Smooth sailing for crab exporter

A London-based SME clinches an export deal thanks to quick and accurate advice on documentation procedures from the Enterprise Europe Network.

As part of the Enterprise Europe Network, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) runs an enquiry service to help local SMEs. It recently got a call from a two-person company seeking information on the proper documentation for exporting live crabs to China. The company had received a large rush order and needed an answer as quickly as possible. The exporter had already tried several local helplines and organisations, only to be repeatedly referred elsewhere. The search fortunately led to LCCI, which answered the query within a day.

Edward Ricketts, a business advice executive with LCCI and the Network, called the animal exports unit at the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) after failing to find the relevant information online.

Defra recommended contacting the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Acquaculture Science (CEFAS), an internationally known aquatic scientific research and consultancy firm. CEFAS informed the company that it needed a health certificate for the specific type of crustacean. It then walked the company through all the steps for acquiring the necessary document. Ricketts also provided the company with pages from a guide on exporting to China that was unavailable online. The export order was fulfilled, and the Enterprise Europe Network had another satisfied customer.

The Network has links with the EU institutions and direct contact with local organisations. It can act as an intermediary for businesses between the EU, big multinationals and local actors like regional authorities, tax authorities, or customs and excise. “The added value in this case is that we actually called the relevant government department and did not just pass the company on to someone else,” says Ricketts.

For more information please contact Enterprise Europe Network London at 020 7940 1512 / innovation@gle.co.uk