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The terminology and jargon around exporting can seem like a whole new language, so Anton explains what some of the main terms actually mean.

CDS Customs Declarations Service – The software system used to record Customs declarations for goods transported by land, air and sea. It gives importers, exporters and freight forwarders the ability to complete customs information electronically.

Commodity Code – A set of numbers used in the identification of a product which is then used to calculate duties payable.

CTC (Common Transit Countries) – The Common Transit Convention is an agreement covering the movement of goods between or through Common Transit countries – Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia and the EU.

Customs Declarations – Full customs declarations usually need to be submitted by importers when goods enter the UK. Other countries have similar requirements for goods exported from the UK.

Duties and Taxes – Duty is an agreed percentage of value payable on imports whilst taxes is the VAT element applied to a product.

EEA (The European Economic Area) – Includes EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

EFTA (The European Free Trade Association) – An organisation which promotes free trade and economic integration to benefit its four member states, which are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

EORI Number (EU Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number) – Required for all businesses who want to trade internationally. The EORI number is used for identification in customs procedures.

EU Product Rules – The EU has rules about what can be imported into the community, covering specifications, safety etc. Guidance about the rules is available online.

European Single Market – The single market means the whole of the EU is treated as one area for trade purposes, so there are no internal borders or restrictions on the free movement of goods and services.

FTA – Free Trade Agreement. An agreement between two participating countries relating to trade of products and services.

INCOTERMS – International Commercial Terms. Used to clearly define the obligation of cost, risk and responsibility of the transportation of goods between a buyer and seller.

ROO (Rules of Origin) – This is the proof of which country a product has come from, and is used to determine which duties and restrictions might apply in the country to which it is exported.

Trade Tariffs – the agreed level of duties and taxes payable on import.

WTO – World Trade Organisation

Third country – is any country that doesn’t have an international treaty or free trade agreement.

Most Favoured Nation – under WTO rules an advantage negotiated with one trade partner must be extended to all WTO members that do not have a FTA.

Using a good freight forwarder, like Global Freight, will take the stresses of the paperwork off you as they will know exactly which of these regulations applies to you. Contact Global Freight for advice on all your export question via +44 (0)1952 270699 or www.global-freight.co.uk/contact/