BUSINESSES who trade abroad are being offered training for the extra red tape they face after Brexit.

Companies who trade with the rest of the European Union are likely to face new customs checks, forms and procedures, whether the UK leaves with a deal or without.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is introducing more training to help businesses prepare. It warns that businesses will still be responsible for legal compliance, even if they hire a customs intermediary such as a broker, agent or freight forwarder to deal with the practicalities.

Jacqueline Highmore, Hampshire Chamber’s international trade manager, said: “It’s essential that businesses trading with the EU have an understanding of Customs regimes when they are shipping goods.

“We aim to give traders an understanding of how to compile the information they will need for basic customs declarations.

“We will explore different scenarios, both import and export, to give learners confidence in their approach, and explain how to apply best practice.”

Britain is currently due to leave the EU on October 31 under an extension to the withdrawal process agreed by both sides.

Southampton-based Truvox International, which manufactures commercial and industrial floor care machines, trades with more than 70 countries worldwide and has already taken advantage of chamber training on customs declaration.

Its sales office manager, Caroline Clack, said: “As a manager of a team who export on a daily basis, but not being very familiar with the paperwork myself, the Customs training was the perfect opportunity to get an overview.

“The online learning module that we were asked to complete before the actual training day was really useful to give an insight to both imports and exports.

“On the day itself we worked through real examples and it was really interesting to hear scenarios from other attendees.

“This is a complex topic, so while it wasn’t going to turn us into experts in one day, we all came away feeling more confident about the information required, and the importance of knowing what our freight forwarders are doing for us.”

Workshops take place at Hampshire Chamber’s head office, Wates House in Fareham, all day on Thursday September 12 and Thursday November 21.

There is also an e-learning option, made up of a five-hour package of bite-sized modules that participants can work through at their own pace.

The chamber also runs a Foundation Award in International Trade, offered by Hampshire Chamber and assessed nationally by British Chambers of Commerce.

Training is open to both members and non-members of the chamber.

Details are available by calling 01329 820881 or emailing jacqueline.highmore@hampshirechamber.co.uk