Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is introducing more training opportunities to help businesses prepare for trade as and when the UK leaves the European Union.

Companies importing or exporting goods when trading with the EU in a post-Brexit scenario are likely to face new Customs checks, forms and procedures.

And they will still be responsible for legal compliance even if they hire a Customs intermediary such as a broker, agent or freight forwarder to do the practicalities.

To help with awareness and preparations, the Chamber has organised two face-to-face training workshops and launched an e-learning package.

Jacqueline Highmore, Hampshire Chamber’s International Trade Manager, said: “It’s essential that businesses trading with the EU have an understanding of Customs regimes when they are shipping goods.

“We aim to give traders an understanding of how to compile the information they will need for basic Customs declarations.

“We will explore different scenarios, both import and export, to give learners confidence in their approach, and explain how to apply best practice.”

One company that has already taken advantage of Chamber training on Customs declarations is Southampton-based Truvox International, a manufacturer of commercial and industrial floorcare machines. Its reach extends to more than 70 countries worldwide.

Sales Office Manager Caroline Clack said: “As a manager of a team who export on a daily basis, but not being very familiar with the paperwork myself, the Customs training was the perfect opportunity to get an overview.

“The online learning module that we were asked to complete before the actual training day was really useful to give an insight to both imports and exports.

“On the day itself we worked through real examples and it was really interesting to hear scenarios from other attendees.

“This is a complex topic, so while it wasn’t going to turn us into experts in one day, we all came away feeling more confident about the information required, and the importance of knowing what our freight forwarders are doing for us.”

The new workshops take place at Hampshire Chamber’s head office, Wates House in Fareham, all day on Thursday 12th September and Thursday 21st November, 2019.

Companies who are unable to attend either date can take advantage of the e-learning option, a five-hour package of bite-sized modules that participants can work through at their own pace.

Customs declaration training is part of a wide range of international trade training organised and delivered by Hampshire Chamber and its partners.

Another popular option is the Foundation Award in International Trade, offered by Hampshire Chamber and assessed nationally by British Chambers of Commerce.

Training is open to both members and non-members of Hampshire Chamber. For more details, call 01329 820881 or email jacqueline.highmore@hampshirechamber.co.uk.