UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2024: commentary
Published 27 March 2026
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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 2024: guidance notes.
For more detailed information for 2024, users can download the UK trade in goods by business characteristics 2024: data tables. These contain exact data that can be used for calculations if users require.
Export summary statistics
Total exports of goods in 2024
£410.1 billion down £12.4 billion or 3% on 2023
Total exporting businesses (enterprises) contributing to the total export of goods in 2024
120,000 down 3,800 or 3% on 2023
Total employees in these exporting businesses (enterprises) in 2024
10.8 million up 371,000 or 4% on 2023
Export trade by industry group
Table 1: UK export trade value (£ billion) in 2023 and 2024, by industry group
| Industry group | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 21.6 | 21.5 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | 32.8 | 31.4 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | 18.5 | 17.1 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | 7.7 | 7.0 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 16.0 | 16.4 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 23.6 | 21.4 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 32.8 | 31.8 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 30.4 | 33.1 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 22.0 | 22.0 |
| Group 10: Services | 187.7 | 179.5 |
| Unknown | 29.4 | 28.8 |
| Total | 422.5 | 410.1 |
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 2023 and 2024, by industry group (ODS, 10.2 KB)
Note:
Group 10: Services data relates to trade in goods made by businesses classified within the Services industry, but not the services they provide.
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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 1: Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2023 and 2024, by industry group
| Industry group | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 0 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | -4 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | -7 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | -9 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 3 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | -10 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | -3 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 9 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 0 |
| Group 10: Services | -4 |
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 2023 and 2024 was driven by:
- Group 10: Services, down from £187.7 billion to £179.5 billion or 4%
- Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s., down from £23.6 billion to £21.4 billion or 10%
These was partially offset by an increase between 2023 and 2024 in Group 8: Aerospace & related machinery, up from £30.4 billion to £33.1 billion or 9%.
Share of the total value of exports in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share, at 44%
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, Group 7: Motor vehicles & transport equipment, and Group 8: Aerospace & related machinery accounted for the joint second largest share, all at 8%
Total number of exporting businesses, by industry group
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was led by:
- Group 10: Services, down 1,700 or 2%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, down 210 or 2%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food, down 200 or 3%
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share at 68%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the second largest share at 10%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the third largest share at 5%
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by industry group
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was dominated by Group 10: Services, up 347,000 or 4%. There were also notable contributions from:
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, up 14,000 or 5%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food, up 11,000 or 2%
These were partially offset by a decrease in the total number of employees in exporting businesses in:
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, down 15,000 or 3%
- Group 3: Chemicals, down 3,500 or 4%
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share at 81%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the second largest share at 5%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the third largest share at 4%
Export trade by business size
Table 2: UK export trade value (£ billion) in 2023 and 2024, by business size
| Employee size | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 employees | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 1 to 9 employees | 18.7 | 18.5 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 31.3 | 32.0 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 57.7 | 58.3 |
| 250 or more employees | 247.6 | 243.3 |
| Unknown | 66.9 | 57.8 |
| Total | 422.5 | 410.1 |
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 2023 and 2024, by business size (ODS, 9.83 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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 2: Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2023 and 2024, by business size
| Employee size | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 employees | -26 |
| 1 to 9 employees | -1 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 2 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 1 |
| 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 2023 and 2024 was led by Large businesses (250 or more employees), down from £247.6 billion to £243.3 billion or 2%.
Share of the total value of exports in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 59%
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (1 to 249 employees) at 27%
- businesses with zero employees at less than 1%
- businesses of unknown size at 14%
Note:
The sum of shares presented above does not equal 100% due to rounding.
Total number of exporting businesses, by business size
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses with:
- 1 to 9 employees, down 2,000 or 3%
- 10 to 49 employees, down 400 or 1%
SMEs (1 to 249 employees) decreased by 2,500 or 2%.
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 4%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees) at 82%
- businesses with zero employees at 2%
- businesses of unknown size at 12%
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by business size
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by Large businesses (250 or more employees), up 399,000 or 5%.
