World Trade Support
A world of experience and influence.
Essex Chambers of Commerce and partners such as East of England International and UK Trade and Investment, provides the County's most prominent focal point for the promotion and support of international trade.
Our up to date News Service spotlights information for those with a vested interest in foreign trade. We also organise Overseas Market Visits, which can be invaluable in supporting those tentative first steps and making contacts. On a practical note, our highly popular Export Assistance and Documentation Services help reduce the potential complexity of overseas trade. For those with little or no International experience, Essex Chambers of Commerce can provide tailored training seminars giving advice on all aspects of exporting.
Lastly our UK based International Trade Events represent the perfect way to make vital and valuable contacts. This all adds up to the very best international trade support available within the county.
Documentation and Certificate Express
Essex Chambers of Commerce is authorised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to issue and certify export documentation. Some 6500 sets of documents are certified each year. These include Certificates of Origin, Invoices, Agency and Distributor Agreements plus Health, Veterinary, Vessel and Inspection Certificates. We are also licensed by Customs and Excise to issue movement certificates, ATR's and EUR1's on their behalf.
The Chambers can provide a "while you wait" or postal service for EC Documentation. We can also provide you with a Legalisation Service to most countries including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Essex Chambers of Commerce is an agent for the Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce allowing us to deal with the certification and legislation of all commercial Egyptian documentation. Also the Chambers is an agent for the Arab British Chambers of Commerce. This enables the Chambers to deal with the Certification and Legislation process for Arab documents.
European Certificates (E-Certs) and Arab Certificates (A-Certs) are now available online to Members. Please see below for a list of certificates available through this service.
Please contact your Chambers World Trade department for further information.
Online Certification
The efficient and accurate management of export certificates can be crucial for businesses engaged in overseas trade. The Essex Chambers of Commerce Certificate eXpress Service makes the process easier, faster, cheaper and more secure. As Key information is securely stored, repeat certificates or adaptations are easily generated.
Please contact your Chambers World Trade department for further information.
Blank forms availability
The following blank forms can be provided:
- EC CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
- ARAB CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN AND COPIES
- STANDARD SHIPPING NOTE
- DANGEROUS GOODS NOTE
- CUSTOMS FORMS: EUR1/EUR2/ATR/C88
- C16/C61/DA59 + Form 18 - Emergency Supply only.
Please contact your Chambers World Trade department for further information.
Export Assistance
On behalf of our Members and Associates, and working in conjunction with partner organisations, we are able to provide or signpost a wide range of support and practical advice in relation to overseas trade. In recent years, Essex Chambers of Commerce has played a key role in helping Essex companies develop trade with China, Mexico, the Nordics, Arab States and the United Nations. Through these market visits we have helped Essex companies win export orders worth over £8m.Please contact your Chambers World Trade department for further information.
Passport to export
If you have the potential to expand by developing your business internationally and can demonstrate real commitment the Passport to Export programme will support you all the way. There are three steps: International Business Review - checking whether you can achieve international business growth; Ensuring Capability - giving you the confidence and the right skills to know what to do; and Managed Market Entry - helping to accelerate and smooth the process by ensuring the way is prepared.
Contact: 0845 641 9955 email: trade@eeia.com visit: www.eei-online.com
SITPRO
Making International Trade Procedures
easier for you.
SITPRO offers a free helpdesk to answer
your questions about international trade procedures and documentation.
Contact: 020 7215 8150 email: helpdesk@sitpro.org.uk website: www.sitpro.org.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
This is where you'll find information on all our key roles from supporting British nationals overseas to promoting British business to legalising documents. Contact: 0207 008 1500 www.fco.gov.ukExport Licences
If you are planning to export goods you should first check whether an export licence is required. Information relating to export licences is available at ecochecker.Overseas contacts - OMIS
OMIS opens the door to a wealth of practical support, advice and key market information. It guides you through the process of breaking into a new overseas market, providing all the help you need at every stage, from initial research to making your first market visit. This is a flexible business tool enabling direct communication between you and any of UKTI's commercial teams located in the global network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates.
Contact: 0845 641 995 email: trade@eeia.com visit: www.eei-online.com
International Business Review
If you are considering exporting for the first time or would like to increase your overseas sales, experienced International Trade Advisers from East of England International can assist you. They will visit you at your premises to discuss your current situation and will help you devise an international business plan.
Contact: 0845 641 9955 email: trade@eei.com visit: www.eei-online.com
European Information
The European Information Centre for the Eastern Regions has many services. Information is available on legislations and business opportunities together with a Tender Alert and Grantfinder service.
Contact: 01707 398 024 email: info@hertseic.co.uk visit: www.hertseic.co.uk
Europa - The European Union Online
This service explains what the European Community does, listed by subject, and offers a guide to EU institutions. It also features an online library service, a document location guide and other services.
Contact: www.europa.eu.int
Export Market Research Scheme
UK Trade & Investment provides support to
companies to undertake export marketing research through the Export Marketing
Research Scheme, managed by The British Chambers of Commerce.
Hundreds of companies each year access free, professional and independent
advice about researching export markets and receive financial subsidies of up
to 50% towards marketing research costs.
Contact: 07815 811494 email: j.macken@britishchambers.org
Export Communications Review
This scheme sets out to help exporters understand and avoid linguistic and cultural barriers to communication that can be encountered in overseas markets.
Contact: 024 7669 4484 visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk
Customs and Excise
Import
and export guides available as well as information on EU VAT and Trade
statistics.
Contact: 0845 010 9000 visit: www.hmrc.gov.uk
The UK Trade Tariff
If you are importing or exporting goods, you'll need to classify your goods for the purposes of Customs declarations and for calculating the correct amount of duty, VAT and excise.
Patent and Trademark Research
Business Links Information Service professional have access to industry respected patent and trademark databases and can help you with a comprehensive search. The trademark research service is available to any business wishing to protect their domain name and trademarks.
Contact: 08457 171 615 or visit: www.businesslinkeast.org.ukEssex Links to China
Essex has a longstanding and close relationship with Jiangsu Province, China, part of the economic powerhouse of the Yangtze River Delta region. This has proved very beneficial to many businesses. Essex businesses are represented at a regional office in Jiangsu itself and nearer home in Chelmsford.
Contact: Mr Fan Zhigang 01245 702 466
or email: fan.zhigang@exdra.co.uk
China-Britain Business Council
The CBBC is the UK's leading independent source of China business information, advice, consultancy and services, They have a network of offices in the UK and in China. Included in the wealth of information that CBBC provides are guides to importing, exporting and sourcing goods from China.
Contact: 01787 310 245 email: chris.cotton@cbbc.org visit: www.cbbc.org