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Export Health Check

Check your export readiness

Complete the Export Health Check

Export Health Check

Drive business growth by selling outside Northern Ireland

Success in international markets can be game-changing for businesses. Businesses who sell outside Northern Ireland are more innovative, productive, and resilient.

In 2021, Northern Ireland businesses generated an estimated £24.9 billion worth of sales outside of Northern Ireland. – NI Economics Trade Statistics, NISRA (2022)

Whether your business is getting ready to sell outside Northern Ireland for the first time or you're looking to expand your external sales, let us help you on your journey.

Go further, and grow your business stronger.

Is your business ready to export? Take our Export Health Check

Our Export Health Check assesses your business's readiness for exporting, ranging from first-time exporters to those seeking new markets. It consists of 15 questions and takes under five minutes to complete. A tailored report is sent to you, detailing your journey, next steps, practical tips, templates, and support available.

Q1 - Is your business based in Northern Ireland?

Yes

Q2 - Can your product or service be sold to customers outside Northern Ireland?

Yes

It is critical to understand any regulatory, compliance, and procedural issues that might affect your product or service in your target market.

A rule or regulation could stop you exporting, therefore it makes sense to find out before you spend any time or money exploring your export options.

Q3 - What stage is your business?

Pre-Start

Start-up
(operating under 1 year)

Start-up
(operating 1 to 5 years)

Established
(operating for 5+ years)

Q4 - How many employees (including yourself) are in your business?

Less than 5

5 - 10

11 to 25

26 - 50

50+

Q5 - What is your annual turnover?

£0 to £50k

£51k to £100k

£101k to £250k

£250k+

Q6 - Does your business have any of the following as its core business activity?

Agricultural production
Fisheries, and aquaculture (production and processing)
Steel
Coal
Shipbuilding
Synthetic fibres
Transport and its infrastructure
Energy (its generation, distribution, and infrastructure)
Tourism accommodation
Wholesale
Retail (including on-line)
Distribution

Yes

Q7 - Are you currently selling outside of Northern Ireland?

No, this will be my first time selling outside Northern Ireland.

Yes, I am currently selling outside Northern Ireland, but I am considering further growth opportunities.

Indicate which markets you are currently selling to

To neighbouring markets in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland

To European markets

To international markets beyond Europe

Q8 - List which countries or regions you are currently selling to

Move on to question 9 »

Q9 - What are your future exporting plans?

Increasing sales in existing markets

Exploring new markets

Please tell us which markets you intend to explore

Move on to question 10 »

Q10 - Have you prepared a structured plan to grow your sales outside Northern Ireland?

Yes

You can download an export marketing plan template from Develop an export marketing plan.

Q11 - Market research is vital to growing sales outside Northern Ireland.
Have you considered any of the following?
Tick all that apply:

Target market selection?

Identifying potential customers?

Identifying your competitors?

Pricing for your chosen market?

Identifying the most appropriate sales channels?

Shipping/logistics & related costs?

Legal/regulatory considerations?

No, I have not carried out any market research

Move on to question 12 »

Q12 - Do you have the skills in your business to target new sales outside Northern Ireland?

Yes

Consider the following:

Are your staff trained to understand transport logistics and the legal issues involved?
Can your staff do business in another language?
Do your staff understand how to handle pricing and payments in another currency?

Q13 - Do you have the necessary resources such as people, production capacity, finances and time to commit to growing sales outside Northern Ireland and to respond to additional demand for your product/service?

Yes

Consider if your business could cope with receiving a large export order while also ensuring you don't neglect current customers.

Q14 - Do you have the necessary funds to undertake export activity?

Yes

Exporting can be costly. You might have to increase production to meet demand, transport costs will increase and lead times for payment can be longer.

It’s important to know what you can afford and what extra funds you might need. You need to understand how much it will cost you to export.

Q15 - What areas of support would most help your business advance your export plans

Market identification and prioritisation

Available export support

Help with market research

How to become an Invest NI client

Other

Enter other…

Please list the top 3 markets you are interested in selling to:

Complete your check »

Export Health Check

Support is available for your business to start selling outside Northern Ireland.

Complete this form and we will email you a link to download the guide on how to start selling outside Northern Ireland.

Export Health Check

Support is available for your business to find new export markets.

Complete this form and we will email you a link to download the guide on how to find new export markets.

Mandatory field

First name

Last name

Email confirmation

Telephone

Company name

Job title

Sector

Enter other…

Are you currently an Invest NI client company?

Yes

For information on how we use your personal data including your rights, see our privacy notice.

Sorry, from your answers your business does not meet the Export Health Check eligibility criteria.

Our export guides are tailored for businesses based in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade offers a wide range of free export support. To find out more, visit great.gov.uk

InterTradeIreland provides support, funding, and advice to businesses throughout the island of Ireland.

The nibusinessinfo.co.uk help and support for exporting section has a range of support available to new and established businesses to help them start trading successfully outside Northern Ireland.

Sorry, from your answers your business does not meet the Export Health Check eligibility criteria.

Your product or service must be internationally tradeable to be considered as potentially exportable.

The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade offers a wide range of free export support. Find out more at great.gov.uk

InterTradeIreland provides support, funding, and advice to businesses throughout the island of Ireland.

The nibusinessinfo.co.uk help and support for exporting section has a range of support available to new and established businesses to help them start trading successfully outside Northern Ireland.

Leave this field blank

What export support is available for Northern Ireland businesses?

There is lots of support available to help you secure sales outside Northern Ireland.

We offer insights and support to businesses looking to explore international markets and attend trade shows and exhibitions.

Our Business Information Centre offers free market research, support, and worldwide company directories for business use.

nibusinessinfo.co.uk provides information on exporting, finance, marketing, and export events.

InterTradeIreland helps businesses across the island by offering practical cross-border funding, intelligence, and contacts, all of which can be found on their Trade Hub.

The Department for Business and Trade offers free Market Guides and its UK Export Academy programme for businesses looking to export.

Discover more

Contact us

If you are interested in more information, contact our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or complete the enquiry form.

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