Check your export readiness

Complete the Export Health Check

Drive business growth by selling outside Northern Ireland

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

In 2023, Northern Ireland businesses generated an estimated £33.3 billion worth of sales outside of Northern Ireland, a 15.7% increase on 2022.  – NI Economics Trade Statistics, NISRA (2024)

Whether your business is getting ready to sell outside Northern Ireland for the first time or 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?
Q2 - Can your product or service be sold to customers outside Northern Ireland?
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?
Q4 - How many employees (including yourself) are in your business?
Q5 - What is your annual turnover?
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
Q7 - Are you currently selling outside of Northern Ireland?
Indicate which markets you are currently selling to
Q9 - What are your future exporting plans?
Q10 - Have you prepared a structured plan to grow your sales outside Northern Ireland?

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

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?
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?
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

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.

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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.

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.

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