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Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Exporters urged to sign up to new customs system

14 March 2023

HMRC is changing the way that UK exporters make customs declarations; businesses have to sign up to a new system by 30 November 2023.

Any business that exports goods must move to a new HMRC customs IT platform by 30 November in order to continue trading internationally.

The UK's new single customs platform is called the Customs Declaration Service and it replaces the current Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system. The CHIEF system has already closed for import declarations.

Whether they make their own declarations or use an intermediary, HMRC is urging businesses to act now to plan and move to the Customs Declaration Service.

According to the government, the new system offers a number of benefits:

  • It allows businesses to submit customs documents digitally and safely using the Secure File Upload service;
  • It provides a single financial dashboard to view account statements, make payments and control standing authority;
  • It gives real-time notifications and alerts on all customs declarations and movements;
  • Businesses can open a duty deferment account and make payments by card or bank transfer enabling goods to clear customs without delay.

Preparing to move to the new system

To help businesses and agents plan their move to the Customs Declaration Service, HMRC has published step-by-step checklists. Businesses can also use the Trader Dress Rehearsal service to prepare. This service enables firms to practise realistic business scenarios using their own account data and software, without risk. It can also be used to train staff.

Written by Rachel Miller.

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