Businesses developing export markets

Information and support is available to businesses that export products and services to international customers.

Businesses in New Forest benefit from easy links to Southampton International Airport and Bournemouth International Airport, as well as to both the international ports of Southampton and Portsmouth.

General information on exporting

The GOV.UK website provides comprehensive advice and guidance on exporting and doing business abroad. Some of the topics covered by this information are listed below.

Sending goods abroad, including posting goods overseas and sending larger orders using a transporter or customs agent/
Taking goods abroad yourself.
The rules for tax if you sell digital services in the EU, for example downloadable videos, music, ebooks or software.
Choosing where to export and finding overseas business opportunities.
Export insurance or finance.
Permissions to provide services in higher risk industries or countries, or to take goods abroad temporarily such as samples for a trade fair.
Export licences and special rules to export restricted goods or sell certain services abroad.

Tax and VAT for international trade

The GOV.UK website provides help and support for international trade, via videos and online guides.

This includes guidance on tax and VAT issues when trading with:

other countries using the internet
countries outside the EU
countries in the EU.

Finding new export markets

The Department for International Trade (DIT) website provides information to help UK businesses to find new markets. This includes guides to identify new export markets and inform your international sales plan.

The DIT also has local trade offices based around the UK, where you can contact an international trade advisor.

For businesses based in New Forest, the local trade office is:

DIT South East
Unit 10
Fulcrum
2 Solent Way
Fareham
PO15 7FN

Phone: 0330 300 0012

New rules for business with the EU

New rules for doing business between the UK and the European Union came into force on 1 January 2021. This may affect exporting your goods and services to EU countries.

Visit the GOV.UK website to check how to get ready for the new rules.