Help and support for exporting
Advice and support available to companies considering exporting.
Before you make your first move into an overseas market, it's essential that you get advice and support. This will increase your chances of getting it right and significantly boosting your business.
There is a range of support available to new and established businesses to help you start trading successfully outside Northern Ireland.
This guide highlights the various export training programmes and details the available financial support for exporting and research support for exporting.
Export training programmes
Find out about the available training programmes for exporters.
Training programmes and seminars provide an opportunity to get a feel for the potential of overseas markets. There is a range of export training and support available for you to access.
Invest Northern Ireland programmes
Currently, Invest NI delivers the Going Dutch programme which can help you gain access to Holland. This assistance provides businesses with consultancy support, in addition to helping you with tailored market research and market visits.
- Going Dutch - a structured programme to help businesses with little or no experience of trading outside the British Isles to explore new opportunities in Holland.
Invest Northern Ireland seminars
Invest Northern Ireland holds free seminars to help businesses explore export opportunities. These sessions give companies an understanding of how to do business in specific countries. Invest Northern Ireland's overseas trade advisers are available at the seminars to provide advice. View the Invest NI International Trade Calendar.
Business Academy
The Business Academy from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) gives businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world by learning from experts in international trade.
It is open to any business in the UK who has a product or service that can be sold internationally. It is for businesses who know that they want to reach international customers and contracts in the future, as well as those who might already be selling beyond the UK and want to expand into new markets.
The Business Academy is delivered in various stages depending on your skill level. These include digital skills, running and growing a business and selling overseas.
Find out more about the Business Academy.
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
NI Chamber have a suite of tailored programmes of support to help your business grow locally and internationally.
Find out more about NI Chamber training and events.
InterTradeIreland
InterTradeIreland’s First-Time Exporters Accelerator programme is a practical, fully funded programme of support including mentoring and training in export strategy development, export market analysis and business networking opportunities.
The programme is for SMEs who have little or no experience of trading cross-border. Participating businesses will experience a stimulating and fully supported, training and mentoring programme designed to accelerate cross-border sales.
Find out more about the First-Time Exporters Accelerator programme.
InterTradeIreland’s Digital Sales Webinars are designed to provide practical guidance for businesses wishing to develop their digital skills and know-how.
This series of webinars are delivered by leading digital experts and include practical demonstrations of how to implement various digital disciplines utilising best practice.
Find out more about the Digital Sales webinars.
Council export support schemes
Local councils run programmes that provide export support. Current programmes include:
- Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council - International Trade and Development Programme
Financial support for trade and development missions for businesses who want to be equipped with the relevant in-depth knowledge, know-how and confidence to successfully operate in new markets - find out more.
Business finance and support finder
The Business Finance and Support Finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded sources of assistance including training programmes. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.
Financial support for exporting
Learn about the financial support schemes available to exporters.
There are many sources of government funding for businesses in Northern Ireland wanting to trade overseas.
UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK's export credit agency providing trade finance and insurance to assist UK exporters of all sizes and across all sectors. The government department supports exports of all types, including goods, services and intellectual property.
Its regional network of Export Finance Advisers offers free export finance advice and guidance to UK exporters. This includes access to information on solving the financial challenges involved in selling overseas, including issues such as obtaining credit insurance to protect your business while taking advantage of international sales opportunities. Export Finance Advisers can also advise on UKEF's range of government-backed guarantees and insurance products.
Win contracts: financing
The attractive financing terms UKEF can offer to overseas buyers of UK goods and services can help exporters make their offering more competitive.
- Buyer Credit Facilities
- Local Currency Financing
- Direct Lending
- Early Project Services Guarantee
- Lines of Credit
- Standard Buyer Loan Guarantee
- Bills and Notes Guarantee
Fulfil orders: guarantee schemes
UKEF can help companies access the support they need to fulfil a contract, giving them the confidence to take on more contracts and increase their turnover.
- Bond Support Scheme
- Export Development Guarantee
- Export Working Capital Scheme
- General Export Facility
- Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme
- Supply Chain Discount Guarantee
To learn more about the UKEF guarantee schemes, email customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact your local export finance manager.
Get paid: insurance
UKEF can help companies manage risks in challenging markets, ensuring that they get paid even where the private market is not able to offer insurance.
The Export Working Capital Scheme helps UK exporters access working capital finance for specific export-related contracts.
UKEF can provide partial guarantees covering up to 80% of the risk to lenders to cover the credit risks associated with export working capital facilities both pre- and post-shipment. Find out more about the Export Working Capital Scheme.
Businesses in Northern Ireland can email UKEF's local Export Finance Manager at elizabeth.mccrory@ukexportfinance.gov.uk.
Invest Northern Ireland
Access to Finance is a package of five funds that help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential. The financial support is available through loans and equity, to businesses of different sizes or at different stages of growth or development.