This was partially offset by a decrease in the total number of employees in exporting businesses with:
- 10 to 49 employees, down 11,000 or 2%
- 50 to 249 employees, down 10,000 or 1%
- 1 to 9 employees, down 7,700 or 4%
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 81%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees) at 19%
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 2023 and 2024, by business age
| Age | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 2 to 3 years | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| 4 to 5 years | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| 6 to 9 years | 11.6 | 10.7 |
| 10 to 20 years | 32.3 | 28.0 |
| Over 20 years | 323.6 | 319.7 |
| Unknown | 44.4 | 41.4 |
| Total | 422.5 | 410.1 |
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 2023 and 2024, by business age (ODS, 9.91 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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 3: Percentage change in UK export trade value between 2023 and 2024, by business age
| Age | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | -18 |
| 2 to 3 years | 6 |
| 4 to 5 years | -2 |
| 6 to 9 years | -8 |
| 10 to 20 years | -13 |
| 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 2023 and 2024 was led by:
- businesses between 10 to 20 years of age, down from £32.3 billion to £28.0 billion or 13%
- businesses over 20 years of age, down from £323.6 billion to £319.7 billion or 1%
Share of the total value of exports in 2024:
- businesses aged under 10 years at 5%
- businesses aged 10 years or more at 85%
- businesses of unknown age at 10%
Total number of exporting businesses, by business age
The decrease in the total number of exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was led by:
- businesses 2 to 3 years, down 1,000 or 14%
- businesses 10 to 20 years, down 750 or 3%
This was partially offset by an increase in the number of exporting business over 20 years old, up 280 or 1%.
Share of the total number of exporting businesses in 2024:
- businesses aged under 10 years at 26%
- businesses aged 10 years or more at 65%
- businesses of unknown age at 10%
Note:
The sum of shares presented above does not equal 100% due to rounding.
Total number of employees in exporting businesses, by business age
The increase in the total number of employees in exporting businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses over 20 years old, up 431,000 or 5%.
This was partially offset by a decrease in the number of exporting business that are:
- 4 to 5 years old, down 27,000 or 24%
- 10 to 20 years old, down 17,000 or 3%
- 2 to 3 years old, down 16,000 or 23%
Share of the total number of employees in exporting businesses in 2024:
- employees in businesses aged under 10 years at 4%
- employees in businesses aged 10 years or more at 96%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown age group.
Import summary statistics
Total imports of goods in 2024
£641.2 billion up £4.3 billion or 0.7% on 2023
Total importing businesses (enterprises) contributing to the total imports of goods in 2024
251,000 up 5,300 or 2% on 2023
Total employees in these importing businesses (enterprises) in 2024
13.3 million up 106,000 or 0.8% on 2023
Import trade by industry group
Table 4: UK import trade value (£ billion) in 2023 and 2024, by industry group
| Industry group | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 26.9 | 27.8 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | 47.8 | 51.8 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | 14.9 | 13.7 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | 5.1 | 4.8 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 11.8 | 12.1 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | 13.4 | 12.3 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | 27.2 | 26.4 |
| Group 8: Aerospace and related machinery | 13.1 | 13.6 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | 20.2 | 18.9 |
| Group 10: Services | 423.7 | 424.8 |
| Unknown | 32.8 | 35.1 |
| Total | 636.9 | 641.2 |
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 2023 and 2024, by industry group (ODS, 10.2 KB)
Note:
Group 10: Services data relates to trade in goods made by businesses classified within the Services industry, but not the services they provide.
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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 4: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2023 and 2024, by industry group
| Industry group | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| Group 1: Agriculture & food | 3 |
| Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste | 8 |
| Group 3: Chemicals | -8 |
| Group 4: Pharmaceuticals | -6 |
| Group 5: Electronic & electrical equipment | 3 |
| Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s. | -9 |
| Group 7: Motor vehicles, transport equipment | -3 |
| Group 8 : Aerospace and related machinery | 4 |
| Group 9: Other manufacturing | -6 |
| Group 10: Services | 0 |
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 increase in the total value of imports between 2023 and 2024 was driven by:
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, up from £47.8 billion to £51.8 billion or 8%
- Group 10: Services, up from £423.7 billion to £424.8 billion or less than 1%
This was partially offset by decreases in:
- Group 9: Other manufacturing, down from £20.2 billion to £18.9 billion or 6%
- Group 3: Chemicals, down from £14.9 billion to £13.7 billion or 8%
- Group 6: Machinery & equipment n.e.s., down from £13.4 billion to £12.3 billion or 9%
Share of the total value of imports in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share at 66%
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste accounted for the second largest share at 8%
Total number of importing businesses, by industry group
The increase in the total number of importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by Group 10: Services, up by 7,200 or 4%
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share at 74%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food and Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the joint second largest share, both at 5%
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by industry group
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by:
- Group 10: Services, up 76,000 or 1%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food, up 18,000 or 3%
- Group 2: Mining, petroleum products & waste, up 10,000 or 3%
- Group 7: Motor vehicles & transport equipment, up 7,300 or 5%
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2024:
- Group 10: Services accounted for the largest share at 83%
- Group 1: Agriculture & food accounted for the second largest share at 5%
- Group 9: Other manufacturing accounted for the third largest share at 4%
Import trade by business size
Table 5: UK import trade value (£ billion) in 2023 and 2024, by business size
| Employee size | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 employees | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 1 to 9 employees | 40.9 | 40.2 |
| 10 to 49 employees | 62.2 | 59.4 |
| 50 to 249 employees | 96.6 | 94.5 |
| 250 or more employees | 316.6 | 327.3 |
| Unknown | 120.2 | 119.5 |
| Total | 636.9 | 641.2 |
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 2023 and 2024, by business size (ODS, 9.82 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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 5: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2023 and 2024, by business size
| Employee size | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 employees | -38 |
| 1 to 9 employees | -2 |
| 10 to 49 employees | -4 |
| 50 to 249 employees | -2 |
| 250 or more employees | 3 |
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 increase in the total value of imports between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses with 250 or more employees, up from £316.6 billion to £327.3 billion or 3%.
