INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Don’t get stuck in customs. Your goods have somewhere to be.

Whether you are sending goods to an established customer or entering a new international market, the right documentation and processes matter. Our award-winning team of 25 international trade experts can help you understand what is required, avoid unnecessary delays and identify opportunities to reduce costs through Free Trade Agreements. Explore our services...

Talk to one of our experts

Business West International Trade Services

  • Facilitated £1.6bn of trade through processing 18,000 documents
  • 25 international trade experts
  • One of the UK’s leading international trade service providers
  • Award-winning international trade team
  • Decades of experience
  • An authorised issuer of UK Certificates of Origin

Business West is an authorised issuing authority for UK Certificates of Origin, operating under the authority of the UK Government and following British Chambers of Commerce guidance.

The team are very quick to respond and helpful. They give in-depth explanations of what needs correcting and how to obtain the right evidence. Never need to chase for a reply. Everyone is super friendly.

International trade is full of opportunity – but getting the details wrong can be costly

  • Missing or incorrect documents can hold up a shipment.
  • An incorrect customs declaration can lead to additional checks, penalties or unexpected duty.
  • Using the wrong proof of origin can mean missing out on reduced duty rates.
  • Requirements can vary according to the goods, destination and terms of the sale.
  • Relying entirely on a freight forwarder does not remove the trader’s responsibility for providing accurate information.

The cost of getting advice or obtaining the right document is often small compared with the cost of a delayed shipment, storage charges or an unhappy customer.

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Keep your goods moving

  • Understand which documents are required.
  • Reduce the risk of delays and rejected paperwork.
  • Provide accurate information to customs agents and freight forwarders.
  • Give customers and overseas authorities greater confidence.
  • Get expert support when requirements are unclear.

Make international trade work harder for your business

  • Identify relevant Free Trade Agreements.
  • Explore opportunities to reduce import duties.
  • Check whether goods meet preferential origin rules.
  • Strengthen your evidence and compliance processes.
  • Become more competitive in overseas markets.

The team are always very friendly and helpful. They respond quickly to any questions about customs documents and requirements.

Expert help to get your goods where they need to be

Certificates of Origin

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Prove the origin of your goods and meet the requirements of overseas customers, banks and customs authorities.

  • UK and Arab-British Certificates of Origin (CofOs). EUR1s.
  •  Secure online applications.
  • Same-day turnaround available for standard documents.
  • Guidance from an experienced documentation team.
  • Easy online application process.

Find out more about CofOs

Customs and export documents

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Understand which documents are needed for your shipment and make sure the information provided is accurate and consistent.

  • Customs declarations.
  • Goods Movement References.
  • UK EUR1 Movement Certificates.
  • Commercial invoices.
  • Import certificates.
  • Dangerous Goods Notes.
  • Certificates of Value and Origin.

The Business West team can help you identify which documents you need. Different documents perform different roles, and requirements can vary by market.

Find out more about Customs Documents

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) support

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Find out whether an FTA could help reduce duties, strengthen compliance or support expansion into a new market.

  • Identify potentially relevant agreements.
  • Check commodity codes and product-specific rules.
  • Assess whether goods may qualify for preferential origin.
  • Review origin declarations and supporting evidence.
  • Access different levels of support as your requirements develop.

The Business West team can help you identify which documents you need. Different documents perform different roles, and requirements can vary by market.

Support ranges from an introductory resource and health check through to detailed origin analysis, invoice checks, Genesis validation and specialist consultancy.

Find out more about the Free Trade Agreement Utilisation Service

When should you speak to us?

  • You are exporting to a country for the first time.
  • A customer has requested a document you do not recognise.
  • You are unsure whether you need a Certificate of Origin or proof of preferential origin.
  • Your goods have previously been delayed or queried at customs.
  • You are relying on information that has not been reviewed for some time.
  • Customs activity is handled by someone whose main role is finance, dispatch or administration.
  • You want to know whether an FTA could reduce costs for you or your customer.
  • You need to check whether your evidence would support a preferential origin claim.
  • You want greater confidence before your next shipment leaves.

All the team are friendly and extremely helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. Thanks for all your support.

Practical guidance to help keep your goods moving

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When does a Letter of Credit make sense for your export business?

Expanding into a new international market can be exciting, but it often comes with a fair bit of financial uncertainty. If you’re an exporter, getting paid on time (or at all) is non-negotiable. You’ve shipped the goods, followed the contract, and now the final step – payment – needs to happen smoothly. But what if your buyer is unfamiliar, the market is considered risky, or you've been stung before by late or missing payments? This is where a Letter of Credit (LC) can be a useful tool to consider. Letters of Credit have been a trusted document in international trade for decades, and for good reason. They offer exporters a level of protection and certainty, particularly when trust is still being built or cash flow needs to be predictable. Yet many businesses may not be aware of them or don’t realise just how versatile and accessible they can be.

Don't get stuck in customs. Your goods have somewhere to be

Check your requirements before your next shipment

Do not wait until a customs query or missing document delays your shipment. Speak to our team before your goods leave and get the expert support you need to move forward with confidence. Tell us what you are moving, where it is going and what you need help with. Fill in this form, and a member of our team will get in touch.