Introduction
This project has a mandate to define, document and promote best practice for the import and export of physical books and related products to and from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The guidelines reflect the needs of key stakeholders in the book supply chain and address issues captured at BIC’s successful Business Across Borders Workshop and detailed in the Business Across Borders Workshop Report. This highlighted the need for greater supply chain resilience by addressing the challenges that UK and Ireland businesses face when importing and exporting books globally.
Project group and lead
The project group is made up of BIC member volunteers from across the industry and is led by Stephen Long, an independent consultant with over 35 years book industry experience. The project began in September 2023 and is due to close in February 2025. Completion of the project will be followed by a period of adoption and review.
Project brief
More information can be found in the Project Brief.
Project monthly report
Latest Project Outputs: Published January 2025
VAT. Understand why VAT is an essential attribute of product metadata. The document also provides a high-level summary of what VAT is, how to calculate it and why products that are zero-rated in the UK are not always zero-rated in the Republic of Ireland
Imports to the Republic of Ireland. Gain a better appreciation of how to prevent unnecessary delays and avoid additional costs when exporting goods from the UK to the Republic of Ireland.
Project Outputs: Published September 2023 – December 2024
Glossary. The updated version includes new terms from the project’s latest deliverables. The glossary offers a practical guide to book supply chain terminology, especially where terms can have different meanings according to their use and context.
Supply Chain Maps. Each map focuses on a specific aspect of the supply chain:
– ‘Metadata’ highlights how product information flows between the different organisation types, from product idea through to the end recipient.
– ‘Book and Related Product’ captures key interactions between publisher and packager right through to printer, manufacturer and distributor.
– ‘Business to Business and Direct to Consumer’ takes a closer look at the journey the book or related product takes once it leaves the warehouse for export.
Metadata. Product information isn’t just about discoverability and sales. This document captures those data elements, such as HS codes, sales rights and market availability information that are critical to creating viable product records for the international market.
HS and Commodity Codes. A hands-on guide to what these codes are for and why they matter. Whether you are creating and maintaining product metadata or producing a commercial invoice, you need HS and commodity codes. They inform rates for duties and taxes. Errors can lead to delayed shipments, additional paperwork and unforeseen costs.
Documentation. Captures those essential forms needed for the efficient movement of books and related products around the international supply chain. For each form, the key pieces of information required are detailed. Where a term can have different meanings dependent on the form being completed, we have provided guidance.
Roles and Responsibilities in the Import Export Supply Chain. This document defines supply chain roles and responsibilities and how they tie in with INCOTERMS. Find out how INCOTERMS are an important means of determining supply chain risk.
Please contact us on info@bic.org.uk for more information.