UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023
Published 27 November 2024
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Introduction
HMRC has linked the UK overseas trade in goods statistics (OTS) with business statistics from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR).
This release details the attributes of businesses (enterprises) that have trade in goods. Attributes are broken down by industry group, size of business (number of employees) and age of business.
Previous releases of the UK trade in goods by business characteristics have not been updated. It is therefore unsuitable to make comparisons with earlier published statistics. For information on data sources and methodology, users are advised to consult the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
For more detailed information for 2023, users can download the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: data tables. These contain exact data that can be used for calculations if users require.
Export summary statistics
Total exports of goods in 2023
£422.5 billion down £9.5 billion (2%) on 2022
Total exporting businesses (enterprises) contributing to the total export of goods in 2023
124,000 down 2,200 (2%) on 2022
Total employees in these exporting businesses (enterprises) in 2023
10.5 million up 57,000 (1%) on 2022
Export trade by industry group
Table 1: UK export trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by industry group
| Industry group | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 22.3 | 21.6 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | 44.4 | 32.8 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | 22.3 | 18.5 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | 11.8 | 7.7 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 15.9 | 16.0 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 21.1 | 23.6 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 26.8 | 32.8 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 24.3 | 30.4 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 21.3 | 22.0 |
| Group 10: Services | 197.7 | 187.7 |
| Unknown | 24.0 | 29.4 |
| Total | 431.9 | 422.5 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download table 1: UK export trade value in 2022 and 2023, by industry group (ODS, 9.78 KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 1: Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2022 and 2023, by industry group
| Industry group | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | -3 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | -26 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | -17 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | -34 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 1 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 12 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 23 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 25 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 3 |
| Group 10: Services | -5 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Note:
Group 10: Services data relates to trade in goods made by businesses classified within the Services industry, but not the services they provide.
Total value of exports, by industry group
The decrease in the total value of exports between 2022 and 2023 was largely led by:
- Group 10: Services, down by 5% from £197.7 billion to £187.7 billion
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, down by 26% from £44.4 billion to £32.8 billion
These were offset by increases between 2022 and 2023 in:
- Group 7: Motor vehicles & transport equipment, up by 23% from £26.8 billion to £32.8 billion
- Group 8: Aerospace & related machinery, up by 25% from £24.3 billion to £30.4 billion
Share of the total value of exports in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 44%
- Group 7: Motor vehicles & transport equipment and Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste accounted for the joint second largest share, both 8%
Total number of exporting businesses, by industry group
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- Group 10: Services, down 1,300 (1%)
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, down 270 (2%)
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 67%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the second largest share, 9%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the third largest share, 5%
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by industry group
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- Group 10: Services, up 62,000 (1%)
- Group 1: Agriculture & food, up 9,900 (2%)
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, up 4,900 (1%)
These were offset by a decrease in the total number of employees in exporting Group 4: Pharmaceuticals, down 17,000 (33%).
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 81%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the second largest share, 5%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the third largest share, 5%
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste accounted for 3%
- Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment accounted for 2%
Export trade by business size
Table 2: UK export trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by business size
| Employee Size | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 employees | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 1 to 9 employees | 18.7 | 18.7 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 32.9 | 31.3 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 59.3 | 57.7 |
| 250 or more employees | 253.8 | 247.6 |
| Unknown | 67.0 | 66.9 |
| Total | 431.9 | 422.5 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download Table 2: UK export trade value in 2022 and 2023, by business size (ODS, 9.35 KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 2: Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2022 and 2023, by business size
| Employee size | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 employees | 25 |
| 1 to 9 employees | 0 |
| 10 to 49 employees | -5 |
| 50 to 249 employees | -3 |
| 250 or more employees | -2 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Total value of exports, by business size
The decrease in the total value of exports between 2022 and 2023 was led by Large businesses (250 or more employees), down by 2% from £253.8 billion to £247.6 billion.
