Businesses international trade opportunities - Live Webchat - 24 January

Businesses in the UK are missing out on international trade opportunities because they do not fully understand how to operate in foreign markets according to new government research. International trade is the natural step for companies looking to reach new customers but red tape; risks associated with new markets and over cautiousness are preventing many from taking the plunge.

So what's the key to getting your business into foreign markets? There is undoubtedly an element of risk and there are innumerable challenges from dealing with international paperwork, transactions, distributors and freights.

To help UK businesses looking to trade overseas, Business Link has launched the first phase of its International Trade Single Window project. It is the first and only place where UK businesses can access all the key government information they need for international trading. It aims to educate small businesses about a variety of issues including:

• Understanding your tax obligations when importing or exporting.
• Understanding what customs procedures and reliefs apply to you.
• The rules and regulations that apply to exporting to different countries
• Understanding import and export transactions

For more information visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade