Cuts in the UK's public sector could result in more costs and more bureaucracy for businesses engaged in international trade. That's if planned government cuts result in the closure of Simpler Trade Procedures (SITPRO), says Dr Andrew Traill, Managing Partner of shipping information service, Shippers' Voice.
SITPRO has been supported by the UK Government for the last 40 years, and the organisation's primary objectives are to reduce the costs of trading, particularly to business.
"This government funded organisation has been directly responsible for countless simplified procedures and standardisation of processes which have saved UK businesses millions of pounds over the years," said Dr Traill.
Dr Traill is concerned especially that the demise of SITPRO could result in companies not engaging with these important issues and landing in very deep water.
"People's eyes tend to glaze over when you mention Customs procedures and documentation, but the cost of, for instance, miscalculating duty or VAT payments, or even an innocent inappropriate description of goods, can put a company out of business," he adds.
According to Shippers' Voice, SITPRO's influence stretches beyond the UK's shores. It has been involved in shaping and spurring on developments across Europe with projects such as the creation of a Single Authorisation, supply chain security based on risk assessment rather than 100 percent scanning, and simplified data submissions.