InterTradeIreland
InterTradeIreland offers a range of support to export businesses, for example:
The Acumen programme can assist you to source and fund the right people to help you increase your cross-border export sales, including helping you improve your knowledge of the market and identify new business opportunities.
Business finance and support finder
The Business Finance and Support Finder is a searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded sources of assistance. Support may be available in a number of forms, including financial assistance and free or subsidised advice services.
In-market support for exporting
Learn more about the in-market support schemes available to exporters.
Once you are established in your business in a chosen market there are numerous support schemes to provide ongoing support.
Trade Advisory Service
The Trade Advisory Service provides businesses with tailored export consultancy from Invest Northern Ireland advisors based in overseas markets. For information on the Trade Advisory Service call the Invest NI Business Support Team helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
Department for Business and Trade in-market support
Eligible UK businesses can access trade expertise and knowledge on exporting to specific countries from the Department for Business Trade’s (DBT) global network of international market hubs.
Businesses referred to a regional hub can expect to receive:
- one-to-one advice from an in-market trade adviser who can help businesses consider their next steps
- access to a wide range of sector reports, market intelligence, and guides related to things to consider on exporting to those markets
- introductions to a network of private sector service providers to help businesses with issues on a commercial basis, including local accountants, legal experts, and sector specialists
To be considered for support, businesses should have a:
- turnover of £500,000 or more
- product or service ready to export
Businesses should also have some experience of exporting already and be looking to enter or expand to a new market.
Research support for exporting
Learn about the available research support for exporters.
It's important to know which markets offer the best fit with your business so that you can effectively target your export activity. Invest Northern Ireland has extensive databases and expertise to help you research export markets. Focused market research will increase your chances of successfully selling into markets outside Northern Ireland.
Invest Northern Ireland Business Information Centre
The Invest NI Business Information Centre is based in Invest NI headquarters in Bedford Street, Belfast. It provides free access to market research, worldwide databases of potential customers or suppliers and directories listing exhibitions, trade journals and newspapers. To access this information, call the Invest NI Business Support Team helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422. See research competitors and markets.
Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offers local support and advice to help businesses make the most of the opportunities in the European Union. The team can provide guidance on European Union funding, business opportunities and legislation. To access the support available through the Enterprise Europe Network, call the Invest NI Business Support Team helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
InterTradeIreland Acumen programme
InterTradeIreland's Acumen programme can assist you to source and fund the right people to help you increase your cross-border export sales North or South to help you improve your knowledge of the market and identify new business opportunities.
Advisory support for exporting
Learn about the advisory support available for exporters.
There are several sources of advice for businesses in Northern Ireland wanting to trade overseas.
Trader Support Service
Changes have been made to the way goods move in and out of Northern Ireland. If you have not already prepared for these changes, you may be unable to move your goods.
The Trader Support Service can help your business adapt to the changes. The service is free to use and:
- offers comprehensive education, training and advice about the changes to the way your goods move under the Windsor Framework
- can complete customs and safety and security declarations on your behalf where these are required for movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland so you do not have to access HMRC systems directly
Sign up for the Trader Support Service.
UK Export Academy
Business owners and entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland can receive tailored support to boost their exporting skills and sell their goods and services to new markets worldwide.
Export Academy modules, which are delivered online and free of charge, are open to all Northern Ireland businesses regardless of their size or stage of exporting journey, to ensure that as many businesses as possible can learn from experts in international trade and successfully sell around the world.
See the latest UK Export Academy webinars.
Northern Ireland Customs and Trade Academy (NICTA)
The Northern Ireland Customs and Trade Academy (NICTA) is an online learning platform preparing firms for new processes involved in moving goods under the Windsor Framework.
Developed as part of the Trader Support Service (TSS), NICTA provides online training, webinars and ‘how-to’ guides to all those involved in trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Access support from the Northern Ireland Customs & Trade Academy.
Export Support Service (ESS)
The Export Support Service is a UK government helpline and online service that businesses can access to get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe.
It is a free service available to all UK businesses. You can access the Export Support Service online or call the export support team on Tel 0300 303 8955.
If you’re a UK business trading with Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus or Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and have questions about the current trading situation, contact the UK government's export support team.
Invest Northern Ireland support
Invest NI offers a range of advisory support to businesses planning to sell outside Northern Ireland:
- Export Health Check - The Invest NI Export Health Check will help you assess your existing exporting capability. By answering a few short questions, you will be provided with a tailored guide that will give you the tools to develop your own bespoke export strategy.
- In-market research - Trade Advisers are based in Brazil, China (Beijing), Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Australia, Dubai, Europe, India, London (construction sector), Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United States of America. Additionally, specialist food advisors are located in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
- Trade Advisory Services (TAS) GB/ROI - the Trade Advisory Service service provides consultants to work with businesses and assist them in growing their sales in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. New exporters can benefit from practical advice in identifying and addressing barriers to export trade while experienced exporters will benefit from increased export sales through current and new export market development and capability development.
