Sandra Scannell, Business Growth and Trade Director. NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry

All Northern Ireland manufacturing exporters will at some point need export documentation and that’s the reason why NI Chamber’s unique Export Documentation service is a vital asset to companies trading overseas.  NI Chamber is licensed to certify and arrange legalisation of export documentation for businesses to make sure their journey through customs is as smooth and easy as possible.

Demand for NI Chamber’s Export Documentation service has increased substantially in recent years with firms now doing more business in overseas markets.

With our extensive experience in this specialised area, we are ideally positioned to help companies entering new markets or those who are seasoned exporters meet and understand the regulations surrounding international trade.

It is vital, when exporting to foreign markets, to present the correct documentation as different countries require different documents.  Errors are very expensive, leading to costly delays in payment or in clearing goods and may even lead to non-payment.

Because of the level of detail which is required when transferring goods overseas, export documentation is a highly specialised service.  NI Chamber has a team of four experts in this area who have received in-depth training in this highly skilled field.

Exporters are generally advised by their customers about what documents are required but NI Chamber’s export documentation team can also provide advice on this. Exporters can call into our offices with their documents filled out, which we then process and return to them and of course they can seek guidance from our team.

This can also be accomplished swiftly through NI Chamber’s electronic service through which EC Certs of Origin and EUR1 and ATR movement certificates can be processed with the documentation completed at the touch of a button.

We advise exporters throughout the process of completing the documentation whether that’s in person or on line, filling out forms, ensuring they are correctly completed or liaising with freight and cargo operators.  NI Chamber has the expertise to make the documentation process as straightforward as possible.

Export documentation may be required to comply with import regulations.  It may be required to certify and satisfy the origin of the goods and may be required as part of a Letter of Credit or to trigger payment or for any other commercial reason.

We can help you with:

• European Community Certificates of Origin
• Arab Certificates of Origin
• Egyptian Certificates of Origin
• Electronic Export documentation
• Certification, Legalisation & Notarisation of Export Documentation
• EUR1 Movement Certificates
• ATR Movement Certificates
• ATA Carnets

Today with the global economy, companies are doing business in different countries all over the world.  In order to do business in different countries, new businesses must be able to provide documents that are deemed valid and legal in every country where they transact business.  The method by which documents are legally verified is called legalisation – a specialised area where NI Chamber is proficient.

Legalisation is particularly important because companies are engaged in business transactions all over the world, as a result, in order to open bank accounts, to register to do business in a country, or just to complete a deal or transaction, they must provide documentation from the country of their origin confirming their existence and that they are in good standing. The documents providing such status must be properly verified and legalised.

For example, if a document has to be legalised by the Saudi Arabian Embassy, it will be sent to NI Chamber for verification and then forwarded to the Arab British Chamber of Commerce in London for certification.  The Arab Chamber then filter it to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London and then it comes back to NI Chamber legalised and ready to go back to the client again. It can be quite a protracted process but we make sure we are the agent in the middle to ensure that the document is dispatched and returned correctly.

However, legalisation is not only a service for exporters – it can apply to any sort of document required for movement overseas and can include people who are moving abroad to work whose qualifications have to be legalised to ensure they are authentic.

Having the right paperwork is therefore essential for trade in international markets. Missing or inaccurate documents can increase risks, lead to delays and extra costs, or even prevent a deal from being completed.   But remember NI Chamber can help you every step of the way – we will make sure you’re not left at sea.

To find out more about NI Chamber’s Export Documentation Service, contact Sandra Scannell on 02890 244113 or email sandra.scannell@northernirelandchamber.com or learn more via the NI Chamber website – Export Documentation

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