About our services
We are the department for economic growth. Our services support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country and overseas.
Helping businesses sell overseas
great.gov.uk has tailored support and advice for businesses on how to start exporting or increase the amount of goods and services they sell overseas.
You can:
- read guidance for new, occasional and frequent exporters
- find out about services offered by GREAT partners
- use the selling online overseas tool to find the best marketplaces to showcase your products online - you can take advantage of special deals negotiated by the government for UK businesses and find out more about the government’s digital exporting programme
- apply for overseas export opportunities for your products or services
- create a business profile, which will allow you to promote your products and services to international buyers
You can also:
- search for events, trade fairs, missions and webinars relevant to your sector or overseas markets
- see upcoming DBT Ministerial Visits
- read our country export guides to selling overseas
- contact a trade adviser in your area
Ask the export support team a question
Ask the UK government export support team a question to help your UK business export goods or services.
Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods
Find information about how to move goods from the UK to the rest of the world.
Check for barriers to trading and investing abroad
Find information about potential barriers to exporting goods, providing services or investing in foreign countries.
Check if you need to get export licences
You may need to get licences or certificates if you are exporting certain goods.
See our step-by- step guide to exporting goods
Find information on how to move goods from the UK to international destinations, including the EU.
Export finance
The UK government’s credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF) helps companies in the UK to:
- win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms to their buyers
- fulfil orders by supporting working capital loans
- get paid by insuring against buyer default
Find out more about UKEF’s services and products.
New business enquiries
Email customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk
Doing business with integrity
Doing business with integrity means conducting business responsibly, honestly and abiding by ethical principles. You need to consider how your business will deal with unethical practices in your operations and supply chain, such as:
- bribery and corruption
- human rights
- labour rights
- modern slavery
- gender inequality
Conducting business with integrity means you can:
- mitigate the risk of criminal activity and reputational or financial damage
- reassure business partners and clients of your trustworthiness
- outperform companies that are more susceptible to corruption
- help the UK maintain its status as a global leader in the fight against corruption
You can operate with integrity by:
- complying with legislation, such as the UK Bribery Act and the UK Modern Slavery Act
- having a robust corporate governance framework to prevent bribery and corruption
- identifying trustworthy partners abroad, which will enhance trust in your company
- being aware of potential modern slavery and other human rights abuses in operations and supply chains, and taking action to eliminate them
You can read more information about doing business with integrity on great.gov.uk.
Getting local market help to sell overseas
DBT has trade specialists who can help you commission services from local experts overseas. This includes:
- country and sector advice
- local market research
- support during overseas visits
- identification of possible business partners
- preparation for exhibitions and events
Contact a trade adviser in your region who can give you more information.
Helping overseas businesses locate in the UK
great.gov.uk brings together information about investing in the UK. It promotes our country as the natural choice for overseas investment.
It includes:
- reasons why an overseas business should invest in the UK
- sector-specific and region-specific information about the UK economy
You can find out:
- about large capital and foreign direct investment opportunities
- how to connect with companies who help overseas businesses set up in the UK
- how DBT advisors can help with expansion plans
Helping UK businesses expand into overseas markets
Through our network of overseas posts and UK-based trade advisers, DBT can provide support for UK companies wishing to expand into overseas markets, including:
- information on the main forms of overseas investment
- reasons why UK businesses may consider expanding into overseas markets
- information on overseas investment opportunities for your products or services
Connecting overseas buyers with UK businesses
Our find a supplier service allows international buyers to connect with UK businesses. UK buyers looking to be listed on this service can create a business profile.
We link international businesses with the right UK partners and suppliers through meet-the-buyer events, networking receptions, and product launches.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:
- innovation
- international trade
- sustainable development
- promoting opportunity through social mobility
Recipients have benefitted from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, greater press coverage and a boost to staff morale.
Find out if your business is eligible.
Shared parental leave
You and your partner may be able to get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if you’re:
- having a baby
- using a surrogate to have a baby
- adopting a child
- fostering a child who you’re planning to adopt