- Legal advice - assistance for companies new to exporting or selling into new overseas markets. This support is subject to eligibility criteria.
- Translation services - support for translation services for businesses new to foreign language markets and interpreting services for in-market meetings. This support is subject to eligibility criteria.
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
NI Chamber offers technical expertise, training and advice, specific to the needs of companies trading from and with Northern Ireland.
View the range of export training courses.
The Export Documentation service from NI Chamber offers a range of services to help exporters complete the necessary paperwork required when exporting.
NI Chamber can help your business with customs declarations by processing import declarations to the Customs Declarations Service (CDS) for movements from GB to NI. To register for this service you should email: dawn.robertson@northernirelandchamber.com.
NI Chamber can also review your import and export processes to ensure that current processes are compliant and that the correct documentation and appropriate codes accompany export activity. To register for this service you should email: dawn.robertson@northernirelandchamber.com.
InterTradeIreland
InterTradeIreland offers various advisory support schemes to help businesses export.
Funding Advisory Service
InterTradeIreland’s Funding Advisory Service for Established Businesses is aimed at SMEs who are looking for new or alternative sources of funding to finance business growth.
20 companies each year will be allowed to participate in the programme. 14 from the Republic of Ireland six from Northern Ireland. The programme's objective is to improve participants' capacity to raise finance to enable their businesses to grow.
Note applicants to the programme will be required to have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000 (or €uro equivalent), have a trading history of a minimum of 18 months and should have attended a workshop. Applicants to the programme will be required to submit their most recent annual accounts and a business plan.
Trade Export Pathway
InterTradeIreland’s Trade Export Pathway offers free, specialist support to grow your exports across six different steps of the pathway. It’s a quick and simple application process and your business will benefit from bespoke support tailored to your specific needs.
The Trade Export Pathway aims to help businesses graduate from being non-exporters, first-time exporters, inexperienced exporters, and experienced exporters, to become advanced exporters.
Tailored support is available for each of the below steps, allowing you to have a specialist work with you and your business to help establish and grow your exports over time.
- Charting your route: develop your cross-border export plan
- Reaching the customer: develop your cross-border export marketing strategy
- Opening the door: entering your target market
- Selling your product: building sales development skills
- Growing your exports: cross-border lead prospecting and generation
- Measuring your success: cross-border business strategy development
Cross-Border Trade Hub
InterTradeIreland has created a comprehensive business hub, which contains the latest information for businesses engaged in, or planning to engage in, cross-border trade between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Cross-Border Trade Hub provides information on a variety of topics, including trade in goods and services, focusing on customs, VAT, regulation and cross-border employment.
Access the Cross-Border Trade Hub.
Business finance and support finder
Finding opportunities for exporting
How to find opportunities for exporting.
Having knowledge of specific products or services that are in demand outside Northern Ireland, and keeping up-to-date on the latest contract opportunities, can help boost your business performance and profitability. There is support available to help you identify these openings.
Invest Northern Ireland support
- Tenders alert service - businesses can register to receive alerts of competitions for public sector contracts, which have just been advertised and match your area of expertise. The service costs £100 per annum. To sign up for tender notifications, call the Invest NI Boosting Business helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422. See research competitors and markets.
- Tender guides - specific guides have been developed to assist you tender for new opportunities. You can download: The Tender Process (PDF, 646KB), Top tips for successful tendering (PDF, 590KB), Preparation and understanding the market (PDF, 793KB).
- Workshops - there are regular workshops listed on our Events Finder that can assist with business tendering.
Network support for exporting
Available networking support for exporters.
When you're moving into a new business area, it pays to use the advice of people who already have significant experience. Other people who have been through the same processes can offer invaluable advice. They can also warn you of the potential pitfalls.
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland provides services and programmes that put inexperienced international traders in touch with experienced traders to learn and share ideas.
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
NI Chamber run various high profile networking events, connections and forums to help local businesses connect.
Finding support for our export business – Titanic Distillers
Siobhán Winston, General Manager at Titanic Distillers, explains the export support that has helped the company grow.
Titanic Distillers is the first Belfast based whiskey distillery in over 90 years. The business is based in the shipyard where the Titanic and many of its sister vessels were built.
This distillery marks a major revival of Belfast's whiskey-making tradition, an industry dormant since the era of prohibition in the 1930s.
Siobhán Winston, General Manager at Titanic Distillers, shares the company's journey into exporting, which countries they currently export to, how those countries were chosen and the support that helped their growth.
Preparing to export
"We currently export to numerous countries including the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Ukraine, Denmark, and the Netherlands."
