Check your export readiness

Complete the Export Health Check

Boost your business by selling outside Northern Ireland

Achieving success in international markets can transform your business. Selling outside Northern Ireland makes businesses more innovative, productive, and resilient.

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

Whether you are preparing to sell outside Northern Ireland for the first time or looking to expand your external sales, we are here to help you on your journey.

Is your business export-ready? Find out with our Export Health Check

Our Export Health Check evaluates how ready your business is for exporting, whether you are new to exporting or looking for new markets. It has 15 questions and takes less than five minutes to complete.

After you submit your Export Health Check answers, you will receive an export report with suggested next steps, practical tips, templates, and links to help you on your export journey.

You can also request a callback from one of our advisors to discuss your results and get personalised guidance.
 

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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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 do we offer?

  • Business Information Centre

    Our Business Information Centre can help you find the best markets for your business, identify competitors, and locate reliable export partners, saving you time and money as you break into new markets.

    Find out more

  • Explore international markets

    Unlock global opportunities with our expert guidance on international export markets. Discover new markets, gain insights, and expand your business beyond borders.

    Find out more
     

  • Exhibitions and trade missions

    Explore our calendar of exhibitions and trade missions to connect with global markets, gain insights, and unlock new business opportunities outside Northern Ireland.

    Find out more
     

  • Export and capability programmes

    We offer a wide range of programmes to help you develop export capabilities, including market exploration, action planning, and international sales strategy development. 
     
    Find out more 

  • Dual market access

    Dual market access allows you to move goods freely with both Great Britain and the European Union, providing your business with unique opportunities for growth and expansion. 
     

    Find out more

Discover more

What export support is available for Northern Ireland businesses?

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

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

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

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.
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