International Business News

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 [...]

Opening times for Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 for inland border facilities have been added. 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) [...]

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 [...]

International Trade November 2025 – Newsletter Issue 13 | 25-11-2025 The latest news from your International Trade Team at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce! Breakfast with Impact: Strategies to Protect, Promote & Perform Join us at the next International Trade Club Breakfast Meeting 27 November 2025 (0800-1030) for a dynamic and insightful programme designed [...]

The customs exemption for parcels valued under €150 will be abolished across the European Union starting in early 2026, with all packages dispatched from third countries now subject to normal checks, duties, and stipulated handling fees. This measure would be accompanied by a simple, temporary solution for the calculation of customs duties in the [...]