The Export Academy, from the Department for International Trade (DIT), gives small and micro-businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence.

What is the Export Academy?
The Export Academy is a free programme of support, where you’ll learn directly from experts in international trade who are on hand to provide support across a range of sectors and businesses, from selling children’s clothes to Spain, to providing PR services for clients in the US.

The programme is made up of a series of ten core interactive educational sessions with exclusive content based on feedback from our delegates and designed specifically to help small and micro
businesses understand everything they need to know in order to sell internationally.

The North West Programme
Please see dates below for the North West specific workshop sessions as part of The Export Academy.

• Understanding the benefits of, and barriers to, export – Wednesday 12 May.
  • An overview of the risks and benefits of export; first steps to making informed decisions about internationalisation; laying the foundation for an achievable export plan.
• Steps to export – Friday 14 May.
  • An overview of export documentation, including customs declarations at home and abroad; as well as invoicing and evidence of export; and additional support.
• International market research – Wednesday 19 May.
  • Understanding what constitutes effective market research; which key markets to prioritise; when your business should consider it; and why it’s important to profitability.
• Pricing strategy and route to market – Friday 21 May.
  • Getting to grips with price versus cost; export costing; researching prices in a given market; pricing strategies; and routes to market.
• Customs, export controls, and trade deals – Wednesday 26 May.
  • Understanding key documentation, and legal requirements; understanding prohibitions and restrictions; overview of free trade agreements.
• Customs, export controls, and trade deals – Friday 28 May.
  • Understanding key documentation, and legal requirements; understanding prohibitions and restrictions; overview of free trade
    agreements.
• International commercial (INCO) terms – Wednesday 2 June.
  • Understanding the Incoterm ® 2020 rules; what they do; what isn’t covered; and the impact on the cost of goods.
• Movement of money – Friday 4 June.
  • Getting paid: risks and costs; financial regulation; economic considerations in the movement of money over international borders.
• . Customs, VAT, and rules of origin – Wednesday 9 June.
  • Understanding export paperwork in a little more detail; particularly with regard to VAT and place of service; and key documentation in the shipping process.
• Creating an Export Action Plan – Friday 11 June.
  • Institutional support available in your strategic planning; overseas visits; translation and interpretation; exhibitions and promotions; legal costs; overseas staff.

You can find out more information about how the Department for International Trade can help your business here.

For information on how to register for the Export Academy, please contact Catherynn Dunstan at catherynn@cumbriachamber.co.uk.