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Member's UK Customs & Global Trade update - Week 24

We look back at the WTO MC 12 results and the UK responses, update on Northern Ireland Protocol and address customs, FTA and Sanctions news.



Content

  • A successful conclusion of the WTO MC12

  • The Northern Ireland Bill of the UK: More Trouble in Paradise?

  • Customs declaration completion requirements for Great Britain

  • Moving processed or repaired goods into free circulation or re-exporting them

  • UK Trade Tariff: duty suspensions and tariff quotas

  • UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement

  • UK-Andean countries committee documents

  • UK-Andean countries trade agreement

  • Trade and investment factsheets

  • Sanctions

 
WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is in charge of international trade regulations. Its primary role is to keep commerce flowing as smoothly, reliably, and freely as possible.


A successful conclusion of the WTO MC12

We're updating you on the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva. Here is a quick summary, but please read out a more detailed exclusive members’ briefing.


Round-the-clock discussions led to the "Geneva Package" - decisions on fisheries subsidies, WTO reactions to food and pandemic crises, and food safety, e-commerce and WTO reform.


Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the results show the WTO can handle crises. WTO members can work across geopolitical fault lines to strengthen the organisation. Collaboration and competition were on display.


Pandemics, COVID-19, and TRIPS: WTO members waived TRIPS rules to allow COVID-19 export without patent owner approval. IP investment, research, and knowledge transfer are promoted. WTO Declaration on Outbreak and Pandemic Readiness calls for openness, prompt information exchange, and caution in imposing export restrictions. Ministers waived some TRIPS Agreement procedural restrictions in response to the COVID pandemic and requests from poor nations, allowing the manufacture and export of COVID-19 vaccines without the patent owner's agreement. The agreement protects a research-friendly IP system. African manufacturing and vaccine development will benefit. Ministers lifted export restrictions and promoted transparency to fight pandemics.


Food safety: MC12 prioritises food safety. The Food Security Declaration urges members to avoid unnecessary export restrictions and support farming. By ratifying the food security statement and helping the World Food Programme, the WTO can address modern concerns.


IUU: Illegal fishing subsidies are banned internationally. WTO members agree on fisheries subsidies. No overfishing. Stopping high seas fishing incentives reduces overcapacity and overfishing. Transparent subsidies are important, too. More talks were promised.


E-commerce: WTO delays e-commerce customs until Ministerial. Businesses needed e-commerce. Extending the e-commerce ban boosts the digital economy. WTO members avoided ETTs until MC13. This agreement protects millions of firms and jobs in WTO's digital economy.


Refom?

WTO reform is agreed. The Dispute mechanism must work by 2024. WTO reform promotes rule-based trade. In recent weeks, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the organisation has become a diktat forum. Ministers negotiated this week. Listening, letting go, and compromising.


Outstanding

Public stockholdings varied for food security, domestic aid, cotton, and market access. NAtions couldn't agree on a farm program. WTO members are motivated to finish current mandates for MC13.


Livestreaming of the closing session of the 12th Ministerial Conference is available on this page. A recording of the webcast is available here:

https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc12_e/webcasting_closing_e.htm


Here is your debrief for members.


Freedom and fairness more important than ever, Trade Secretary tells WTO

International Trade Secretary issues rallying cry for global action in defence of free and fair trade ahead of first major World Trade Organization (WTO) summit since leaving the EU.


WTO Ministerial Conference: Joint Statement in Solidarity with Ukraine

Over 50 WTO Members agreed a statement at the World Trade Organization’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in solidarity with Ukraine. Ranil Jayawardena, Minister for International Trade, represented the UK at the meeting.


International Trade Secretary's MC12 Plenary Session Speech

Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan’s plenary session speech at the WTO’s twelfth Ministerial Conference.


UK intervention in World Trade Organization session on challenges facing multilateral trading system

Minister for International Trade Ranil Jayawardena’s remarks on challenges facing the World Trade Organization at the opening of its ministerial conference.



UK statement following the conclusion of the WTO Ministerial Conference

The UK’s International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, issued a statement following the conclusion of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva.

 

Northern Ireland


The Northern Ireland Bill of the UK: More Trouble in Paradise?

The UK wants to unilaterally tear up part of the NI Agreement. Why? Analysis, Details, Explanation, and the EU response - HERE!

  • What we cover: WA?

  • Why does this agreement matter?

  • 2021 Troubles

  • 2022 Troubles

  • Why is Northern Ireland trade so complicated?

  • 5 Reasons why the NI Protocol was accepted in 2019

  • What customs law applies in NI?

  • What about customs duties?

  • Why is a new NI Bill proposed?

  • What is in the Northern Ireland Bill of 2022?

  • Four fundamental challenges

  • The UK Solutions

  • Tell me more about the Green and Red Channels

  • Dual Laws for placing goods on the market

  • Is this change lawful?

  • What did the EU say?

