International Business News

Register your interest now with s.heywood@chamberelancs.co.uk or call on 01254 356454. Hot on the heels of the incredible success of the Skills Bootcamp in International Trade, the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is awaiting news to see if we have been awarded additional funding to deliver more Skills Bootcamp in International Trade in Summer [...]

International trade is full of opportunity, and UK businesses are increasingly looking beyond today’s challenges to what’s possible next. While recent National research highlights ongoing pressures such as regulatory change, customs complexity, and shifting markets, it also shows something far more important: businesses are ready to act, upskill, and grow internationally. According to the [...]

What Happened On 22 September 2025, HMRC secured a £4.7 million judgement against WM Morrison supermarkets over the declared origin of aluminium foil. This case is more then a technical customs dispute, it signals a major compliance and financial risk for UK importers. What Happened Morrisons declared foil as Thai origin. HMRC argued the [...]

Information for heavy goods vehicle hauliers or drivers who attend an inland border facility, where customs and document checks can take place away from ports. The facilities will act as a government office of departure (for outbound journeys) and a government office of destination (for inbound journeys), where hauliers can start and end journeys [...]

International Trade December 2025 – Newsletter Issue 14 | 15-12-2025 We would like to extend our warmest wishes for a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year from all of us in the International Business team! The latest news from your International Business Team at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce! Christmas Opening Hours [...]

Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now been delivered, with the confirmation that these exports [...]

A new open consultation is being launched, announcing the removal of the £135 customs duty relief for low-value imports and seeking views on certain elements of a new set of customs arrangements for these goods. The consultation ends 6 March 2026. Currently, low value imports (LVIs), goods with a value of £135 or less [...]

This newsletter covers the latest operational updates on requirements and border controls for importing live animals, germinal products, products of animal origin and animal by-products into Great Britain. In this newsletter: Lumpy skin disease: import of germinal products from Spain Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Argentina update GOV.UK One Login Borders Directorate Communications – new [...]

The 2025 to 2026 window to apply for duty suspensions is now open. The deadline to submit applications by is 11:59pm on Wednesday 4 February 2026. To apply for a new suspension, please see link below. Are UK Import Duties affecting your competitiveness? Often overlooked by Buyers and Material Planners and therefore underutilised by UK importers, here we look [...]

Rules of Origin and the Pan-Euro Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin (PEM): call for evidence. The Pan-Euro Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin (PEM) is a multilateral agreement between 25 contracting parties that establishes common rules of origin among its members to facilitate trade and support the integration of supply chains. It is [...]