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Selling abroad: the free help, finance and grants for exporting

The free advisers, UK Export Finance guarantees and creative-sector export grants open to North West firms at 28 October 2026, what has closed, and the paperwork done right.

FoundersSMEsFreelancers15 min readChecked 28 October 2026
On this page
  1. The reality: fewer advisers, more guarantees
  2. The free help from DBT
  3. UK Export Finance: the bank says yes because UKEF says yes
  4. Sector export grants for creative and digital firms
  5. North West help
  6. Getting it right
    1. Choose a market with evidence, not affection
    2. EORI numbers and commodity codes
    3. Rules of origin
    4. Incoterms: who pays, who risks, who clears
    5. Getting paid
    6. The one-page export plan
  7. Pitfalls
  8. Checklist
  9. Questions
    1. Are there government grants for exporting in 2026?
    2. What does UK Export Finance do for a small business?
    3. Can a games studio get export funding?
    4. Do I need an EORI number to sell services abroad?
    5. What is a letter of credit and should I ask for one?
  10. Sources

Export help is split between a trade department, an export credit agency, three sector funds, the combined authorities and the chambers, and much older advice points to schemes that have closed. This is the map at 28 October 2026, and the paperwork that gets your first order out and paid.

  • Most help is free. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Business Academy is "completely free to join"; the Export Support Service is a web form; UK Export Finance (UKEF) managers give a free consultation.2133
  • The trade-show grants have gone (2021 and 2023), the ERDF Internationalisation Fund ended in 2023, and Export Champions are paused (14 July 2026).89710
  • Finance comes through your bank. UKEF guarantees up to 80% of a trade loan or bond and insures up to 95% of a contract; its General Export Facility needs export sales already on the books.252629
  • The creative grants are real money: the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) up to £50,000 at 50%; the International Showcase Fund up to £8,250 at 90%; the UK Global Screen Fund up to £50,000 for a game release and £300,000 for a co-production.47505658
  • Nearest doors: DBT North, Greater Manchester's International Scale Up (£2,500 grant, deadline 22 November 2026), Liverpool City Region's export broker, and a chamber for certificates, from £30.15631368

The reality: fewer advisers, more guarantees

  • 937 businesses UKEF supported at home in 2025/26, 66% of them SMEs, 85% of those outside London34
  • £23bn added to the UK economy in five years by UKEF-backed exports (Oxford Economics, February 2026)35
  • £18m+ a year for the UK Global Screen Fund, 2026 to 2029, up from £7m54
  • 45 to 55% of International Showcase Fund applicants are funded50

DBT's one-to-one help is shrinking: the national service is "digital first", with "a smaller 1-1 advisory service targeted at active growth or export opportunities", and Export Champions are paused "whilst we review".1110 UKEF is growing: its target is to "Support 1,000 SMEs per year by 2029", and a joint British Business Bank scheme for smaller working-capital loans is due "spring next year" (announced 12 July 2026).3436 North West goods exports fell in the year to December 2025 while most English regions grew.37

Closed, whatever older advice says: the Tradeshow Access Programme (grants "between £500 and £2,500"), withdrawn 20 July 2021; the UK Tradeshow Programme (£2,000 or £4,000 to exhibit), withdrawn 7 June 2023; the ERDF Internationalisation Fund (up to £9,000 matched), 2020 to 2023, no successor.8967 great.gov.uk is now business.gov.uk.2

The free help from DBT

Service What you get
Export Support Service A web form for export questions the website cannot answer1
Business Academy Free one-hour online sessions in a "Selling overseas" strand, run by "seasoned former exporters"; freight forwarding on 2 November 2026, "EU customs changes 2026" on 2 December2345
International trade advisers DBT North: DBTNorth@businessandtrade.gov.uk, +44 (0)20 4566 5206. Come with a market and a product15
Export Support Directory "over 400 providers covering 190 countries", vetted but fee-paying18
Trade missions £495 plus VAT for the March 2026 GDC games mission (a guide to the next); £6,000 plus VAT for a pod at NRF 2027 (minimum £2m revenue); travel always yours2021

Three contacts this week

Email DBT North one paragraph: product, target market, evidence of demand. Book a free consultation with your regional Export Finance Manager, from UKEF's list.33 Join Business Academy and book a "Selling overseas" session. Where buyers gather: Relationships first.

