TCA still presenting challenges to manufacturers three years on

06 December, 2023

Nearly four in five (77%) of companies believe the UK and EU must collaborate to improve export procedures, customs administration and goods clearance and EU and UK levels. A simplified Trusted Trader scheme is needed which can be applied across all EU member states. Greater cooperation on regulation is also required with a call for the indefinite extension of CE marking recognition for all UK manufactured goods and internally HMRC must separate Customs from the rest of the department to give customs agents direct access to a dedicated team. Ultimately, mutual recognition of UK Advanced Tariff, Origin and Valuation rulings by the UK or UK rulings (and vice versa) would dramatically support trade.

Stephen Phipson, CEO Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said: “It is clear that manufacturers across the UK have performed strongly on the international stage in the last year with conditions remaining challenging. Since Britain left the EU, companies have had to deal with the new trade arrangements of the TCA merging with global disruption brought about by the Covid pandemic. Yet Britain’s manufacturers have powered through to build international trade in new markets while navigating through the minefield of challenges which still remain in trading with our closest partner, the EU.

“Government must jump on this potential and look to manufacturers as they continue to explore new markets further afield as well as closer to home. Reinstating the Trade Access Programme would help companies identify opportunities overseas and to move into new markets while providing in-market support would ensure companies get the correct advice in a time critical manner to help them compete successfully on the global stage.

“What is fundamentally missing and needed is an Exports Council to deliver joined-up policy to support trade which should be incorporated into the body delivering an overarching Industrial Strategy here in the UK.”

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