International Trade eLearning Suite for SMEs-InTeLS

FAQs for Potential Importers

Q. Where can I get advice about importing

A. The HMRC have created an information pack as a basic guide to anyone wishing to import (or export) goods. It acts as a guide to help anyone get started on importing and also provides a better understanding of the procedures involved in these activities.

Q. Where would I find online regulatory information about importing into the UK?

A. The Europe, International Trade and Development Directorate of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) together with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) advise and deal with a range of trade policy, regimes, procedural issues governing imports into the UK

Click on the links below to find contacts and details on key issues of concern to importers as follows:

Import Tariffs

Import Licensing

Duty Suspensions and Tariff Quotas including information on making applications,procedures & other EU Schemes involving duty relief.

Q Where can I get access to relevant EU law?

A EUR-Lex provides direct free access to European Union law. Here you can consult the Official Journal of the European Union as well as the treaties, legislation, case-law and legislative proposals

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm

Q. What is the TARIC database?

TARIC - The online customs tariff database, also called the TARIC, is a multilingual database in which are integrated all measures relating to tariff, commercial and agricultural legislation. By integrating and coding these measures, the TARIC secures their uniform application by all Member States and gives all economic operators a clear view of all measures to be undertaken when importing or exporting goods. It also makes it possible to collect Community-wide statistics for the measures concerned.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm

Q. Is there a European help desk facility for importers into Europe?

The Export Helpdesk is an online service, provided by the European Commission, to facilitate market access for developing countries to the European Union -  http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/global/development/thd_en.htm

This free and user friendly service for exporters, importers, trade associations and governments, provides the following online:

·        Information on EU and Member States' import requirements as well as internal taxes applicable to products;

·        Information on import tariffs and other import measures;

·        Information on EU preferential import regimes benefiting developing countries;

·        Trade data for the EU and its individual Member States;

·        Links to other authorities and international organisations involved in practical trade operations and trade promotion;

These details can also be accessed via -

http://exporthelp.europa.eu/display.cfm?page=intro/intro_Welcome.html&docType=main&languageId=EN