UK Export Finance: the bank says yes because UKEF says yes

You rarely apply to UKEF. Your bank applies, UKEF carries most of the risk, and the bank lends what it otherwise would not.2527282926

Product What it does Who qualifies Size
General Export Facility (GEF) "up to 80% of the lender's risk" on trade loans, bonds and letter-of-credit lines; 16 lenders Export sales "at least 20%" of turnover in one of the last three years, or "at least 5%" in each "up to around £25 million"; banks can approve "up to £10 million per UK exporter" themselves
Export Working Capital Scheme "up to 80% of the risk to lenders" on one contract A contract signed, or "intending to enter" one, with a buyer outside the UK "no minimum or maximum"
Bond Support Scheme "up to 80% of the value of the bond", freeing cash the bank would hold Business carried on in the UK "no maximum value for each bond"
Export Insurance Policy "up to 95% of potential losses" from buyer insolvency, termination or political events Only if "unable to get export insurance from the private sector"; 20% UK content; no short-term cover in the EU, USA, Japan and similar Small Export Builder £25,000 rising to £100,000; "free to apply"
Standard Buyer Loan Guarantee A loan to your buyer, up to 85% guaranteed "At least 20% of the contract value must be UK content" "typically £1 million to £30 million"

Three Cheshire and Stockport deals, February to May 2026

Packaging One, Middlewich (19 May 2026): a GEF guarantee let NatWest lend £700,000 so the firm could pay suppliers before "one of the world's largest technology companies" paid on a £4 million contract.38 Promatic, Hooton (12 February 2026): a £1 million HSBC UK facility under GEF, selling to 41 countries.39 Vespertec, Stockport (5 March 2026): a £1.8 million contract in Kenya, won when a Standard Buyer Loan Guarantee let Apple Bank lend to the buyer; following a first Kenyan order.40 Why they worked: export sales already on the books, UK content above 20%, and a bank in the scheme. UKEF publishes no other criteria.

Sector export grants for creative and digital firms

Match-funded, paid only for activity abroad, judged on evidence of demand in the target market.

Fund Grant Status at 28 October 2026
MEGS (BPI for DBT and DCMS): UK music SMEs promoting their artists abroad £5,000 to £50,000; "no more than 50 per cent of eligible expenditure"; "No UK activity can be funded" Round 26 closed 7 September 2026; two rounds a year, £1.6m a year for three years from 2026; watch the BPI4147434248
International Showcase Fund (PRS Foundation with DBT and partners): UK artists "formally invited" to an industry showcase Up to £6,750 for Europe, £8,250 long-haul; up to 90% of costs Rolling, "at least 8 weeks" before the event; SXSW 2027 rounds close 27 November 2026 and 6 January 2027495051
UK Global Screen Fund (BFI for DCMS): independent film, TV and games companies "registered and centrally managed in the UK" Strands below Co-production open to 24 November 2026; P&A and Festival Launch rolling; game release next round "autumn 2026"; business development "April 2027"55565758

The Global Screen Fund, now "over £18m per year for 2026 to 2029", covers games and sales agents:54

Strand Money The rules that bite Decision
Video Game Release "between £5,000 and £50,000", "must not exceed 25% of your total release costs" Lead UK studio; narrative, PC or console; budget "£10,000,000 or less"; no free-to-play, mobile-only or early access "within eight weeks"56
International Business Development Challenger "£50,000, plus an optional, additional £5,000" for mentoring; General and Transformation "between £50,000 and £200,000" Micro or small company, two years' accounts; request "cannot be more than 25%" of turnover Challenger 23 weeks; others 4, then 1057
Minority co-production Up to £300,000, "a maximum of 50% of the overall UK financial contribution" "at least 60% of the overall finance secured"; film any genre, TV animation and documentary only By 23 February 202758
Festival Launch; P&A To the UK sales agent, or the producer if none Festival: "at least four weeks" before (Sundance 21 December 2026, Berlin 13 January 2027); P&A: "at least 20 working days" before release Rolling6059

Ceilings per application, from the funders' pages:585747564863

Grant ceilings per application, October 2026
UK Global Screen Fund, minority co-production£300,000up to 50% of the UK share
UK Global Screen Fund, business development£200,00025% of turnover
Music Export Growth Scheme£50,00050% match, nothing in the UK
UK Global Screen Fund, video game release£50,00025% of release costs
Music Creators Growth Fund£20,00025% cash match
Greater Manchester International Scale Up£2,500after two workshops

What MEGS scores (GOV.UK Find a grant listing)

"Funding will be tied to the ambition of the project, measured by financial commitment, sales targets and business outputs." Only "external costs to the label or management, not normal running costs" count. Outputs are "leads generated and pursued, deals done, media coverage".41 So: one named market, a dated campaign, a sales target, the contacts you will meet.

