January 31, 2022

On the occasion of the second anniversary of Brexitand with huge lorry queues reported at Dover Last weekthe BCC emergency call action to improve translatione with Europe.

With more than half of UK exporters (60%) surveyed by the BCC in 2021 report difficulties in trade with the EUan increase from 49% in January 2021, it’s clear .

of trucks piled up on the A20, waiting to enter the port of Dover, also provide a vivid illustration of persistent problems impact the operation of the trade agreement between the UK and the EU.

William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said: “One of the publishs in Dover currently seems to be linked to the export of food products across the Channel. Like many problems this looks be due to a different interpretation of how the trade deals work after leaving the Eyou.

“In this case wand agree that French customs require a handwritten signature on documents for exports of animal and plant products, but as many from Documentation is produced digitally that creates blockages.

“He is the last in a series of problems with the trade agreement which speaks to the broadest problems interpretationrelationship, inconsistentthe app and blatant gaps in its coverage.

“Anybody is waiting goods flow as freely across the Channel as before Brexit. Corn the How the trade deal is interpreted in 27 different EU countries is a major headache for UK businesses, especially smaller businesses that lack the cash reserves to put in place new deals based on the EU.

“Yet It doesn’t have to be that way. Iit is possible for the UK government and the EU Take a pragmatic approach and work together to reach new understandings on a consistent interpretation of the rules and to continue developing them.

“Accredited chambers of commerce support the British governmentthe ambition of at increase massively the number of companies export. Fregulate the flow of goods and services in the EUour largest and nearest overseas market, will greatly contribute to achieve this goal.”

Liam Smyth, Managing Director of ChamberCustoms, to addD:

“AT ChamberCustoms we work, day after day, with businesses to help them navigate the complexities of international trade. We have seen a huge demand for our services related to trade with the EU since the implementation of the commercial agreementand we know first-hand the challenges faced by companies on the ground.

“If the UK Government and the EU are willing to act on these proposals from the Network of Chambers, it will serve to improve business conditions and enable businesses to continue to grow our economy and generate prosperity.

The BCC has identified five key issues and the solutions needed to improve EU trade.

They are:

• PUBLISH: Export health certificates are too expensive and time-consuming for SME food exporters.
• SOLUTION: We need an additional agreement on this that eliminates or drastically reduces the complexity of exporting food for SMEs.
• PUBLISH: Some businesses are required to register in multiple EU states for VAT in order to sell online to their customers.
• SOLUTION: We need an additional agreementsimilar to Norwayit is with the EU. This exempts smaller companies from the obligation to have a tax representative and to bear these costs twice.
• PUBLISH: As it stands, CE marked industrial and electrical products will not be allowed to be sold on the market. in Great Britain from January 2023/4. The same applies to components and spare parts.
• SOLUTION: We need action from the rulerst to help businesses with these deadlines. Many companies are far from convinced of a prohibition of CE marked products in Great Britainhavenot.
• PUBLISH: United Kingdom ncompanies facing limitations on business travel and professional activities in the EU.
• SOLUTION: govtly must conclude parallel agreements with the EU and Member States to increase access in this area like a priority for 2022.
• PUBLISH: Companies starting to be prosecuted under import customs declarations carried over from last year.
• SOLUTION:We Nneed a pragmatic approach to law enforcement to ensure businesses recover from the pandemic not face clumsy also ask quickly on import payments, or paperwork.

The complete proposals of the BCC to improve trade with Europe can be found here.