BusinessLink has launched an online tool which gives traders free and direct access to current trading information on taxes and levies, rebates, preferences, restrictions and other information supplied by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/tariff.
The majority of import and export customs declarations rely on a classification system that defines goods and assigns each a 'commodity code'. The UK Trade Tariff enables the trader to find commodity codes that accurately describe goods, as well as a full list of duties and other measures such as taxes, rebates and conditions that apply to any code.
Based on the EU's TARIC database, it also includes additional UK-specific measures. It is the most accurate information available, as it is updated daily. Offering a number of features to make finding and storing information easier, 'help' links aid the classification process and provide additional facts such as links to other international trade websites, including SITPRO.
Once registered, a free of charge e-mail alerts subscription can be set up to notify the subscriber automatically whenever changes take place to the Tariff chapters, headings and commodity codes.
Since its launch in early April, the service has received good feedback from traders who report significant time savings in classifying their goods. Other users have reported that the online tool is more 'user friendly' and an improvement upon wading through the paper version which can be unwieldy and daunting to the novice user.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 64, Spring 2008
