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

We’ve been delighted to partner with the International Trade Centre over the past few months, welcoming over 40 women-led businesses from Asia and Africa. These businesses represented a diverse range of sectors, including food and drink, fashion and beauty. The ITC SheTrades Initiative works to remove barriers to women’s participation in trade by strengthening the competitiveness of women-owned businesses, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering connections with global

In the last couple of months, we have had multiple queries and requests for “Revised Rules” to be added to the remarks section of our UK EUR1 applications and have rejected many application that have added them. The addition of “Revised Rules” text into Box 7 of an EUR1 relates to updates in the Pan European-Mediterranean (PEM) agreement, which refers to EU EUR1’s rather than UK EUR1’s. In instances where you are being asked for this to be added to UK EUR1 applications, those

When getting your application accepted by us here at the Chamber, you will get a notification Via email to say it is ready, when you receive this; here are a few steps to make this easier so you are not getting draft copy down the middle Go to your applications – the application you are ready to print – you do not need to open it up Next to the application You will have a small printer button that you need to press it will look like this If you click this, it will then show o

The Customs Declaration Service will be unavailable on 28 th March from 8pm due to scheduled maintenance. This means customs declarations will be unable to be processed until the service resumes on 29 th March. GMRs may also be impacted. You can view the service availability and issues here . The updates to CDS include: Important Update for Cooking Sauces (Tariff Code 2103909089) where an excise code will be now mandatory Excise Duty Updates for Cooking Alcohols Both

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