Making importing and exporting less taxing

A series of events aimed at helping new and fledgling exporters tackle the complexities of VAT and customs procedures will take place in the South West starting next month.

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has joined forces with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Business Education and Support Team (BEST) to offer a series of free one-day seminars to help businesses understand the HMRC requirements for international trade. Access to new markets and improved profit margins are just two of the potential benefits to be gained from trading internationally. Deciding to do business overseas, however, can be a daunting prospect, especially when looking at the administrative complexities of VAT and customs.

The seminars will help businesses to understand customs issues and learn how to get it right first time, to be aware of key VAT issues when importing or exporting and to understand the differences between the treatment of tangible goods and services for VAT purposes, when trading with the EU and internationally. They will also help firms to learn where to get help about customs and VAT.

Seminars will be held from November 2006 to March 2007 and venues will include Mount Somerset Hotel, Taunton (9 November), the Land Rover Experience West country, Awliscombe, Devon (22 November) and the Lifeboat College, Poole (5 December). Next year, the Somerset Rugby Club, Taunton will host a seminar on 24 January with Stratton House Hotel, Cirencester to follow on 20 February and Exeter Race Course on 14 March.

For more information:
Contact: Shaun Smith
Tel: 0117 933 0213
E-mail:shaun.smith@sw-ukti.org.