  • Conclusion

Northern Ireland Protocol: The EU response to the UK Bill to Fix NI - is the EU UK TCA at risk?

The EU is not amused about the UK NI Bill as it violates the agreement with the EU. Infringement procedures have kicked in. Is the EU-UK TCA at risk? Read out analysis


Northern Ireland Protocol Confusion Can Be Cleared Up With Flexible Border Approach

With a renewed emphasis on the EU-UK approach to Northern Ireland, we question why the United Kingdom seeks more escalation rather than constructive partnership. More importantly: Why not accept an 80 percent burden reduction benefiting people and companies during a crisis in the cost of living and War in Europe?


Northern Ireland Protocol: How the border works today and why NI businesses WIN Let's examine why NI businesses WIN big from the NI Protocol and how the Border works today


Northern Ireland: Can traders make use of EU Free Trade Agreements? If Yes, how?

Given that EU law applies in Northern Ireland, can traders also benefit from the 40+ EU FTAs? Arne Mielken, customs expert on customs explains


SPS: How to get my GB agri-food through Northern Ireland?

Trading agri-food with Northern Ireland is a challenge when moving them from Great Britain. Here is how to get them into Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland: When TSS is not working for you, use US. We'll sort NI trade for YOU :-) Businesses sending goods between NI and GB Northern Ireland can simplify trade by using our customs support and declaration service. We deal with the TSS for you!


HMRC explains: What is the Northern Ireland & Ireland Protocol, and how does it work?

Watch HMRC information and a Q&A on how the NI protocol works and the concept of "goods at risk" and "rules of origin".


 
Customs

Customs declaration completion requirements for Great Britain

Use this guide as a supplement when using the CHIEF and CDS trade tariffs to import and export goods to and from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) after the end of the transition period. Note added to page 123 to clarify use of additional declaration types: A, B, C, J, Y or Z, when submitting an export declaration at a GVMS location using a CSE authorisation, or at an ‘arrived exports location’. C21 functionality on CHIEF at GVMS locations will be live from 21 June 2022.


Moving processed or repaired goods into free circulation or re-exporting them

Find out how to move your goods from inward processing into free circulation, another special procedure or re-export. This is a clarification to the last update. We have updated the section ‘moving goods to another inward processing authorisation holder’ to clarify that liability for any suspended customs duty or import VAT remains with the first holder until customs have accepted the movement declaration submitted by the receiving holder.


UK Trade Tariff: duty suspensions and tariff quotas

Temporary duty suspensions and tariff quotas for importing goods into the UK. Updated guidance about the 2021 duty suspension application process.


 
Free Trade Agreements

UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement

Information on the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement and how it will benefit businesses.


UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement explainer

A summary explainer of the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (DEA).

The agreement came into force on 13 June.

UK-Andean countries committee documents

Decisions, documents and meeting minutes from UK-Andean countries committees.


UK-Andean countries trade agreement Documents containing treaty information and a summary of the UK-Andean countries trade agreement. Added link to a new page for UK-Andean countries committee documents.



Trade and investment factsheets

A snapshot of the UK’s trade and investment positions with individual trading and investment partners overseas. Factsheets updated to reflect the latest data available.


 

Sanctions

Financial sanctions, ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida organisations

Certain persons and entities associated with the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida organisations are subject to UK financial sanctions. Updated with ‘HM Treasury Notice, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida, 14/06/2022’


Financial sanctions, Iran relating to nuclear weapons

This page contains the list of asset freeze targets, listed because of proliferation-related activity in Iran. It also contains information on regulations. Updated with ‘HM Treasury Notice, Iran (Nuclear), 14/06/2022’


Monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions

Government processes on the issue of monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions.


Financial sanctions, Chemical Weapons

UK financial sanctions are in place for persons involved in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. This page contains the current list of designated targets. Updated with ‘HM Treasury Notice, Chemical Weapons, 16/06/2022’


Financial sanctions, Russia

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ensure sanctions relating to Russia are implemented effectively after the UK leaves the EU. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Russia, 16/06/2022


Financial sanctions, Iran (human rights)

Iran is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document contains a current list of designated persons relating to human rights violations. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Iran (Human Rights), 16/06/2022


Financial sanctions, Libya

Libya is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document contains a current list of designated persons and information on relevant regulations. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Libya, 16/06/2022


Financial sanctions, Syria

Syria is currently subject to UK financial sanctions.This document provides a current list of designated persons. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Syria, 16/06/2022


Who is subject to financial sanctions in the UK?

A guide to the current consolidated list of asset freeze targets, and a list of persons named in relation to financial and investment restrictions under the Russia regulations. Updates to the following regimes: Chemical Weapons, Counter-Terrorism (International), Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Russia, and Syria


Financial sanctions, Myanmar

Myanmar is currently subject to UK financial sanctions. This document provides a current list of designated persons. Updated with HM Treasury Notice, Myanmar, 16/06/2022


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