Import and export guidance across government departments are being brought together by a new IT solution; The International Trade Single Window.
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has been heavily involved in the project, which will see the guidance presented in plain English and a simple-to-use format. It also gives free access to schedule 2 of the UK online tariff and the ability to apply for licences and make submissions online.
The project is funded by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, Defra and businesslink.gov.uk and governed by HMRC. “The online tariff is due to go live in February 2008 and we would like your help in validating the work we’ve done so far,” is FPC ceo Nigel Jenney’s message to the trade. “We have taken requirements from many traders, but now we have the chance to test the application’s design with a wider audience.”
The online tariff will offer users the ability to classify the goods they import or export; and will include definitions of commodities, duty rates and references to the relevant regulations. It will be updated daily with the latest information from the EU and HMRC, and will provide electronic tools such as email alerts, book-marking favourites, and will enable users to add their own notes to the commodities they trade in.
There is no subscription fee for traders and the system is completely free to access and use. One of the major benefits to the trade is that it will be up-to-date thanks to daily feeds rather than the existing paper tariff, which can be up to six weeks old.
“We are very keen to ensure the trade is fully aware and kept up to date with our development,” said Jenney, pictured above. “This is a great opportunity for traders to influence how we develop and present the tariff and a great opportunity for businesslink.gov.uk to ensure we’re developing something that traders will use and benefit from.”
Phase 1 of the project launched in November last year and can be accessed at www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade.
The FPC is encouraging members to attend a meeting on October 9 with government officials working on the project to ensure it meets the fresh produce trade’s needs.
No comments yet