Share of the total value of exports in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 59%
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (1 to 249 employees), 25%
- businesses with zero employees, less than 1%
- businesses of unknown size, 16%
Total number of exporting businesses, by business size
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- businesses with 1 to 9 employees, down 1,200 (2%)
- businesses with 10 to 49 employees, down 600 (2%)
- businesses with zero employees, down 290 (11%)
SMEs (1 to 249 employees) decreased by 1,900 (1.8%).
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 3%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees), 82%
- businesses with zero employees, 2%
- businesses of unknown size, 13%
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by business size
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by Large businesses (250 or more employees), up 74,000 (1%).
This was offset by a decrease in the total number of employees in exporting businesses with 10 to 49 employees, down 14,000 (2%).
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 80%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees), 20%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown size group.
Export trade by business age
Table 3: UK export trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by business age
| Age | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 1.6 | 2.0 |
| 2 to 3 years | 4.8 | 3.8 |
| 4 to 5 years | 5.0 | 4.7 |
| 6 to 9 years | 10.5 | 11.6 |
| 10 to 20 years | 39.8 | 32.3 |
| Over 20 years | 327.8 | 323.6 |
| Unknown | 42.4 | 44.4 |
| Total | 431.9 | 422.5 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download table 3: UK export trade value in 2022 and 2023, by business age (ODS, 9.33 KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 3. Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2022 and 2023, by business age
| Age | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 27 |
| 2 to 3 years | -21 |
| 4 to 5 years | -7 |
| 6 to 9 years | 11 |
| 10 to 20 years | -19 |
| Over 20 years | -1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Total value of exports, by business age
The decrease in the total value of exports between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- businesses between 10 to 20 years of age, down by 19% from £39.8 billion to £32.3 billion
- businesses over 20 years of age, down by 1% from £327.8 billion to £323.6 billion
Share of the total value of exports in 2023:
- businesses aged under 10 years, 5%
- businesses aged over 10 years, 84%
- businesses of unknown age, 11%
Total number of exporting businesses, by business age
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- businesses 0 to 1 years, down 1,100 (24%)
- businesses 2 to 3 years, down 600 (8%)
This was offset by an increase in the number of exporting business over 20 years old, up 740 (1%).
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2023:
- businesses aged under 10 years, 26%
- businesses aged over 10 years, 63%
- businesses of unknown age, 11%
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by business age
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by businesses over 20 years old, up 109,000 (1%).
This was offset by a decrease in the number of exporting business 2 to 3 years old, down 32,000 (30%).
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2023:
- employees in businesses aged under 10 years, 4%
- employees in businesses aged over 10 years, 96%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown age group.
Import summary statistics
Total import of goods in 2023
£636.9 billion down £29.8 billion (4%) on 2022
Total importing businesses (enterprises) contributing to the total imports of goods in 2023
246,000 down 4,000 (2%) on 2022
Total employees in these importing businesses (enterprises) in 2023
13.2 million up 219,000 (2%) on 2022
Import trade by industry group
Table 4: UK import trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by industry group
| Industry Group | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 27.9 | 26.9 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | 70.5 | 47.8 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | 19.6 | 14.9 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | 7.9 | 5.1 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 12.5 | 13.4 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 22.2 | 27.2 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 10.8 | 13.1 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 21.9 | 20.2 |
| Group 10: Services | 426.8 | 423.7 |
| Unknown | 34.6 | 32.8 |
| Total | 666.7 | 636.9 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download Table 4: UK import trade value in 2022 and 2023, by industry group (ODS, 9.79 KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 4: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2022 and 2023, by industry group
| Industry group | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | -4 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | -32 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | -24 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | -35 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | -1 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 8 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 22 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 21 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | -8 |
| Group 10: Services | -1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Note:
Group 10: Services data relates to trade in goods made by businesses classified within the Services industry, but not the services they provide.