This was partially offset by a decrease between 2023 and 2024 by SMEs (1 to 249 employees), down from £199.6 billion to £194.1 billion or 3%.
Share of the total value of imports in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 51%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees) at 30%
- businesses with zero employees at less than 1%
- businesses of unknown size, at 19%
Note:
The sum of shares presented above does not equal 100% due to rounding.
Total number of importing businesses, by business size
The increase in the total number of importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses of unknown size. These businesses increased by 9,100 or 14%.
This was partially offset by SMEs (1 to 249 employees) which decreased by 3,300 or 2%.
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 2%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees) at 67%
- businesses with zero employees at 2%
- businesses of unknown size at 29%
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by business size
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by Large businesses (250 or more employees), up 111,000 or 1%.
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2024:
- Large businesses (250 or more employees) at 78%
- SMEs (1 to 249 employees) at 22%
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 2023 and 2024, by business age
| Age | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| 2 to 3 years | 13.5 | 13.0 |
| 4 to 5 years | 15.8 | 16.0 |
| 6 to 9 years | 26.2 | 25.2 |
| 10 to 20 years | 80.0 | 75.5 |
| Over 20 years | 446.1 | 454.8 |
| Unknown | 50.9 | 52.3 |
| Total | 636.9 | 641.2 |
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 2023 and 2024, by business age (ODS, 9.91 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 2024: guidance notes.
Figure 6: Percentage change in UK import trade value between 2023 and 2024, by business age
| Age | Change (%) |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 years | 2 |
| 2 to 3 years | -4 |
| 4 to 5 years | 1 |
| 6 to 9 years | -4 |
| 10 to 20 years | -6 |
| Over 20 years | 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 imports, by business age
The increase in the total value of imports between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses over 20 years old, up from £446.1 billion to £454.8 billion or 2%.
This was partially offset by a decrease in businesses aged 10 to 20 years, down from £80.0 billion to £75.5 billion or 6%.
Share of the total value of imports in 2024:
- businesses aged under 10 years at 9%
- businesses aged 10 years or more at 83%
- businesses of unknown age at 8%
Total number of importing businesses, by business age
The increase in the total number of importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by:
- businesses 0 to 1 years of age, up from 16,000 to 19,000 or 24%
- businesses 6 to 9 years of age, up from 29,000 to 32,000 or 11%
- businesses 4 to 5 years of age, up from 23,000 to 25,000 or 10%
This was partially offset by a decrease in businesses 2 to 3 years of age, down from 31,000 to 28,000 or 10%.
Share of the total number of importing businesses in 2024:
- businesses aged under 10 years at 42%
- businesses aged 10 years or more at 46%
- businesses of unknown age at 13%
Note:
The sum of shares presented above does not equal 100% due to rounding.
Total number of employees in importing businesses, by business age
The increase in the total number of employees in importing businesses between 2023 and 2024 was driven by businesses over 20 years old, up from 11.5 million to 11.7 million or 1%.
This was partially offset by a decrease in businesses 4 to 5 years of age, down from 180,000 to 158,000 or 12%.
Share of the total number of employees in importing businesses in 2024:
- employees in businesses aged under 10 years at 5%
- employees in businesses aged 10 years or more at 95%
Note:
No information is available about the number of employees in the Unknown age group.