10 UK Export News You Might’ve Missed – Week 17
(Also published on LinkedIn)
In this edition of Export News from Expordite, we’ll cover top 10 UK export news and headlines from week 17 of 2023 – April 24-30, 2023.
But first, an update about Border Target Operating Model (TOM). Last week, I attended an HMRC session for CDS software providers and operators on the Safety & Security (S&S) TOM Policy. I put together a post with my key takeaways about the changes to the S&S declarations completion process and the Single Trade Window’s impact on them. You can read it here.
In other news, we’re thrilled to have been selected one of the Silicon Gorge 2023 winners!
You can read more about it here.
Now for the UK exports news from last week:
General Export News:
1.Record £1.9 billion UK-Poland missile export deal set to bolster European security
The UK and Poland have signed a major £1.9 billion export agreement to roll out a British air defence system across the European nation.
UK firm MBDA will complete the landmark deal with the Polish government this morning [Friday 28 April], agreeing to provide Poland with cutting-edge, ground-based-air-defence capabilities that will protect the country for generations to come.
The export win will also support hundreds of jobs across the UK, delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, and deepening ties with our key European ally.
Source: GOV.uk
2. New service launched to make importing easier for UK traders
“HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today (27 April 2023) launched the Advance Valuation Ruling Service (AVRS), a new service that gives importers legal certainty that their chosen customs valuation method is correct.
When importing goods into the UK, traders must work out the value of their goods to calculate their Customs Duty and import VAT.
Traders will apply online for an Advanced Valuation Ruling where HMRC will confirm the method used to calculate the value is correct. It is legally-binding for 3 years and the trader will use this information to calculate the value of their goods on their import declaration.”
Source: GOV.uk
3. IOE&IT and Alibaba share a study on the UK Export Landscape.
“The export landscape in the UK is promising. 80% of businesses currently export and nearly half (49%) of their annual revenue is generated from exporting. Nearly 75% anticipate that their export sales will increase in the next year.
The research clearly shows that exporting is important for UK businesses, with 80% describing exporting as “critical for the future of their business.” Meanwhile, 81% of businesses say exporting has made their businesses stronger.”
Source: The Institute of Export & International Trade
4. International Trade Committee issues final verdicts on UK trade deals before disbanding
“The International Trade Committee (ITC), the parliamentary committee responsible for oversight of the former Department of International Trade (DIT), has published a raft of reports on the UK’s planned trade deals.
Due to the reorganisation of government departments, the ITC is being disbanded and has published a wave of reports on its final day.
The reorganisation included the merger of DIT with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy into the new Department for Business and Trade (DBT).”
Source: The Institute of Export & International Trade
Food Export News
5. Call on government to help restore pre-pandemic pork exports to China
“In a letter published today the Chair of the cross-party parliamentary scrutiny committee explained that some of the UK’s biggest abattoirs surrendered their licences to export to China in 2020 when they had Covid-19 outbreaks in their facilities.
Despite since fulfilling the requirements of the Chinese customs authority, the General Administration Customs China (GACC), to re-instate the licences, they remain unable to access the Chinese market.
The EFRA Committee Chair called on the Secretary of State to lead a rapid cross-government solution to the issue, including by engaging with the GACC, in order to restore the pre-pandemic status quo of UK pork exporters’ access to China.”
Source: UK Parliament
6. Post-Brexit border checks ‘will drive up food prices’
“The UK government has announced plans to implement full border controls and customs checks for EU food imports from 31 October this year.
A new “target operating model” is being developed to manage UK imports of animals, animal-derived products, plants and plant-based products, and some foods and feeds.
According to the Politico Pro website, officials have told industry leaders the new post-Brexit checks on goods coming from the EU will cost firms £400m a year in extra costs.
One unnamed industry leader is quoted saying the proposals will “substantially increase food costs”.
Source: Farmers Weekly
7. Welsh Companies Tackle the French Food and Drink Market
“As part of the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Wales Trade Development Visit to the region, seven food and drink companies were given the opportunity to showcase their products to a host of distributors and retail buyers, all looking to secure new business.
France is the second largest export market for Welsh food and drink, and with the Rugby World Cup set to take place there later this year, it is being seen as a great opportunity to be promoting Welsh produce.
The Welsh companies who took part in the Trade Development Visit to Paris included Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits, Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products, Hensol Castle Distillery, In the Welsh Wind, Meridian Foods, Sims Foods Limited – SamosaCo and Tŷ Nant.”
Source: Business News Wales
8. STRONG EXPORT MARKET FOR UK’S FOOD AND DRINK SECTOR
“Businesses in the UK’s food and drink sector are ambitious for international growth and see exporting as key to their success, according to new research released today from Alibaba Group UK, in partnership with Institute of Export and International Trade.
The study of more than 3,000 businesses across the UK found that 81% of businesses in the food and drink sector are currently exporting. Over three quarters (78%) of these business owners surveyed expect their export sales to increase1 in the next 12 months.
85%2 of food and drink businesses said exporting had boosted their revenue. Beyond the economic benefits of exporting, the research from Alibaba indicates the far-reaching positive impact on the UK’s food and drink exporters.”
Source: International Supermarket News
Fashion & Tech Exports
9. 70%+ of UK fashion businesses are exporting – report
“The study of 3,000 UK firms by Alibaba Group UK, in partnership with the Institute of Export and International Trade, found that 70% of businesses in the fashion sector are currently exporting and 72% expect their export sales to increase in the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, 81% of businesses in the sector said exporting had boosted their revenue.
The research also claims exporting businesses are more resilient, with 81% saying exporting had made their business stronger; 79% of respondents saying exporting had fuelled innovation within their companies; 81% of businesses saying they’d increased their headcount as a result; and 77% saying exports relieved the pressure of doing business in the UK.”
Source: Fashion Network
10. ITS UK launches study into export opportunities for the intelligent transport sector.
“Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), the industry association for the transport technology sector, has launched a study to identify the key overseas markets, opportunities, and barriers to trade for the intelligent transport sector.
The ITS Exports Study, supported by the Transport Technology Forum, will investigate which markets are the top priority for UK ITS businesses, with the aim of informing how government and industry best support the sector in exporting more overseas.
As part of the study, ITS UK is asking businesses from across the industry to respond to a short 10-minute survey, providing information on their attitudes to exporting. The survey is for companies of all sizes, including those providing both products and services and is applicable to those who currently export and those that don’t.”
Source: Traffic Technology Today
Want to get more international trade content straight to your inbox?
