French worries and intentions: Barnier at the French Senate

3 March 2021 – How the French interact with the UK over the next few years is important. How are their politicians thinking? An aspect rarely reported in the UK is that they are worried, and this is likely to make them difficult partners. Understanding their worries should help British politicians to shape our own…

New EU Customs Regulation Ends VAT Exemption for under €22 Parcels

Following an amendment to Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 on EU customs rules, from 1 January 2021 it will be possible to declare goods up to €150 with a simplified customs declaration. The existing VAT exemption for goods up to 22 € will thus be abolished – the popular shipments from China with the label “Gift, 10$”…

Is Your Supply Chain Prepared for Potential U.S. Tariffs on EU Goods?

By Ben Bidwell Sep 26 2019 / Global Trade Daily Transatlantic tariffs came closer to reality in recent months after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed tariffs on a list of products from the European Union (EU).  Unfortunately, even if you’ve already gone through something similar with goods imported from China, the same strategy…

Boardroom Brexit 2 August

By Paul Hardy/ Richard Bonnar/ Valerijus Ostrovskis Aug 2 2019 / Mondaq Welcome to the latest issue of Boardroom Brexit, covering developments since the election of Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative party and, as a consequence, his replacement of Theresa May as the UK’s new prime minister. In this issue we: outline the…

Headwinds towards East African regional integration: Will this time be different?

From the near pinnacle of a customs union, the old East African Community (EAC) came crashing down in 1977. Why? Political differences between the erstwhile leaders and perceptions around unfair distribution of the benefits and costs of regional integration halted the momentum. Through rebirth and enlargement, though, the new EAC has again risen to great…