Exporting the right way

Author: Steve Baker, International Trade Manager, The British Chambers of Commerce
Publication: Export Guide Magazine
Date: 01/03/09

Access to expert advice and support is vital to succeed in overseas markets

It’s all too easy for overseas orders to turn sour if you don’t know the market. Every opportunity must be properly assessed, looking at everything from shipping costs to local regulations, to ensure that a profit can be made and identify any longer term potential for your business. Equally, it’s very important to know about export certification. What should be a straightforward process can be very time demanding and costly if not completed accurately; the accurate completion and authentication of export documentation is vital. Expert advice, support and research funding is always important to avoiding these pitfalls, but none more so than now in the current economic climate.

As an exporter you have already developed a successful product and now all you have to do is deliver your goods on time and ensure that you receive your payment quickly. This can be a simple process when you know how but understanding which document is required for each shipment to each destination can be overwhelming.

Your local Chamber provides professional advice and certification services to help make the whole process of exporting as straightforward as possible, supporting your business at every stage of the exporting journey.

There are a host of certification services available which can support you through this journey and enable your business to save valuable time, money and resources, as well as increase productivity.

Chambers of Commerce in the UK act as issuing bodies and are authorised by the Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) for the issue of all EC Certificates of Origin and act as agents for the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce in the issue of Arab Certificates of Origin. Chambers are also authorised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to issue EUR1 and A.TR certificates.

The certification services offered are vast ranging from understanding export administration to send your goods overseas; online document processing services; help in selecting an appropriate market and finding suppliers & partners; export strategy and planning; as well as local market introductions and visits, and networking events to put you in contact with experienced exporters.

One company to benefit from these services is Acme Whistles, a manufacturing company that produces six million whistles in 83 varieties - exporting to 119 countries around the world accounting for 85% of its £9 million annual turnover.

“Joining my local Chamber was one of the first things I did and turned out one of my better decisions. It has been a vital source of support, expertise and business contacts from the word go and critical to transforming a firm established in 1870 into a modern, cutting edge business able to compete in practically every corner of the globe,” explains Managing Director, Simon Topman.

Having survived recession in the 80s and 90s, Simon is well placed to understand the challenges faced by many UK manufacturers today. He believes prudence rather than panic should be the watch word, but insists that manufacturers should not be tempted to narrow their horizons: “There’s never a bad time to explore export opportunities. As long as you get the right help and support and approach each market with your eyes open, products that may be familiar in home markets can still be new and different overseas.”

Simon continues: “We use export certification services on a daily basis, but it is rarely just a case of picking up a certificate. On almost every occasion we also come away armed with a new and important piece of information, for instance detail on a change in regulations affecting one of our markets.” 

Over the years, Simon has made use of a wide range of Chamber export services and has been impressed at how seamlessly the services fit together to cover every aspect of international trade: “In the early days, we were regular attendees at export training days, which were pivotal in providing key people with a solid grounding in everything from market research to certification and letters of credit. To this day, we continue to send new people on courses that we know from experience are extremely valuable.”

For specialist help and advice on exporting, contact your local issuing body or visit www.chambercertification.co.uk.

A version of this article first appeared in Export Guide Magazine.