"While researching these markets, I conducted comprehensive case studies for each country to understand the market landscape before engaging with potential distributors. It was essential to research the various market requirements, including regulatory compliance, labelling laws, import duties, and other standard compliance criteria unique to each country. "
"Exporting plays a big role in our company’s growth. It helps us reach new customers, expands our sales beyond the local market, and reduces risk by not relying on just one region. "
"Going international has also pushed us to improve our products and stay competitive, as different markets often have distinct preferences. Overall, this expansion has been key to scaling the business and spotting new opportunities."
Business challenges
"One of the biggest challenges we faced was navigating the different rules and regulations in each country; it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. We managed this by thorough research and relying on local contacts familiar with specific details. Identifying the right distributors was crucial for successfully entering new markets."
"Another challenge was the lengthy time required to establish new export channels. Looking back, we would have set more realistic expectations for this timeline."
"We also encountered barriers when competing for funding or accessing support, as the Irish whiskey market has grown significantly, increasing competition with other new brands looking for guidance and resources."
Events and networking
"Establishing strong networks in target markets is vital. These networks provide insights into local market dynamics, help mitigate risks, and facilitate connections with key stakeholders."
"We have participated in many trade missions and exhibitions including ProWein, an international trade fair for wine and spirits, with Invest NI. We also joined the Going Dutch programmes with Invest NI and recently travelled to Japan with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)."
Support and guidance
"Securing financial and advisory support has been key to our success. Access to the right financial resources allowed efficient scaling, investment in key areas, and effective cash flow management during growth phases."
“We have had support from Invest NI on their Going Dutch programme, trade stand assistance at ProWein and arranged meetings with potential distributors in new territories."
"Ongoing support from DBT through trade missions to the US, Europe, and Japan has also been invaluable."
Finding support for our export business - Shnuggle
Sinead Murphy, co-founder of Shnuggle, shares how the business has expanded into international markets with help from business support in Northern Ireland.
Based in Newtownards, County Down, Shnuggle designs innovative baby products to make parenting easier.
The company has grown into a multi-award-winning baby brand, trusted by parents around the world. Today, Shnuggle exports to more than 40 countries, with its largest markets in South Korea, New Zealand and the USA.
Sinead Murphy, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, explains how the business began its export journey, the support received along the way, and how it managed challenges to reach new markets.
Preparing to export
“When exploring a new market, we consider a range of factors. We look at cultural differences, popular baby products and the success of other brands in that market. Exhibiting at major industry trade shows has also been important - it allows us to meet potential business-to-business customers from new markets who are often keen to represent our brand.”
“At Shnuggle, product safety and quality are always our top priorities. Each product goes through extensive safety testing, and different markets often have their own additional requirement beyond those in the UK or EU.”
“Some partners prefer to create their own marketing materials, while others use the UK version of our assets. We work closely with them to maintain brand consistency while adapting to local needs.”
“Exporting now represents almost 50% of Shnuggle’s business. When we first launched, we sold to customers in the UK and Ireland. Expanding into global markets has been transformative for our company.”
Business challenges
“International growth has brought challenges, but none that we haven’t been able to overcome. As your products gain popularity, the risk of imitation increases. However, being the original brand owner and designer gives you the options to protect and reduce this risk.”
“Staying informed about economic, social and environmental changes in each market is also important. We’ve experienced occasional disruptions from extreme weather events and elections, so maintaining regular contact with our overseas partners is essential.”
Events and networking
“We’ve exhibited at major trade fairs across Europe, the USA and China, and we also support partners to showcase the brand in their own markets.”
“Our first major trade mission was through Invest NI’s Going Dutch programme, which helped a small group of local brands meet with potential distributors in Amsterdam. That experience led to our launch in the Netherlands, and we then applied the same approach to entering other new markets.”
“Entering a new market can sometimes seem daunting. A strong network in your target market is invaluable. The Invest NI teams in offices around the world have been a great source of support. Their local experts have helped us research baby retail trends within those markets.”
Support and guidance
“Over the years, Shnuggle has benefited from support and guidance from various organisations. Our first Business Bootcamp was provided by our local council, Ards and North Down, where we were matched with a business mentor who helped us the business basics and later joined our board.”
“As an Invest NI client, we received support to attend trade shows, recruit new staff and deliver marketing activity. We also took part in an InterTradeIreland sales development programme, which helped us grow cross-border trade. Through the Springboard programme, and with guidance from a business mentor, we were better prepared to pitch for investment as we continued to grow and scale.”
“Compared to our industry peers in Great Britain, we’ve had excellent opportunities to access support, including funding for travel and international exhibitions - support that has been crucial in helping us compete on the world stage.”
“Access to business funding information has improved greatly since we started Shnuggle. It was once difficult to know what was available, but now it’s much easier to search online and find support based on your business needs.”
“We’ve built a brand that’s recognised worldwide for safety and quality, as well as a workplace where our team can develop their skills and grow with us.”