Total value of imports, by industry group
The decrease in the total value of imports between 2022 and 2023 was largely led by:
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, down by 32% from £70.5 billion to £47.8 billion
- Group 3: Chemicals, down by 24% from £19.6 billion to £14.9 billion
Share of the total value of imports in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 67%
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste accounted for the second largest share, 8%
Total number of importing businesses, by industry group
The decrease in the total number of importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- Group 10: Services, down 2,400 (1%)
- Group 1: Agriculture & food, down 850 (7%)
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, down 480 (3%)
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 73%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the second largest share, 6%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the third largest share, 5%
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by industry group
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- Group 10: Services, up 229,000 (2%)
- Group 7: Motor vehicles & transport equipment, up 2,300 (2%)
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, up 1,400 (0.3%)
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2023:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, 83%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the second largest share, 5%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the third largest share, 4%
Import trade by business size
Table 5: UK import trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by business size
| Employee Size | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 employees | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| 1 to 9 employees | 42.5 | 40.9 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 70.3 | 62.2 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 97.2 | 96.6 |
| 250 or more employees | 319.0 | 316.6 |
| Unknown | 137.1 | 120.2 |
| Total | 666.7 | 636.9 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download Table 5: UK import trade value in 2022 and 2023, by business size (ODS, 9.31KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 5: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2022 and 2023, by business size
| Employee size | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 employees | -11 |
| 1 to 9 employees | -4 |
| 10 to 49 employees | -12 |
| 50 to 249 employees | -1 |
| 250 or more employees | -1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Total value of imports, by business size
The decrease in the total value of imports between 2022 and 2023 was largely led by businesses with 10 to 49 employees, down by 12% from £70.3 billion to £62.2 billion.
Share of the total value of imports in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 50%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees), 31%
- businesses with zero employees, less than 1%
- businesses of unknown size, 19%
Total number of importing businesses, by business size
The decrease in the total number of importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by:
- businesses with 1 to 9 employees, down 4,200 (4%)
- businesses with 10 to 49 employees, down 1,100 (2%)
- businesses with zero employees, down 1,000 (16%)
SMEs (1 to 249 employees) decreased by 5,300 (3%).
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 2%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees), 69%
- businesses with zero employees, 2%
- businesses of unknown size, 26%
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by business size
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by Large businesses (250 or more employees), up 252,000 (3%).
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2023:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees), 77%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees), 23%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown size group.
Import trade by business age
Table 6: UK import trade value (£ billion) in 2022 and 2023, by business age
| Age | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 7.3 | 4.3 |
| 2 to 3 years | 15.9 | 13.5 |
| 4 to 5 years | 10.9 | 15.8 |
| 6 to 9 years | 26.4 | 26.2 |
| 10 to 20 years | 88.9 | 80.0 |
| Over 20 years | 451.8 | 446.1 |
| Unknown | 65.4 | 50.9 |
| Total | 666.7 | 636.9 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Download Table 6: UK import trade value in 2022 and 2023, by business age (ODS, 9.33 KB)
Note:
Businesses are classified in the Unknown group for several reasons. These are related to data matching issues for their registered details, invalid details, their location, or type of trade. Further details can be found in the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2023: guidance notes.
Figure 6: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2022 and 2023, by business age
| Age | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | -41 |
| 2 to 3 years | -15 |
| 4 to 5 years | 45 |
| 6 to 9 years | -1 |
| 10 to 20 years | -10 |
| Over 20 years | -1 |
Source: UK overseas trade in goods statistics from HM Revenue & Customs, and Inter-Departmental Business Register from the Office for National Statistics
Total value of imports, by business age
The decrease in the total value of imports between 2022 and 2023 was led by businesses between 10 to 20 years of age, down by 10% from £88.9 billion to £80.0 billion.
Share of the total value of imports in 2023:
- businesses aged under 10 years, 9%
- businesses aged over 10 years, 83%
- businesses of unknown age, 8%
Total number of importing businesses, by business age
The decrease in the total number of importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by businesses 0 to 1 years of age, down by 35% from 24,000 to 16,000.
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2023:
- businesses aged under 10 years, 40%
- businesses aged over 10 years, 46%
- businesses of unknown age, 14%
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by business age
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2022 and 2023 was led by businesses over 20 years old, up by 3% from 11.3 million to 11.5 million.
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2023:
- employees in businesses aged under 10 years, 6%
- employees in businesses aged over 10 years, 94%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown age group.