International Trade

Customs Declarations are enormously important and a necessity for all businesses that import and export goods. We can help by making your customs declarations for you.

Paperwork related to imports and exports is complex and can be confusing. To add to the difficulty, goods will be subject to increased border checks now that we have left the EU, with any one of 26 government agencies taking an interest.

As an importer or exporter, making a declaration requires you to understand everything about the goods you are clearing from a customs perspective.

For more information, visit the ChamberCustoms website or give us a call on 01223 237414 or email customsdeclarations@cambscci.co.uk.

Out of Hours ChamberCustoms

Since 1 January 2022 we have noticed that many EU imports/exports are travelling across the borders under inventory linking, and many of these shipments are travelling overnight. Now that your goods have to be pre-lodged before arriving at the border, this means that if cargo inventory linking is required and the manifest is not raised until after 5.00pm, your goods will not be permitted to cross the border in the arriving country because we only usually operate a 9.00am-5.00pm service Monday-Friday. This may result in you incurring port charges and demurrage costs, particularly if goods are coming in over the weekend and will be held for more than a few hours.

On this basis, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce have put in place procedures for us to ensure any shipments going out overnight or at the weekend are covered by us on an ‘Out of Hours Service’. The cost of this will be an additional £10.00 (plus VAT)*. As long as we are provided with the customs declaration instructions by 3.00pm on the day of shipment (or by 3.00pm Friday if a weekend shipment) we will be able to process the declaration and claim inventory out of hours, ensuring your goods can cross the borders smoothly.

*additional costs may be applied if the information supplied to us for claiming inventory is incorrect, or other amendments are required to clear goods.

To be able to do this, you must ensure that you are providing the relevant container number, shipping vessel details and where possible the bill of lading number. This information is required in addition to any other information you would normally provide us.

A certificate of origin is a document confirming the country that goods were manufactured/originated. They are completed by exporters and are certified by a Chamber of Commerce.

All applications are processed through eCert. Click here to register.
You will also need to complete our Formal Undertaking.

Contact our International Trade Advisor on 01223 237414, or email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk, to get started.

An EUR1 is a preference document used by UK companies to confirm goods shipped from the UK have met the rules of preference within the relevant trade agreement.

Why is it needed?

To support claims for nil or reduced import duty under trade agreements between the UK and certain countries.

Trade agreements can be found here.

The instructions on how to complete an EUR1 can be found here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eur1-and-eur-med-movement-certificate/how-to-complete-the-movement-certificate

These Certificates are normally required for shipments to any of the following Arab League States:
Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen.

Some importers in these territories have special arrangements with their own customs authorities whereby United Kingdom Certificates can be used instead of the Arab. We encourage you to double check which type of certificate your customer requires. If an Arab Certificate of Origin is requested, this document may need to be legalised by the relevant Embassy.

Please call our office on 01223 237414 to obtain a quote for your documents and find out any special documentation requirements. You should allow two-three weeks for the return of legalised documents.

The Chamber offers a comprehensive ATA Carnet service, in conjunction with Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, processing and even preparing the documents on your behalf.

An ATA Carnet is an internationally recognised booklet of vouchers which replace the usual Customs declarations for the temporary movement of goods. It avoids the need to provide securities for Customs duty and simplifies the formalities for goods temporarily exported or imported. The ATA Carnet is valid for a maximum of one year from issue and may be used for temporary importation of most goods as long as they are to be re-exported without having undergone any change.

To find out more please contact the International Trade Team on 01223 237414 or email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk.

Register here to start the process for an ATA Carnet.

Here you will find a number of forms and documents available to download free of charge to assist you with your export documentation. Don’t forget, our team of international trade experts are always willing to answer any queries and can be contacted on 01223 237414.

• Arab Indemnity
• Completion Guide for United Kingdom Certificates of Origin
• Completion Guide for Arab Certificates of Origin
• Document Processing Sheet
• Egyptian Indemnity
• EUR1 Agent Letter when applying on behalf of another company

• Rules of origin for goods moving between the UK and EU

• Claiming preferential rates of duty between the UK and EU

• Documentation Rates 2025/26