The United Kingdom government has issued its inaugural strategic direction to the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), marking a decisive shift toward a more responsive, efficient, and business-friendly trade defence framework. This intervention comes at a critical juncture when UK producers and manufacturers face intensifying global competition, supply chain volatility, and pricing pressures from subsidised or [...]
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Turkey stands as one of Europe's most significant textile and garment manufacturing hubs, combining competitive pricing, established quality standards, and proximity to UK markets. For UK businesses seeking reliable sources of clothing, fabrics, and finished textiles, Turkish suppliers offer compelling advantages across fashion apparel, home textiles, technical fabrics, and accessories. However, importing these goods into [...]
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The United Kingdom and United States reached a landmark agreement on December 1, 2025 that fundamentally reshapes the commercial landscape for pharmaceutical and medical technology exports. Under this three-year Economic Prosperity Deal, all UK-origin pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical technology exported to the United States will enter duty-free, while the UK commits to increased investment [...]
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Introduction The EU Import Control System 2 (ICS2) represents a significant modernization of customs security processes across the European Union and the United Kingdom. At the heart of this system lies a critical requirement: accurate, specific, and meaningful descriptions of goods, parties, and addresses in customs declarations. Generic or vague terms—known as "stop words"—are systematically [...]
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Introduction The movement of medical supplies from Germany to the United Kingdom represents a critical component of healthcare supply chains, encompassing everything from diagnostic instruments and surgical equipment to personal protective equipment and laboratory consumables. While Germany remains one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-quality medical devices and the UK continues to be a significant [...]
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the UK's Autumn Budget 2025 on 26 November, setting out a fiscal plan shaped by global trade volatility, productivity challenges, and the ambition to restore economic growth through structural reform. For customs professionals, traders, and importers, the Budget delivers consequential changes: the removal of low-value import duty relief, fresh trade agreements [...]
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India is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical exporters, supplying generic medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and finished formulations to over 200 countries. For UK businesses---including wholesalers, distributors, hospital procurement teams, and retail pharmacy chains---importing pharmaceuticals from India offers significant cost advantages and access to quality-assured products. However, the regulatory landscape demands exceptional diligence. Unlike [...]
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On 13 November 2025, HMRC launched a significant new self-service tool that gives UK importers, exporters, and their agents free access to their customs declaration data. The Get Customs Data for Import and Export Declarations service represents a major shift in how businesses can access, review, and audit their customs information—without the fees previously associated [...]
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