Other Areas of International Trade

While customs is fundamental for the cross-border movement of products, companies may also need to consider other areas of international trade based on their product profile.
 
These other areas have the potential to stop products crossing borders and/or create compliance risks for companies if not properly considered and planned for. 

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The non-customs elements of international trade that companies need to consider, and which we can support with, are: 

 

• Excise Taxes – these are taxes which are imposed on certain product and service categories (e.g. alcohol, tobacco products, fuels, vehicles (VRT), gambling etc.). There are strict control and reporting obligations relating to the storage and movement of such products and provision of gambling services. Ensuring these obligations are met is vital for companies trading in, receiving and sending excisable products and providing excisable services;

• Export Controls – these relate to the movement of Dual-Use products and technologies across borders. Dual-Use products and technologies are those that can have both a civilian and potential military application. If companies have such products and technologies, they need to ensure they have the required registrations and licenses needed to compliantly move these, along with robust controls to ensure compliance with their obligations. The penalties for non-compliance in this area can be severe;

• Environmental Taxes – these are taxes/levies imposed on certain products to counteract climate change. This is an area of increasing importance given the greater focus on the area of climate change globally. The types of products which can be affected by environmental taxes are fossil fuels, plastics, chemicals, electricity and examples of these taxes are Carbon Charges, Refuse Charges, Plastic Bag Levies etc.;

• Product Restrictions and Prohibitions – for various reasons (e.g. consumer protection, environmental protection, health) authorities impose restrictions and prohibitions on certain products. Products which are restricted require licenses from the relevant authorities before importing the product and products which are prohibited cannot be imported under any circumstance;

 

We can assist companies in these areas through: 

 

• training;  

• reviews of import/export activities;

• implementation of processes, controls and procedures;

• interactions with relevant government authorities and agencies.