A KEY contract to provide specialist export support to Essex Chamber of Commerce has been won by Yorkshire-based overseas trade specialist, Chamber International.
Under the contract – a service level agreement – Essex Chamber of Commerce, which was founded more than a century ago, becomes an official subagent of Chamber International for the issue of ATA Carnets to its members.
ATA Carnets are used for the temporary export of items, which are not being sold and are issued under an International Convention signed by more than 80 countries. They facilitate duty free import and fast clearance of professional equipment, commercial samples and goods for trade fairs and are also used by touring rock bands, theatre groups and broadcasters.
The specialist nature of ATA Carnets means that not all Chambers of Commerce are able to issue them and must become subagents of an accredited organisation, such as Chamber International, whose name is on the documents, and which also has similar agreements with chambers in Manchester, Norfolk, St Helens, and Lincolnshire.
Essex Chamber of Commerce, which is accredited by British Chambers of Commerce and has its own international trade team, serves the whole of Essex from four offices in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Lowestoft and Newmarket.
Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, says: “More than 175,000 ATA Carnets are issued every year covering goods valued at £16bn and demand is increasing as more countries join the carnet scheme and the UK looks further afield for generating exports.
“We are delighted to be working alongside such a well-established and highly-regarded chamber of commerce and hope this is the start of a long-term close working relationship to help enhance exporting from Essex.”
Chamber International, which has a presence in York and also supports Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s We are International campaign, helps hundreds of new and experienced exporters with a wide range of specialist services to make exporting easier and more cost effective each year and is exclusively partnered with London headquartered global testing organisation, Intertek, to assist with a wide range of issues including product conformity.
