When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union and the EU Customs Union many UK businesses trading inside the EU Single Market at present, will become “new” exporters. Arne Mielken, Young President of the Institute of Export & International Trade, explores the preparations vital for managing this process.
Is your company ready to become a UK post-Brexit exporter?
Legally speaking, at present, with no customs duties levied on goods travelling within the customs union, UK and Continental EU, UK traders are not required to know about how to file customs declarations, declare the correct Harmonized System Code, or worry about finding the correct customs value or procedure code.
They also do not need to worry much about import and export controls when sending goods from Harwich to Zeebrugge, or determine the appropriate trade documentation, set up a financial guarantee or consider the non-preferential or preferential origin on the goods.
When the UK leaves the Customs Union, as the UK “overnight” increases its number of exporters, companies will need to significantly upskill their employees and equip them with the expertise to harness the wealth of opportunities in international trade.
The right education to become a professional exporter
The Institute of Export & International Trade – the only professional body in the UK providing Ofqual recognised, formal qualifications in International Trade – offers a series of career enhancing educational courses.
Providing a viable, cost effective and flexible opportunity for higher educational study, the IOE’s wide-ranging qualifications are designed to meet the needs of all students, regardless of age or experience.
Created by a team of industry experts, designed to fit around a full-time career and delivered through distance learning complemented by tutor and mentor support, webinar and online tutorials, IOE qualifications can benefit those already working in international trade along with experienced learners and students wishing to embark on a trade degree. From (Advanced) Certificates in International Trade, to the Diploma in World Customs Compliance and Regulations, Foundation Degrees or the BSc (Hons) Management practice (International Trade) and the MSc in International Trade, Strategy and Operations, the IOE, and an Ofqual regulated institution, is ready to get you ready for taking on the exporting challenge.
Continuous exchange and learning opportunities
As a member of the Institute of Export & International Trade, graduate or not, you can tap into an exclusive support system from a Helpline with technical help to master even the most difficult queries to workshops, seminars and conferences to help you broaden your export horizons.
Take the IOE’s World Trade Summit of October for example. A vibrant line up of industry specialists and experts at the Institute’s exclusive World Trade Summit 2016,”The Commonwealth & Beyond” event on 12 October at gave IOE members much to think about the ever-changing business environment. Gresham College discussed the big issues that businesses and the Government must get to grips with in shaping international trade, export opportunities, dealing with Brexit and globalisation.
IOE member exclusive event: World Trade Summit 2016,”The Commonwealth & Beyond”
I vividly remember Lord Marland’s, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and former government Trade Envoy, upbeat keynote address. He said that exporting should become part of UK companies’ DNA again, after relying on strong domestic markets for too long. He also said that we must consider new export markets as part of our contingency planning. Adding that the Commonwealth, which has a third of the world’s population, offers huge opportunities, he reported that culture, language and legal links make it 19% cheaper for member countries to deal with each other than with other nations. Fellow speakers urged delegates to consider possible challenges following departure of the EU. These included the fact that the UK must negotiate an individual membership with the World Trade Organization that will have to be agreed by all 164 members, as well as the lack of international appetite for free trade agreements – and little experience within government for convening them.
Heavyweight thought leadership, practical tips on entering new markets and lively debate certainly gave our audience an insight to today’s complex international trade environment, with something of interest for everyone who attended. The themes encouraged lively discussion between audience and speakers as a key aim of the event was to give exporters a chance to voice their opinions and concerns publicly.
With this in mind, look out for the Institute’s January survey for members and other exporters. This will seek the opinion of those involved in, or planning to enter, international trade on how we can best move forward in the run up to leaving the EU – and upon departure.
About Arne Mielken
Arne is a Senior Trade Specialist at Amber Road. Since becoming a member of the Institute in 2013, and enrolling on its Diploma in World Customs Compliance and Regulations qualification, Arne has proved not only a talented export professional but a tireless advocate for the Institute with opinion formers and decision makers, NGOs, private companies and trade organisations worldwide. In recognition of this, he was made Young President, earlier this year.
