More than half UK SMEs believe that smoother customs procedures should be a priority for future UK trade deals, finds poll
November 2022 - Transport & Infrastructure
More than half UK SMEs believe that smoother customs procedures should be a priority for future UK trade deals: A survey of British SMEs has revealed that 54% believe that smoother customs procedures should be a top priority for future trade deals between the UK and other countries, followed by ‘lowering tariffs’ (42%) and ‘reducing technical barriers’ (35%).
The survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and DHL Express found that when asked about the barriers to growth for their businesses, 'costs and disruption' and 'tariffs' (both 48%) were cited as the leading concerns, closely followed by customs procedures (47%).
Around two-fifths of businesses (41%) said that regulatory issues such as product certification was a barrier, whilst 37% pointed to political, social, economic and environmental uncertainty.
The research surveyed almost 1,000 SMEs in the UK, with just under one in 10 firms (9%) saying their business does not face any barriers when it comes to exporting.
Looking at their experiences trading with the EU, six in 10 companies (61%) said they can meet the requirements of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), however, a fifth of respondents, admitted they can’t (20%).
Respondents were also asked whether the process of meeting the requirements of the TCA has prepared them to trade with other non-EU markets that may require similar rules, with 9% revealing that they are now trading with non-EU markets because of this, and 9% saying they will consider trading in the future. However, the vast majority (70%) said it has had no influence on their businesses' decision to trade with other non-EU markets, with 13% saying they have not considered it at all.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at BCC said:
“For traders exporting to the EU, speed, efficiency, and reduced hassle are even more to the forefront of their minds. The BCC has a plan to cut red tape on UK-EU goods movements. We also have ambitions to boost UK exports across our key global markets through new Single Trade Window developments and trade negotiations.”
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