In the case of customs tariffs, it can seem that dealing with the EU is sometimes easier, as rates and rules are harmonized for its presently 28 Member States. However, digging deeper into other programs can run you into trouble. A perfect example is the EU Value Added Tax (VAT). Monitoring and accurately interpreting the indirect tax changes in the EU and country-by-country (VAT rates are not harmonized) can be a manually-intensive and daunting task. This task is especially tedious when different VAT rules apply depending on the transaction and movement of the goods.

The European Commission has now launched plans for the biggest reform of EU VAT rules in a quarter of a century. The Commission says this reboot would improve and modernize the system for governments and businesses alike by 2019.

The (almost) Successful EU Single Market – Don’t Mention VAT!

Amber Road participated in the WTO Public Forum 2017 to discuss how end-to-end global trade management software solutions can play a role in creating an open and inclusive trading system for all. Days 2 and 3 of the Public Forum continued the vital discussions around what needs to be done to develop an open and inclusive trading system; a break from protectionist rhetoric. What are the most effective ways to ensure women fully reap the benefits of trade? How can we ensure small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) adapt to the new ways of doing business, including e-commerce? Governments, the private sector including companies like Amber Road, and civil society addressed these questions at the Forum in a number of sessions.

Amber Road, the leader of Global Trade Management software solutions, is proud to participate in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum this year, "Trade: Behind the Headlines." 

Negotiations have resumed in Brussels over Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU). Since the last round of talks in July, the United Kingdom (UK) has published a series of position papers on various Brexit issues, including the future customs cooperation with the EU (Open for Business: Customs at the Forefront of the UK’s New Special Partnership with the EU). There is also talk of a transition for the immediate period after Brexit. Real chances of discussing these issues are not dependent on Great Britain alone, but on what transpires at an EU October summit authorizing the start of trade negotiations.

Although Big Ben has been taken out of commission for the next four years while it is being refurbished, the UK is making sure commerce and trade will be running after its departure from the European Union (EU). The story is well-known by everyone in the trade industry; the United Kingdom-European Union membership referendum vote held on 23 June 2016 resulted in 51.9% of voters voting in favor of leaving the EU. The government initiated the official EU withdrawal process on 29 March 2017, putting the UK on-course to complete the withdrawal process by 30 March 2019.

Amber Road has regularly kept our customers and trade professionals in the know about Brexit’s impact on trade. The blog post on 15 June 2016 and a full corporate press release. We also held a special webinar on the “The British Vote Brexit: How Will This Impact Global Trade in EU and US Companies?” which is available on-demand and issued a Q&A paper.

Following months of speculation regarding the UK’s position on various aspects of global trade – positions that are now subject to serious scrutiny as the government negotiates the departure from the EU - an official paper was just released to clarify the government’s plans...

On July 8, 2017, at the G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany, the EU and Canada officially announced the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) - the modern-day Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and Canada. The date of implementation has been officially set for September 21, 2017. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that "98 percent of the CETA agreement will take effect on 21 September."

The EU’s Union Customs Code (UCC) provides the possibility of imposing national conditions or requirements for the status of customs representatives. Customs representatives, also known as Customs brokers, are the professionals that "clear" goods through customs barriers for importers and exporters. This involves the preparation of documents and/or electronic submissions, the calculation and payment of taxes, duties and excises, and facilitating communication between government authorities and importers and exporters. Custom brokers may, for example, be employed by or affiliated with freight forwarders, independent businesses, shipping lines, importers, exporters, trade authorities, and customs brokerage firms.

As of July 1, the Netherlands requires these customs representatives to meet Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) criteria, with the hopes of improving the quality of data they supply in their customs declarations.

On May 14, 2017, the French Republic elected the youngest president of its history, Emmanuel Macron, who promised to reform the country and better prepare it for 21st century challenges. This is a big deal for the global trading community and the EU because France has the world's sixth largest economy by IMF estimates and the tenth largest economy by Purchasing Power Parity figures. It is the third largest economy in Europe.

Free trade agreements (FTAs) help countries export more outside their borders, gain better access to raw materials and vital components, and compete more successfully in the global marketplace. For India and European Union member states, the EU-India FTA faces a tough uphill battle. However, once that battle is overcome, the FTA will increase trade and opportunity between the two powerful regions.

India is an important sales market for Europe; with a population of 1.3 billion it is the fastest growing economy in the world and a key supplier of a wide range of goods and services for many EU partners.  Germany, ahead of India’s Prime Minister’s visit to Europe in late May, made a strong pitch for resuming negotiations for the EU-India FTA. Germany is one of many countries that India terminated its bilateral investment protection treaties (BITs) with, following the country’s release of a new BIT model in December 2015.

The official government website of the United Kingdom (www.page.gov.uk) cites three main steps to obtain a divorce in the United Kingdom. These steps provide a  very formal process and detail the lengthy list of official documents to be obtained.  Basically here is the procedure:

• Step 1: Apply for divorce and give reasons why you want the marriage to end.
• Step 2: Obtain a formal “no objection” document from the court.
• Step 3: After waiting at least 6 weeks, get a legal document that ends your marriage.