Port of Cork is ‘Highly Commended’

Port of Cork is ‘Highly Commended'

The Port of Cork and its partners were ‘highly commended’ at Tuesday’s Seatrade Awards in the ‘Deal of the Year’ category in recognition of its work in securing significant funding for the development of the new Cork Container Terminal (CCT) in Ringaskiddy, which will open in 2020.

The funding for the €80m project was secured from a combination of sources including the Allied Irish Banks p.l.c (AIB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), as well as EU Connecting Europe Facility funds, and self-finance. €1m of the total capital secured is allocated to a community gain fund for the Ringaskiddy area. Find out more info >

Ocean Freight services are ideal for shipments that are less time-sensitive. Find out more about: International Freight Solutions Ocean Freight Service >

Logistics expert warns ‘permanent customs union’ alone would not be enough

An international logistics expert has warned that even a permanent post-Brexit customs union with the EU would not alone mean frictionless trade with the bloc for British businesses.

Mr Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, explained: “The UK, as a full EU member, is currently part of the bloc’s customs union, covering its constituent countries and some other states.

“A customs union is essentially an arrangement under which nations agree to waive tariffs – import taxes – on goods sent from one member to another. Members also agree to charge common tariffs on items entering their territories from outside countries. Customs unions can take various forms – there are 16 operating globally, their details comprising varying mixes of cross-border integration and national autonomy.”

Read more from the online International Trade Magazine.

Related article:  The United Kingdom and European Union have agreed an extension to Article 50 to delay Brexit

Much needed road funding from the Government

Much needed road funding from the GovernmentWelcome news from the Department of Transport – £201 million has been granted to councils across England to undertake road maintenance and pothole repair.

This is especially good news for haulage firms out there. Damaged road surfaces cost the logistics industry millions in repairs and replacements. Efficient logistics is vital to ensure that Britain keeps trading, Reade more >

Please click her for more information about International Freight Solutions Ltd: Road Freight Service >

Proud members of the Bluebell Wood Hospice Business Club

IFS: Proud members of the Bluebell Wood Business ClubInternational Freight Solutions are delighted to announce our new membership of the Bluebell Wood 365 Business Club.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice are a much loved local charity who support more than 250 children with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions, alongside their families. Children and families are supported both in their own homes or at the hospice in North Anston. See bluebellwood.org for further information about their excellent work.

IFS: Proud members of the Bluebell Wood Business Club

 

Our membership will help to support the charity financially and also connect us with other similar-minded organisations and businesses.

 

Perhaps you could consider affiliation with Bluebell Wood for your business? For further information please click here >

 
 

The United Kingdom and European Union have agreed an extension to Article 50 to delay Brexit

International Freight Solutions IFS guidance for BrexitThe UK was scheduled to leave the EU at 11pm on 12 April 2019. However, a further extension to Article 50 has now been agreed to allow more time to conclude a Brexit deal with the EU. This extension will last until 31 October, unless a deal is agreed earlier.

For the duration of the extension, the UK will remain within the EU Single Market and imports and exports will continue to be subject to EU rules.

Until a Withdrawal Agreement is passed by the UK parliament, the legal default position for the UK remains exiting the EU without a deal. It is therefore essential that businesses prepare for all possible outcomes, including a possible No Deal Brexit. In this scenario your packages could face delays if you don’t put the right preparations in place.

In readiness for a possible Hard Brexit scenario, here are some steps you can take:

  • Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number: If you do not have an active EORI this will be needed for Customs Clearance, it’s free to apply and currently takes just a few days. You can apply here > Get a UK EORI number to trade within the EU
  • Commercial invoice: This should include; goods description / tariff number / value & currency / packaging details / weight / origin / EORI number / Commodity code. Invoice Template attached.
  • Know the commodity code of your goods: Commodity codes classify goods so you can fill in export declarations. You can look these up here > Trade Tariff Look Up
  • Record keeping: You’re required to keep records for all traded goods you declare to HMRC for 6 years. The reason for this is for duty and tax purposes, and for government statistics.

We also recommend that you keep up to date on finer details which may be relevant to your business at  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-and-importing-goods-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal and also https://www.gov.uk.

Download > commercial-invoice-template-230kb

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us should you require any further advice.