Help for businesses looking to export
Different organisations can help your business to export. Who can help depends on what you’re trying to do.
Advice and guidance
For general advice and guidance on exporting, go to:
- Business Gateway
- Scottish Enterprise
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Department for International Trade
- Chambers of Commerce
- HM Revenue & Customs
You might also be able to get help from your bank or a lawyer.
Skills and training
To work out what skills or training you’ll need to export, go to:
- Our Skillsforce
- Scottish Enterprise
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Institute of Export
- Chambers of Commerce
Funding
To find out about getting funding, go to:
- Scottish Enterprise
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- UK Export Finance
- Scottish Investment Bank
- your bank
To get funding, you’ll need an export plan.
Research
Find information on opportunities in different sectors and the people or businesses you can sell to:
It could also be worth looking at the enterprise agency websites of other countries. For example Enterprise Ireland.
To get research that’s specific to your business, contact the Market research service.
Overseas visits
If you’re going to sell to another country it’s good to visit it first. You can get advice and support with this, from:
- Scottish Development International
- Department for International Trade
- Chambers of Commerce
- Connected Scotland
- Universities Scotland
- The British Council
This includes joining trade missions or exhibitions.
Meeting other businesses
To meet other businesses and find out about opportunities to export, go to:
- Scottish Business Network
- Causeway Ireland Scotland Business Exchange
- British-German Business Network
- China Britain Business Council
- Confederation of British Industry
- Institute of Directors
- Federation of Small Businesses
- Chambers of Commerce
- Scottish Enterprise
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Scottish Council for the Development and Industry