placed on hold, the company name registered on your eCert account must match exactly the name recorded at Companies House. Why Is This Important? An ATA Carnet is issued under strict financial lia

A UK EUR1 certificate is a document that can be used to help benefit from a reduced or nil duty rate when exporting to certain countries. Here are 3 top tips to ensure your application is completed correctly and to avoid delays: 1. If your invoice contains goods of UK preferential origin and goods of non-UK preferential origin you will need to do a Mixed Consignment application. This is when only the goods of UK preferential origin would be included in the EUR1 application. P

There is a major update for businesses trading internationally. Five of the UK’s largest banks - NatWest, HSBC UK, Barclays, Lloyds, and Santander - have pledged £11 billion to support British exporters. Working with UK Export Finance (UKEF) , this move is designed to make it easier for companies to get the loans and insurance they need to win bigger contracts and grow abroad. The Roundtable: What’s in it for you? To help local firms understand these changes, the Greate

It has been reported by the Guardian that a government-issued export licence, granted to send dual-use carbon fibre manufacturing equipment to an Armenian company set up in 2024, could be being used as a military supplier in Russia. The manufacturer said it conducted detailed end-user checks before receiving the export licence. This follows specific guidance that was released at the end of 2025 by Department for Business and Trade for the freight-forwarding, shipping and

Expanding into the U.S. market presents major growth opportunities for UK scaleups, but structural missteps around entity formation, tax exposure, IP protection and employment law can create costly challenges if not addressed early. Greater Manchester Chamber member Allentra is hosting a half day U.S. Expansion Clinic in Manchester designed for founders, CEOs and senior leaders responsible for U.S. market entry and growth. The session brings together U.S. based legal, tax an

Duo Consulting is a Manchester-based PR and communications consultancy for businesses scaling in the UK. The team works with internationally headquartered businesses that are landing, expanding and growing their presence in the UK, as well as across other European markets. With its consultancy-led model and experienced team, Duo helps clients build their reputation locally and accelerate growth. As a winner at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards