Lindsey's Blog: Imports & Government Surveys

03 Feb 2022

Shows

What a busy start to the year with lots of date changes for the European shows, but the good news is they are going ahead and still have an offer for members to attend! As we crave meeting in person again, showing and viewing new products, we can all look forward to Spring Fair. With its jewellery offering now located within MODA, the NAJ will be on hand in Hall 3 Stand B34-C35, so please call by for a chat. The popular fashion exhibition, Pure also returns. Excitingly, the July edition at Olympia will offer members a discount and launch a new concept jewellery area - Pure Jewels. Lots to look forward to in the coming months!

Import/Export

Rather importantly, the government has brought in new import/export rules in 2022, some from 1st February. These include carrying products and samples in person across borders. The NAJ will have an expert from the Department for International Trade on our stand at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday at MODA Hall3 Stand B34-C35.

For additional import advice, follow the H M Revenue & Customs link for more support - Help and support for UK transition. The page has handy links to register for the next live webinar on 'how to import' and a valuable recorded webinar on 'how to import'.

For UK exporters, particularly with new French import VAT changes, including an obligation to register for VAT in France, this link to this association dealing with freight issues will be useful - Changes to French Import VAT Rules – Effective 1st January 2022 – BIFA

Government survey

BEIS has recently asked the NAJ to contribute data to a national manufacturing workforce assessment 2022. This was interesting, as my conversations with members across the UK has drawn many similarities, with many facing issues of skilled staff shortages and an ageing workforce. More funding to help companies take on an apprentice and an improved national apprenticeship scheme seemed to be the consensus. Requirements for modern skills, including CAD-CAM, featured alongside the need to urgently encourage the training of new spinners, engravers, mounters, and setters. 

The positive news was that companies seemed very busy with more manufacturing returning to the UK in line with the predicted wave of 'Shop Local, Buy British' products. This trend nicely fits our recent announcement that sign-up for the Created in the UK scheme is now free for qualifying members. 

Sunny days ahead!

See us at Spring Fair

Created in the UK