International Business News

East Lancashire Chamber shares expert guidance to help businesses avoid delays and stay compliant. As global trade intensifies and customs regulations evolve, the importance of accurate documentation has never been greater. At the heart of every successful cross-border transaction lies a critical document, the customs and commercial invoice. According to Marie Burrows, International Business [...]

For almost seven decades, the International Trade Club has been the cornerstone of support, connection, and collaboration for manufacturers and businesses trading internationally. The International Trade Club continues to thrive as a dynamic hub for knowledge-sharing and strategic networking in the import and export sectors. Founded in response to the growing globalisation of British [...]

What the Shift Means for UK Exporters Shipping to the United States Much has been written over shifting US trade policy in recent months. And understandably, many have grown weary of poring over speculative reforms and hypothetical disruptions. Yet there is one development that demands close attention—one that no bilateral trade deal, not even [...]

In the complex world of international trade, accurate customs declarations are essential—not only to keep goods moving but to avoid costly delays, fines, or shipment holds. That’s where we come in. At East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, we specialise in submitting import and export declarations on behalf of businesses across a wide range of [...]

Do you really know where your goods come from? It’s a question HMRC is asking more often and getting it wrong can lead to costly consequences for your business. Rules of origin are one of the most misunderstood aspects of customs compliance. Post-Brexit, they’ve become even more critical for UK businesses claiming tariff preferences [...]

The United States is set to eliminate the long-standing de minimis duty exemption for low-value imports under a sweeping trade reform law passed as part of the newly enacted mega-bill. The exemption, which currently allows commercial shipments valued at $800 or less to enter the United States duty-free, will officially end on 1 July [...]

Import customs valuation is the process customs authorities use to determine the value of imported goods for calculating import duties and VAT. The aim is to ensure the correct amount of tax is paid when goods enter a country. Customs valuation follows a strict hierarchy of six methods, applied in order. Each method reflects [...]

On 8 July 2025, the final session of the International Trade Skills Bootcamp delivered a powerful close to what has been a transformative journey for participating businesses. With expert insights, real-world success stories, and a deep dive into essential export resources, delegates left equipped and inspired to take their international trade ambitions to the [...]

The Agents and Distributors training session held on 1 July 2025 was expertly led to delegates on Skills Bootcamp by Mandy Lockett, International Business Director at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. With over 32 years of international and commercial experience, Mandy has built a career that spans the globe - working directly with agents [...]

The next challenge isn’t about tariffs or customs checks, but about the rising compliance costs and complexity of Europe’s new e-Invoicing rules. There’s a revolution brewing in the backrooms of British business. It doesn’t come with picket lines or megaphones - more like the soft hum of servers and the click of a mouse. [...]