In this update, we share the latest Government developments relevant to our industry. This includes proposed new US tariffs on certain UK products, the reintroduction of the Employment Rights Bill,and a consultation on customs tariffs. These changes may have implications for members involved in international trade or managing teams across the sector.

US Tariffs

Please continue to share your concerns about/impacts of US tariffs on your business/industry with us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at retailandconsumergoods@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Announcements and Calls for Evidence:

MAC commissioned to review salary requirements and the new TSL

The Home Secretary has written to the Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee to commission a review of salary requirements and the new temporary shortage list.

First published.

Implementing the Employment Rights Bill

The roadmap for delivering the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay.

First published.

UK launches Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

New measures to protect UK from covert foreign influence came into effect on 1 July, strengthening national security, part of the Plan for Change.

First published. See further updates below

Workers in line for £29,000 boost thanks to landmark Pensions Bill

The Bill is set to transform the pensions landscape for years to come and put more money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change

First published.

Safer Streets summer town centre initiative

The Safer Streets summer town centre initiative will run from 30 June until 30 September, in over 500 town centres and high streets across England and Wales.

First published.

Parental leave and pay review: call for evidence

This call for evidence invites views and evidence on the proposed set of objectives for the parental leave and pay system.

First published.

Regulations, Compliance, Procurement, and reporting requirement

Guidance on how the single source regulatory framework applies to qualifying sub-contracts

The guidance identifies and summarises the provisions of the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts which relate to qualifying sub-contracts.

First published.

Goods Movement

Claim repayment or remission of charges on rejected imports

Check time limits and how to claim back import duty and VAT you’ve paid on damaged or rejected imports.

We have clarified how to apply for your circumstances and what to do if you’re VAT registered. A new online form has been added.

Moving processed or repaired goods into free circulation or re-exporting them

Find out how to move your goods from inward processing into free circulation, another special procedure or re-export.

If you completed your full import declaration through the Customs Declaration Service, you can now discharge goods with an authorisation by declaration using the Claim back an import security deposit or guarantee online service.

Exporting or importing objects of cultural interest

What you need to know and do to export or import objects of cultural interest.

Changes to guidance on importing cultural goods into Northern Ireland.

Trade, investment, and export support 

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: guidance for business

Provides information for businesses on how to comply with the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: how to register online

Information on how to use the online service to register with the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and what information will appear on the public register.

Added to the details section that you can only view and submit registrations that you have started. The ability to view and submit registrations started by other users will be added soon.

Trade remedies notices: tariff-rate quotas on steel goods

Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the tariff-rate quotas on steel goods.

‘Trade remedies notice 2025/12: safeguard measure: tariff-rate quota on steel goods’ added.

Jobs boost as UK and Kenya bolster economic and security partnership

The UK and Kenya have agreed new deals to bolster the economic and security partnership between the two countries.

First published.

UK and Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement pillars

The Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) pillars set out the UK’s and Taiwan’s priorities for investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero cooperation.

First published.

Reference Document for The Customs Tariff (Establishment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Find the UK’s most favoured nation tariff rates as referenced in The Customs Tariff (Establishment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

Added: The Tariff of the United Kingdom, version 1.25, dated 18 June 2025 (entry into force 18 July 2025)

UKEF announces enhanced business support to supercharge international trade

UK Export Finance introduces new products that offer enhanced support and security for smaller businesses when trading internationally

First published.

UK Export Finance Country Heads and London Team – Africa

UK Export Finance Country Heads and London Team – Middle East

UK Export Finance Country Heads and London Team – Europe

UK Export Finance Country Heads and London Team – Americas

UK Export Finance Country Heads and London Team – APAC

How to contact UK Export Finance’s Country Heads in the above regions

First published.

Overseas business risk for Guyana

Information on how UK businesses can control risks when operating in Guyana

This guidance has been updated to reflect changes within Guyana’s economy and political landscape.

Sanctions

Who is subject to financial sanctions in the UK?

A guide to the current consolidated list of asset freeze targets, and a list of persons named in relation to financial and investment restrictions under the Russia regulations
HM Treasury Notice, Russia, 01/07/2025 added.

Financial sanctions general guidance

General guidance for UK financial sanctions

Addition to General guidance – section 5.12 – Confidential Reporting to OFSI 

HMRC updates

Rates and allowances: Inheritance Tax thresholds and interest rates

Find the Inheritance Tax thresholds (or nil rate bands) from 1914, and see changes to Inheritance Tax interest rates from October 1988.

The date ‘5 April 2028’ has been updated to ‘5 April 2030’ within the ‘Inheritance Tax thresholds’ and ‘Inheritance Tax additional threshold’ sections. 

Skills, employment, and training

Adult education and skills funding: allocations guidance

Explains how we calculate the different funding lines for adult education and skills funding.

We have updated the guidance with information about free courses for jobs and apprenticeship carry-in allocations.

Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging announcements. 

2025 base fees, fee modulation policy statement, regulatory position statement and interim strategy available.

First published.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: 2025 base fees

Base fees for year 1 (2025 to 2026) of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
First published.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) recyclability assessment obligations: RPS 350

Environment Agency regulatory position on producer obligations to assess the recyclability of household packaging supplied between 1 January and 30 June 2025.

First published.

Environment Agency charge proposals for waste crime and hourly rates

We want your views on proposed new regulatory charges for certain waste activities and hourly rates.

Added the consultation response documents.

T2: cleaning textiles to reuse or recycle

T2 exemption allows you to clean waste clothes and textiles to recover them for reuse or recycling.

Updated with a link to new information about charges and charging bands for waste exemptions