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Export Support Service

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has recently launched a new service to help companies exporting to Europe.

What is the Export Support Service (ESS)?

The Export Support Service is a new helpline and online service where all UK businesses can get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe.

The service is a ‘one-stop shop’ and brings together UK government information, making it easier for exporters to access advice and support.  

British businesses exporting to Europe will now be able to access one-to-one advice via the new phone and online service.

From queries around rules of origin, to guidance on recognising professional qualifications and entering new markets, the Export Support Service will provide a single point of contact. It will help exporters navigate a range of complex information simply and quickly. 

The helpline and digital enquiry service launched on 1 October 2021.

Key details about the service

  • The Export Support Service is a new government helpline and online service where all UK businesses can get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe.
  • It gives access to cross government information and support all in one place.
  • If you are a UK business you can use this free service, no matter the size of your business or which part of the UK you are based.
  • DIT will continue to work with businesses and business representative groups from all sectors, in all parts of the UK, to help make the service as useful as possible for businesses. 

You can access the Export Support Service at GOV.UK/ask-export-support-team or by calling 0300 303 8955 where you will be put in touch with a member of the dedicated export support team.

The service comes ahead of the upcoming launch of the government’s Export Strategy. The strategy will promote UK business’s ability to seize the opportunities to sell goods and services around the globe.

Here’s a guide with more details: Export Support Service for UK businesses.

What other support is available from DIT to help you export your services?

Take advantage of trade support: From Export Academies and trade shows to sector-specific programmes, DIT delivers packages of support for UK exporters. 

Speak to specialists and experienced exporters: Dedicated International Trade Advisors (ITAs) develop long-term relationships with businesses to build their exporting credentials. In 2018/2019, ITAs supported over 7,000 businesses across the UK. DIT also has a community of experienced exporters who share their expertise with UK businesses looking to export. As of 30 June 2021, it included 427 individuals from businesses with a wealth of experience, sharing their exporting know-how with new and inexperienced exporters. They provide informal advice through events and campaigns.

Apply for funding: The Internationalisation Fund, is open to SMEs in England that have significant potential to grow international sales. The Fund has facilitated £4m of support to SMEs attending Trade Fairs. The fund is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is managed through four regional projects: The Northern Powerhouse Internationalisation Fund, Midlands Internationalisation Fund, South Internationalisation Fund and London Internationalisation Fund.

Find out the facts: UK is home to accessible information to make exporting easier. From rules and restrictions to what exporting documents you need. If you can’t find what you need, get in touch through our new Export Support Service: www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team and 0300 303 8955

UK Export Finance (UKEF): The government’s award-winning credit agency aims to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, while operating at no net cost to the taxpayer. It has recently backed a range of UK exports across Europe, including fishing trawlers to Ireland, a solar power plant in Spain and aircraft maintenance services to Estonia, and has billions of pounds worth of available capacity to support more deals on the continent.

More details on exporting support can be found here: great.gov.uk

Image credits: 

USGS | Unsplash

DIT

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