Markets Toolkit - Government Support
There is a huge range of support available from government for businesses looking to explore new markets.
This service allows you to submit specific questions to the government’s experts on selling goods and services around the world. They will respond to you within three days. The page contains a separate link to a dedicated advice service if you are exporting to a market currently subject to any sanctions.
If you are trading with Northern Ireland, this service offers support in understanding the changes since Brexit, as well as being able to complete customs and safety and security declarations on your behalf.
Latest Guidance on Doing Business in Europe
This page lists the latest government guidance on travelling in or doing business in Europe. It includes sections on business travel, important and exporting, providing services to the EU, employing people and exchanging data.
Advice on Customs Changes Since January 2022
This page summarises the changes made to customs processes in January 2022, including customs declarations, border controls, rules of origin, VAT accounting and commodity codes. Note the expected further changes, which were due in July 2022 and are detailed at the bottom of the page, have yet to be implemented. There is more detail on the current expected timeline here.
This page lists the UK’s current and planned international trade agreements. It lists those currently in force, including the agreement with EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, as well as those currently in negotiation or at the consultation stage.
The Customs Declaration Service is the new system through which customs declarations must be made. It is currently expected to replace all previous systems and become the UK’s single customs platform from 30 November 2023. This page contains advice and guidance for traders on getting ready to use it.
The UKCA product conformity marking has been introduced as a replacement for the more familiar, European-based CE marking. This page gives advice and guidance on how and when to use UKCA marking, including for goods imported into the UK. Note: recognition of CE marking for most products placed on the market in Great Britain has been extended until at least December 2024.
Importing good into the UK: a step-by-step guide
This guide covers all the steps required to import into the UK, including EORI numbers, commodity codes, customs declarations, Customs Duty and licensing and certificates.
Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) - information for hauliers
Since January 2022, hauliers must be registered with the GVMS to move goods between Great Britain and the EU. This page explains who needs to register and the process for doing so.
Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)
The TRA defends UK businesses against unfair practices in international trade, including things like products being dumped in UK markets at low prices, or subsidies from foreign governments which create unfair conditions. This page gives details of the TRA, how to request an investigation, details of live cases and guidance on trade remedies.
Doing Business with Government: Guide for SMEs
The Crown Commercial Service provides support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are bidding for public sector contracts.
They provide useful resources and share their tips for SMEs bidding for government contracts. Click here to find out more.
Below are some additional sources of information and guidance from government:
This service lists opportunities to work with the government and its agencies on contracts with between £12,000 and £138,760 (including VAT). It also contains links to the ‘Find a Tender’ service for larger opportunities, and the pages for working with the public sector in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UKCA product conformity marking has been introduced as a replacement for the more familiar, European-based CE marking. This page gives advice and guidance on how and when to use UKCA marking. Note: recognition of CE marking for most products placed on the market in Great Britain has been extended until at least December 2024.
Sources of support for businesses looking to trade internationally. Click here to visit our Markets Toolkit.
This page summarises the support and information available for businesses exploring new markets, including guidance on customs processes, export support, and doing business in Europe or Northern Ireland post-Brexit.