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HMRC is closing its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system on 31st March 2023.

• From 30^th September 2022, all import declarations will be declared on CDS
• From 31^st March 2023, all export declarations will be declared on CDS

Some differences:

• It is essential that you use the correct tariff. The code lists are not the same for CHIEF and CDS, the declarant must select the correct code, or the declaration will fail.
• In CDS most data elements are restricted to code format (other than name and address fields) which is different from CHIEF which accepted data in a free text format.
• A new dashboard to monitor and manage declarations
• More detailed customs information is required

“Registering takes time so businesses should start moving to the Customs Declaration Service to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruption to their business.” says Government Department.

To access CDS you will need a Government Gateway account. Most businesses will have an account already to access for tax purposes and this can be used to access CDS. HMRC has also now automatically registered EORIs on CDS.

Find out more on the new requirements for CDS

Reacting to the latest ONS figures on GDP for July 2022, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: 

“Today’s estimated rise in monthly GDP for July 2022 by 0.2% shows that growth continues to fluctuate considerably on a month-by-month basis.   

“The main driver of growth is the services sector following a fall in the previous month. However, the production and construction sectors have both seen a second consecutive fall in growth. 

“The UK economy faces serious immediate and longer-term structural issues which could lead to quarterly recession by the end of 2022, and anaemic yearly growth after that. 

“BCC’s research shows that business confidence is trending downwards, with inflation wiping out turnover and profitability for many firms and a record proportion facing recruitment difficulties. 

“Last week’s announcement on support for firms’ energy bills will have provided some reassurance to business and should dampen one of the key sources of inflation, but further details of the scheme are needed to restore long-term confidence. 

“The Bank of England face a delicate balancing act on monetary policy and while inflation is the dominant issue, further rate raises could compound the economy’s move towards recession.  

“Crucially, while the war in Ukraine continues, we are unlikely to see a stabilisation in gas prices, and the economic outlook will remain challenging.” 

Force Majeure are certificates attesting the existence of force majeure circumstances i.e. circumstances beyond the control of the applicant such as fire, flood, industrial disputes, pandemic, wars and conflicts etc.

Please note that we can only certify factual details that can be evidenced.

We cannot comment as to whether or not Force Majeure applies or argue such claims on behalf of the applicant.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to claim Force Majeure and the issuing body’s role is to provide a certificate in support of such claim.

How you apply to your Chamber for a Force Majeure Certificate

• Email a letter confirming details of the force majeure circumstances and the scope of non-fulfilment of contractual obligations due to these circumstances, signed by the company director, to [email protected]

• This will need to be backed up by documents by the competent authorities or verifiable sources attesting to the existence of the force majeure circumstances (not required if circumstances are related to invasion of Ukraine)
• We will produce a draft letter and email it to you for approval.
• The letter on Chamber headed paper will be stamped with the Chamber logo stamp and released once we have received the payment

If you have any queries regarding the details above please contact our International Trade Department, who will be happy to help you.

Telephone: 01603 729716 

Email: [email protected]

Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

On Thursday our Events Manager, Amy Wright, and Digital Marketing Apprentice Emma Jermany attended the Royal Norfolk Show.

The annual event returned for 2022 after a 3-year hiatus for its 175^th year and it attracted an estimated over 90k visitors and 700 businesses.

Amy and Emma spent the morning visiting some of our Chamber member’s stands including UPP, EACH, Norwich High School for Girls, Norwich City FC, Buy Local, Plant Grow, Barnham Broom, Anglian Car Charging, and not forgetting the Big C who had a great interactive stand.

They also visited the Beryl Bikes stand where they were offering prizes to win 100 free minutes by spinning a prize wheel.

After enjoying the RAF Falcons parachute display, it was time for our networking session at the Hospitality Tent.

Our COO Nova Fairbank and Amy Wright presented on the growth and Co.nnections for The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce followed by drinks and networking.

It was wonderful to see and network with so many Norfolk businesses, we’re already looking forward to the show next year.

A recent announcement from TV Licencing:

We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Her Majesty was the embodiment of public service.

We know that many communities may wish to come together and observe the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen and so the BBC is providing local communities a TV Licence dispensation. The dispensation will allow any communal setting where TV is not usually watched, such as town halls, community centres and libraries across the UK, to screen the live programmes without needing to purchase a licence.

We want to reach out to communities and those who are making arrangements to let them know that the dispensation is in place and therefore we welcome your support in making your service users aware.

By law, if live television or BBC iPlayer is viewed on any premises, those premises must be covered by a valid TV Licence. However, in exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance.

As the BBC Board has said, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a unifying figure across generations, communities and borders, who represented the very best of our nation. We are grateful at the BBC to have witnessed, recorded and shared so many of the special moments in her long life and reign. She will always be remembered with the greatest affection and admiration.

For further information click here.

Responding to the findings,  release of further details from Government on the energy support plan for business, Chief Executive Officer at the Norfolk Chambers, Nova Fairbank said:

“The latest government news will give Norfolk businesses a much-needed sense of relief from the pressures of rising energy costs.”

“For months we have been calling for Government intervention to help businesses with eye watering energy costs. This support package is significant and will ease the cost pressures that have been piling up on businesses.

“It will allow many firms that were facing closure, or having to lay off staff or reduce output, to keep going through the winter.

“But the exact level of support will vary greatly from business to business depending on the detail of its contract, so some will inevitably do better than others.

“We now need action to get this saving passed onto business as soon as possible – every day will put some firms closer to the edge and they cannot hang on much longer.

“There must also be effective legal oversight to ensure no firms that are due this money miss out.

“For those that will benefit, six months support is not enough for most firms to make plans for the future.

“We understand there are a range of unknowns for the Government in looking ahead, but without that reassurance very few firms will make plans to invest or grow.

“Some businesses will still struggle to meet their bills despite this government intervention, the Chancellor must prioritise those firms in his mini-budget on Friday.

“There are a range of other challenges that must be addressed including labour shortages, supply chain disruption, and rising raw material costs.

“To truly revitalise our economy for the difficult months ahead then there must be a clear long-term plan that gives business the confidence to grow.”

More detail on the Government plan can be found here.