The SITPRO Helpdesk was set up in 1992 to provide a source of advice for UK companies struggling with their export paperwork during the run-up to the creation of the European Single Market. Over a decade later, the Helpdesk continues to answer queries about a wide range of exporting issues.
Recently, SITPRO's Nick Kasper analysed the over 600 enquiries to the Helpdesk since 1st January 2003. The most frequently asked questions, excluding general enquires on importing, exporting and documentation (about 20% of all enquiries) were on the following topics:
- Temporary Exports
- Preference / EUR1 form
- Import / Export Licences
- Certificates of Origin
- Dangerous Goods Notes
- Plant / Animal / Health Documentation
- Incoterms
- Certificates of Free Sale
- Letters of Credit
Most of these recurring issues have pages devoted to them in the FAQ or Trade Briefings sections of our website (see below), which means that we can signpost callers quickly to the relevant information. Import and Export Licences figure prominently (the domain of the DTI) as do General Import and Export enquiries (Customs) and VET / Phytosanitary / Health Certificates (DEFRA), so between SITPRO, Customs, DTI and DEFRA, most of the angles seem to have been covered.
However, these straightforward questions only account for 40% of the enquiries received! The other 60% can often be quite demanding for our Helpdesk advisers. For example, we have been asked "How do I produce export evidence of two London Double Decker red buses being sold to the Czech Republic when they are being collected?" and "I want to export paint brushes made of pig hair to the USA". The challenges of international trade are indeed varied.
You can contact the Helpdesk with your enquiries on 020 7215 8150 or e-mail: info@sitpro.org.uk 
.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 47, October/November 2003