Guidance

Bribery and corruption in trade: reducing the risk

When dealing with UK trading partners you may need to prove that your business and supply chain is free from bribery and corruption.

This guidance will help you prove that your business and supply chain is free from bribery and corruption. It explains what training is available, and what records to keep.

UK Bribery Act

UK businesses must comply with the UK Bribery Act, which prohibits all bribery and corruption. This law includes trading relationships and supply chains. UK businesses will deal with you only if you can show you are also trading free from bribery and corruption.

UK businesses will expect you to be:

  • aware of the risks of bribery and corruption

  • committed to communicating awareness to your employees and business partners

Identify bribery and corruption

Corruption can be large or small-scale. For example, you may be asked for low-value ‘facilitation’ payments for better or faster service, such as for customs clearance or issuing licences. Or officials may require extravagant gifts or hospitality to include your business in tenders.

Question potential partners if they:

  • refuse to provide documentation, sign contracts or take part in due diligence
  • ask for undocumented fees, cash payments or donations to overseas accounts or charities

Reduce the risks

To avoid bribery and corruption you should:

Assess risks

Make list of the risks of bribery and corruption, in your country, your sector, and among your suppliers and employees.

Research potential trading partners

These resources can help you evaluate potential business partners and deals using methods recognised by international buyers:

Train your people

Train your people in how to identify and avoid the risks of bribery and corruption.

The ISO37001 Anti-bribery Management System is recognised internationally by the World Trade Organisation. It is based on the OECD framework and developed with businesses and the British Standards Institute (BSI).

The BSI provides affordable training for businesses as part of it’s ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System. The Certificate of Conformity from completing this training is recognised by the International Chambers of Commerce terms (Incoterms) in global markets, such as the UK and the EU.

Further free training resources include:

Keep records

Keep records of your avoidance, training and mitigation procedures so you can show UK businesses and customers you have taken appropriate action.

This guidance is provided as part of the UK government’s Growth Gateway service.

Updates to this page

Published 20 May 2022

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