Virtual Office Services
Many businesses are adapting their strategies, diversifying their product offering and changing their working processes (e.g. working from home). We have a number of tools and services that help our members maintain business services through the use of a Virtual Office.
Virtual Receptionist
The virtual receptionist service enables members to run their business at home and to ensure they never miss an important phone call. The service offers a professional call answering service that can take calls and messages using the business name and then relay the call / message to appropriate staff members.
Physical Mailbox
Rent a secure physical mail box at Commerce House. Useful for businesses working remotely or with no fixed address who want to continue using a professional business address.
Virtual Inbox
Forward emails to any address in the world. The Scan 2 email service also scans important letters and emails and forwards them directly to the business owner.
Stay connected
Connect with fellow members, clients, and staff members with our video and conferencing facilities. We also aim to open up our members’ lounge to enable members to enjoy a social distanced coffee and reconnect with peers.
For more information please call 01782 202222
- Published in Marketing & Digital Innovation, Staff & HR
Future Finest
Future Finest is a members’ organisation run by and for future leaders in professional services role within Staffordshire.
- Published in Membership
Finest
Finest is a members organisation representing the most dynamic and successful professional service businesses.
- Published in Membership
Customs Declarations
Completing a customs declaration is complicated and you may need software. So you may want to get someone to deal with customs for you. At Staffordshire Chambers we have spent the last 18 months training staff to ensure that we are ready to act as Customs Agents for companies who need a reliable, trusted partner to clear their manufacturing goods through customs. Ryan Dakin.
It is anticipated that there will be an additional 400 million Customs Declarations required each year at a cost to industry of £13bn as a result of leaving the EU and the Customs Union. Many, many companies who trade solely with the EU will not have the knowledge, software or capacity to deal with the new customs regime. So with less than six months to go before the end of the Transition Period it is imperative that companies start to understand the level of complexity and what will be required to ensure that trade with the EU remains uninterrupted. We are well placed to handle all your customs declarations, but we need to start working with you now. A process has to be established. Your business needs to be ‘set up’ on the customs software and work needs to be done to ascertain the correct commodity codes are being used. This takes time so even if you do not require the service at the moment it is vital to have the process in place.
For further information please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
Moneycorp
Are you importing, exporting, paying for a service abroad or receiving international funding? moneycorp are here to help
Through our partnership with Moneycorp, members can access:
- Preferential exchange rates
- Zero international payment fees*
- Free FX audit
- Multiple currency holding accounts when you open your moneycorp account
- A dedicated account manager for expert market guidance and hedging strategy
Sign up for a corporate FX account today.
We have helped more than 14,000 businesses with international payments, risk management solutions and tools to help businesses compete on the global stage. We ensure your funds get where they need to be on time and help minimise your currency costs. Sign up for a corporate international payments account today and discover how your business could reduce currency costs and risk in a global marketplace.
*certain limits may apply
- Published in International Trade
What is an ATA Carnet?
Facilitates the temporary exportation of goods for up to 12 months. Acting as a ‘passport’ presented at each customs point, this enables the temporary exportation of goods without having to lodge duties on deposit with overseas customs.
There are three categories of ATA Carnets:
• International trade fairs and exhibitions
• Commercial samples
• Professional equipment
For further clarification on ATA Carnet please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
What is a European Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is an important international trade document which identifies the origin of goods in a particular export shipment. Virtually every country in the world will consider the origin of the goods they import to determine what duty will be applied or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.
A Certificate of Origin may be required to:
• Meet requirements for the overseas importer
• Meet quota requirements imposed by the importing country
• Comply with banking requirements
• For other official and commercial reasons
Exporters can apply for a Certificate of Origin electronically through the Chambers of Commerce.
For more information on Certificates of Origin please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
What is an EUR1?
An EUR1, also known as a ‘movement certificate’, enables importers in certain countries to import goods at a reduced or nil rate of import duty under trade agreements between the EU and beneficiary countries.
Comprehensive information on the rules relating to EUR1s can be found in Customs Notices 827, 828 and 832.
For further clarification and to find out which countries qualify please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
Trade Credit Insurance
Protect your income on overseas trading.
Whether you are trading in the UK, established internationally, or expanding into new markets, cash flow is a critical element of your commercial well-being. Issuing an invoice to your business customers does not guarantee payment on time.
Chamber Credit Insurance helps protect your business from bad debts and late payments and supports you when invoices are not paid. You can minimise your risk when exploring new markets and gain access to market expertise from Euler Hermes, the world’s largest credit insurer. Protection in three easy steps:
• The Chamber Credit Insurance team will work with you to set appropriate credit limits for your customers
• If there is a serious delay in payment from one of your customers, you will receive assistance in collecting the debt where appropriate, through the collections service
• If the debt is not collectable, for example because of insolvency, then your claim will be processed swiftly to ensure that your cash flow is not adversely affected.
Special offer for all Chamber members: Members can access 10 free credit limit opinions with Chamber Credit Insurance. With a value of £250, your 10 free credit limit opinions will allow you to immediately see the creditworthiness of new and existing customers.
You can use your free credit limit opinions to assess domestic or international customers and prospects – and gain valuable insights for your sales and marketing strategies.
To find out more call 0800 197 1298 or visit www.chambercreditinsurance.co.uk
- Published in Finance & Funding, International Trade
Translation Services
Do you want to expand your business? Find support through the Chamber to approach new customers in new markets with support from our Department for International Trade (DIT) Advisors.
Our team can guide you through access to Department for International Trade services designed to introduce you to new markets, give you access to chambers of commerce worldwide via the Global Business Network, signpost trade missions and inward missions to Staffordshire, and provide useful information and research about markets abroad. When you’re entering new markets, or servicing existing customers, you want your message to be correct, whether it’s in English, Chinese or Spanish. Let us support your business in markets where English isn’t the primary language. Translation services can help to avoid the costly mistakes and missed opportunities that come from failure to communicate.
The Chamber can help your business can with contacting prospective customers, creating exhibitions and developing client relationships and more. Let us help your business say what it means with bespoke translation and interpretation services.
Contact the DIT Advisor service today to get started with expanding your business abroad! Email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in International Trade
