When contemplating international trade, our thoughts often gravitate towards the practical aspects of exporting and importing. However, it's essential to recognise that the scope of regulations and customs formalities extends far beyond that. It encompasses areas such as contracts, finance, sales, VAT, the origin of the goods (distinct from the dispatch country), valuation, and free trade agreements; the list is endless. 

S&H News: 🔊 At S&H, we take pride in our team of international trade experts, who excel in every aspect of the field. Our OneCall™ community is dedicated to supporting countless businesses every day, offering practical and timely advice to help them improve their global trade operations. 

Discover how specific customs procedures can significantly enhance your business efficiency with our comprehensive 'Beginner's guide'. Learn how these procedures can streamline your operations and maximise your overall productivity.
Beginners Guide to Customs Procedures Thursday 20th July

We have developed a comprehensive course responding to the increasing need for specialised knowledge in export processes specific to the food and drink industry. This course aims to provide a clear understanding of the regulatory bodies involved, their roles, and the requirements they have for food and drink exporters. By participating in this training, you will gain valuable insight into product labelling, registration procedures, and reliable sources of further information, enabling you to navigate the export landscape confidently.
Focus on Food: Export Procedures Tuesday 18th July

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Changes Introduced in CDS Release 4.1.0
The Customs Declaration Service was updated on 24th June 2023. This is part of an ongoing process by HM Revenue & Customs to bring the service up to full functionality.

Tariff Suspension Window and Application Procedure
Tariff duty suspension, also known as tariff suspension or tariff quota, refers to a temporary reduction or elimination of import duties (tariffs) on specific goods in the United Kingdom. It is designed to promote trade and support domestic industries by making imported goods more affordable or competitive. It benefits UK businesses by giving them a competitive advantage by removing duties on certain commodities.

Update on Trade Restrictions with Belarus
When considering restrictions on trade, it is essential to check your commodity code(s) against the UK Trade Tariff to establish any restrictions applicable to trade with a particular country. These checks must be made on the end user’s destination, not solely the consignee’s location. Export Control Compliance continues to evolve; we have recently seen an update on how Military End Use controls could apply to goods supplied from the United Kingdom. This control applies to several countries, including Belarus, and further to the recent gov.uk communication on June 9th, 2023, there are further limitations relating to trade with Belarus. 

Northern Ireland Duty Reimbursement Scheme 
From June 30, under the Windsor Framework, the UK Government will implement a duty reimbursement scheme. This scheme will apply to EU customs duties paid on "at-risk" goods moved from GB to Northern Ireland, as long as the trader can prove that they were sold or used outside the EU. 

The UK Internal Market Scheme will replace the UK Trader Scheme under the Windsor Framework
Effective 30th September 2023, the UK Internal Market Scheme will replace the UK Trader Scheme under the Windsor Framework.

XI EORI Number Update
HMRC has written to XI EORI Number holders with a GB address, asking them to provide evidence of a permanent business establishment in Northern Ireland, or to let them know if they need to retain their XI EORI Number for one of the permitted reasons using the online form.

The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)
On 19th June 2023, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) will replace the UK General Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

CDS Exports - what you can do now
All export declarations are moving from our Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) by 30th November 2023.