Guidance and support
DBT Export Support: Join thousands of UK food and drink businesses selling to the world
The Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has helped UK businesses to unlock their global potential and sell to the world.
Their experts across the UK and around the world support UK businesses to pursue global opportunities.
Whether you’re new to selling internationally or have been doing it for years, DBT’s free guidance, tools and services can help you expand into new markets.
Some support depends on what’s right for you and your circumstances.
- Get insights on how to sell overseas and compare international markets
- Create your own export action plan online
- Enhance your expertise with training through the UK Export Academy programme
- See how you can grow internationally through digital exporting and e-commerce
- Get tailored expert guidance and answers to specific trade questions
- Contact DBT’s export support team with their question function
UK Export Finance: funding your exports
Export Finance can help your business export through:
- Export insurance policies
- Buyer finance
- Working capital products
FDF members can access more information below:
Defra export support
Defra Agri-food Attachés are in-market staff who's role is to broaden market access, break down barriers and drive export growth. If you think an Attaché can help you, please get in touch with us. FDF members can see the locations of the Attachés below:
How to report trade barriers to government
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a report a trade barrier service which is a useful way to ensure all key parts of the government are aware of barriers affecting your exports.
We recommend that UK manufacturers use this service wherever you encounter barriers to trade that delay, block or add unnecessary costs to exports.
Any issues reported are shared with officials in relevant government departments, including DBT and Defra, and to UK embassies. Where possible, they will seek to resolve these issues and it can also shape UK priorities in trade negotiations.
We produced a short paper for FDF members on the information you need to provide when reporting a trade barrier.
FDF guidance on reporting trade barriers
Trade agreements in force
The UK and Australia signed a preferential trade agreement on 17 December 2021 and this entered into force on Wednesday 31 May 2023.
UK government has published guidance on this agreement and trade with Australia.
We produced a document for FDF members that sets out key provisions in this agreement.
Status: The UK has now joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific partnership (CPTPP) on 15 December 2024.
Nine members of CPTPP have now ratified UK accession (Malaysia, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Australia, Brunei and Vietnam). The UK will not be able to trade under CPTPP to countries who have not yet ratified the UK accession until 60 days after they ratify (Mexico and Canada).
Guidance:
FDF overview of key points in CPTPP
New trade opportunities in Malaysia
FDF guidance on CPTPP rules of origin
Exporting non-alcoholic beverages export guide (Mexico, Chile, Peru)
The UK and New Zealand signed a preferential trade agreement on 28 February 2022 and this entered into force on Wednesday 31 May 2023.
UK government is has published sector-specific guidance on this agreement and trade with New Zealand.
We produced a document for FDF members that sets out key provisions in this agreement.
Overview of UK-New Zealand FTA
Developing Country Trading Scheme (DCTS)
The UK's new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) entered into force at 00.01 on 19 June 2023, replacing the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).
This new scheme unilaterally provides preferential access into the UK market for imports originating from developing countries. With entry into force, the government published a selection of new guidance for businesses.
We produced guidance for FDF members that sets out the key provisions contained in the DCTS, focusing on:
- what this means for tariffs and rules of origin for imports from qualifying countries;
- the process by which products graduate out of the scheme to face the full UK Global Tariff as sectors in recipient countries become globally competitive; and
- revisions to the conditionality required by some countries to benefit from the provisions.
Trade & sustainability
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM): addressing carbon leakage
A UK CBAM will be introduced in January 2027.
The FDF have responded to the latest CBAM consultation that ended on 13 June 2024. This consultation focused on the scope of products, carbon measurement, documentation and administrative burdens, minimum thresholds, and penalties for non-compliance. Members can view a copy of our response below as well as the most recent updates to the policy.
Key documents we have published to help FDF members are:
FDF response to CBAM consultation
UK and EU initiatives to deliver deforestation-free supply chains
In May 2023, the EU passed a regulation to establish deforestation-free supply chains which will apply to a range of commodities when imported into the EU. The EU Commission has passed a 12 month delay to implementation, meaning the EUDR will come into effect from December 2025. Please see the latest guidance below:
The UK is developing its own policy, which aims to deliver the same outcomes but will place different requirements on businesses.
We produced a paper for FDF members that outlines the EU regulation and upcoming UK regulation proposal and summarises key points of difference.
UK and EU initiatives to tackle deforestation
Join Fera on 18 February for an informative webinar exploring the critical role of testing and dataset creation in achieving compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
