Gary Grumble 24th Feb

I’ve just talked to a mature gent (71) who is an honest exporter of non strategic industrial goods. He got an order from Iran which is not unusual for him as he has exported to Iran for 26 years, he knows the form, he went through all the hoops e.g. The Iran list etc. He was told his goods did not need an export licence, he went ahead and booked the shipment only to find it detained by HMRC and the Border security people. Despite prompt response to the questions asked it took him nearly 3 weeks to get the shipment reinstated, he was told (would you believe) that the goods did not need an export licence.

He was more than upset to find all this cost him about £2000 in demurrage, storage, reconsigning etc.

He read in the newspaper that the Government were looking for an export led recovery to solve our economy and recessionary ills. “They are having a laugh aren’t they?” he said “ I need some kind of recovery myself”

My advice to our friend who feels like an innocent man sentenced to working on the chain gang.?

Write to David Cameron !!!