Announcements and Calls for Evidence:

 

Smarter regulation: UK product safety review

We’re inviting views on the long-term approach to product safety, and how to ensure that the regulatory framework is fit for the future.

Government response published.

 

Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025 to 2026: call for evidence

Call for evidence from Margaret Beels, the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, to inform her labour market enforcement strategy for 2025 to 2026.

First published.

 

Government’s experimental AI chatbot to help people set up small businesses and find support

Thousands of small businesses across the country will be able to get help and advice through the UK government’s generative AI chatbot.

First published.

 

Sharing more information on business rates valuations

The VOA has published details about how it will improve the information it discloses on business rates valuations.

First published.

 

AI Management Essentials tool

We are seeking views on the design, content and use of a new AI Management Essentials (AIME) tool.

First published.

 

Property (Digital Assets Etc.) Bill

Information relating to the Property (Digital Assets Etc.) Bill which was introduced to the House of Lords on 11 September 2024.

Property (Digital Assets Etc.) Bill: factsheet published.

 

Almost £1.4bn of local growth projects confirmed across Scotland

Scottish Secretary writes to local authorities following the Budget.

First published.

 

Draft new guidance for the markets regime in the Enterprise Act 2002

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on its draft new guidance for the markets regime in the Enterprise Act 2002, as amended by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

First published.

IP

UK-China Intellectual Property Newsletter

At the end of every month we publish a newsletter covering recent intellectual property (IP) developments in China.

Updated UK-China Intellectual Property Newsletter October 2024

 

UK overseas intellectual property attaché network

Thinking of doing business in Southeast Asia, China, Latin America, North America, Middle East, North Africa and India? Help and advice is available through our IP liaison officers (attachés).

Goods Movement

Preparing for the new safety and security declaration requirements

If you import goods from the EU to Great Britain, from 31 January 2025 you will need to submit a safety and security declaration.

Updated with additional information about the customer journey according to mode of transport.

 

Make and manage an export declaration online: service availability and issues

Check the availability and any issues affecting the Make and manage an export declaration online service.

First published.

 

Get proof of origin for your goods

Prove the origin of your goods if you’re trading with a country that has a trade agreement with the UK, or is covered by the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.

The postal address for where to send your completed paper C1299 form has been updated.

Trade and export support

International Trade Week 2024 open for businesses to go global

Fourth annual International Trade Week kicks off

First published.

EM on UK/EU TCA Specialised Committee decision (9869/24)

The government’s summary of a proposed council decision on the position to be taken by the EU in the Specialised Committee on Social Security Coordination.

First published.

Joint Communiqué: Nigeria-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership

A joint communiqué establishing the Nigeria-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership

First published.

Negotiations on UK-South Korea trade deal resume under new government

Talks resume on a trade deal with South Korea as negotiators meet today in Seoul.

First published.

 

Cover policy and indicators

Find out about cover policy and indicators for countries and territories that are covered by UK Export Finance.

The market risk appetite for Tunisia has been updated from ‘FXP only’ to ‘case by case’.

 

General Export Facility

Find out about our General Export Facility: its benefits, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Danske Bank has been added as an approved lender. The relevant contact details for Danske Bank have been uploaded.

 

Trade remedies notices: countervailing duty on ironing boards from Turkey

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is applying a countervailing duty on ironing boards from Turkey under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (‘the Act’).

‘Trade remedies notice 2024/15: countervailing duty on ironing boards from Turkey’ added.

Sanctions

Financial sanctions, Russia

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ensure sanctions relating to Russia are implemented effectively after the UK leaves the EU.

HM Treasury Notice, Russia, 07/11/2024 added.

 

Financial sanctions, Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document provides a current list of designated persons.

HM Treasury Notice, Central African Republic, 07/11/2024 added.

 

Financial sanctions, Libya

Libya is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document contains a current list of designated persons and information on relevant regulations

HM Treasury Notice, Libya, 07/11/2024 added.

HMRC updates

B2B Parcels GB-NI

Please see the attached factsheet which contains important information to help businesses prepare for the new arrangements for business-to-business (B2B) parcels movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by 31 March 2025. 

It covers what the new arrangements are for B2B parcels, where these would apply and the importance of applying for UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) authorisation. 

Guidance can be found on GOV.UK: 

find out how to apply for UKIMS authorisation and the requirements they will need to meet 
read the statutory guidance for businesses sending parcels to Northern Ireland 
HMRC will be hosting a webinar on 21 November, and you can register to attend (opens in Microsoft Forms). 

For support with general trader queries, you can call the Customs and International Trade Helpline on 0300 322 9434 or textphone 0300 200 3719. 

 

Single Trade Window

 

The purpose of the Single Trade Window (STW) is to provide a single UK border service that streamlines data across government and trade. As you’ll be aware, the new government faces a challenging fiscal context with difficult choices to make. It is also true that the border has undergone radical change in the last few years, including the addition of new digital capabilities. It is right that this government considers its future plans for the border and how best to meet the needs of its users. It is in this context that development of the STW in the 2025 to 2026 financial year has been paused.

This decision means that the first strategic release of STW functionality, including the user interface for Safety and Security (S&S), will not be launched publicly this year. HMRC is already working with you to ensure everyone is aware of the options for submitting Safety and Security declarations ahead of 31 January 2025.

This pause will give the government an opportunity to take stock and further engage with traders, ports, software developers and its other key stakeholders to better understand their needs for the future of operating at the UK border. This understanding will allow us to fully re-evaluate how we can use digital tools to support our border priorities and ensure they have the greatest impact on trader experience.

As part of its efforts to support businesses trading across the UK border, the government will consider the role of the STW and will provide an update as part of the next phase of the Spending Review, reporting in late Spring 2025.

Extensive stakeholder engagement has taken place on the Single Trade Window with trade representatives, industry experts and specialists for each area of the border. The government would like to thank industry for their subject matter expertise and to reassure all involved that this valuable insight will be retained. Your expertise and knowledge have been, and will continue to be, invaluable.  
If you have any questions, please let HMRC know via STW Enquiries (HMRC) stwenquiries@hmrc.gov.uk

OPSS updates

OPSS community funding for product safety

Information and application forms for organisations seeking to deliver community-based and consumer-focused product safety awareness and education activity.

 

Product Recalls and Alerts

Information on OPSS product safety alerts, reports and recalls for unsafe products and resources for consumers, businesses and regulators.

List of featured recalls and alerts updated.

 

Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)

 

Extended producer responsibility for packaging: how to assess household and non-household packaging

How to assess household and non-household packaging from 2024 onwards if you’re a UK organisation affected by extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

Clarifying that packaging can be classified as non household if it’s supplied to a business or public institution which is the end user of the packaging, not ‘the end user of the goods contained in the packaging’ as the previous version stated.

 

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) public registers

Registers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) producers, approved exporters, approved authorised treatment facilities and producer compliance schemes.

Uploaded the latest versions of the approved authorised treatment facility, approved exporter public register and EEE producer public register.