What the Global Screen Fund weights (BFI guidelines, 2026)

Video Game Release: international growth, finance and funding outcomes 20% each; team and additionality 15% each; UK-wide benefit 10%. Business Development is the same except strategy 25% and additionality 10%, and the BFI Diversity Standards and sustainability must be "fully addressed".5657 Additionality is what the grant makes happen that would not otherwise; UK-wide benefit is where North West staff and spend score. Say so in numbers.

What the International Showcase Fund asks for

"Have a list of meetings with music industry professionals"; "Have a strong business case for attending this specific event". For SXSW, an expert panel selects, and "new applicants and non-funded artists will be prioritised". US work visas: "at least three months ahead".50

More for music. The Music Growth Package's Music Creators Growth Fund gives £10,000 to £20,000 for "Early-stage international market development activity" at a 25% cash match (round 1 closes 29 October 2026; round 2 runs 6 January to 3 February 2027).48

Games and the rest. Beyond Video Game Release we found no games export grant; DBT and Ukie run missions to GDC and gamescom, whose UK stand "usually sells out by early July".2022 Innovate UK's Global Business Innovation Programme paid SXSW 2027 travel for one person per creative firm; it closed on 22 October 2026, and its Next Wave pilot has further rounds in 2027.2324 EU money: Horizon Europe.

North West winners: Blossoms, The Lathums, The Lottery Winners, Huey Games, Empress Films

MEGS's March 2025 round (£1.6m, 58 acts) named Blossoms of Manchester; round 25 (£800,000, 29 acts, reported 2 September 2026) included The Lathums and The Lottery Winners, both from Wigan Borough.464445 From the Global Screen Fund: Huey Games, "based in the North West", won a business-development award in May 2023 for a key hire to grow a slate "with an internationally appealing art style"; Empress Films, "based in London and Manchester", won in January 2025 for a US-based head of development.6162 Why they won: neither fund publishes scores; each screen award was a hire tied to an international sales plan, which "International growth strategy" (25%) and "Funding outcomes" (20%) score.57

North West help

Area What exists Status
Greater Manchester International Scale Up: "up to a £2,500 grant" after two mandatory two-day workshops, an adviser, an action plan; "Must be based in Greater Manchester", three years' trading, at least 5 staff; "All sectors welcome" Cohort 4 deadline 22 November 2026; workshops 19 to 28 January 202763
Liverpool City Region Export Support Programme (Growth Platform with the chambers): free events and a diagnostic "which will result in an export action plan"; Liverpool Chamber's Export Broker will "assess eligibility for export grants while funding is still available" Ongoing; export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk111213
Lancashire The chambers' international trade service, "a commercial service"; County Council Global Business Support; Boost helpdesk 0800 488 0057 Ongoing6465
Cheshire and Warrington; Cumbria Growth Hubs: "fully funded support" for an export strategy (Cheshire and Warrington); links to DBT and UKEF (Cumbria, 01228 534120) Ongoing6667

Chambers: documents and carnets

Chambers issue certificates of origin, EUR1s and ATA carnets, which "act as passports for goods" you take to a show and bring home.70 A certificate of origin costs from £30 plus VAT (Cumbria members, April 2026) to £66.15 plus VAT (West Cheshire and North Wales non-members); Liverpool members get "a discount of up to 50%".686914

Music: the Northern Music Export Office

Launched 2 June 2026 by four northern mayors, including Liverpool City Region's. At 28 October 2026 its grants (up to £10,000) are "exclusively available to artists" from Tees Valley, the North East and West Yorkshire: LCR is a founding partner, not an eligible area.5253

Getting it right

GOV.UK's order for goods:71

Exporting goods, step by step (GOV.UK)
  1. Check the rulesduties, restrictions and licences
  2. Get readya GB EORI number; VAT if needed
  3. Check the buyer can importlicences and certificates
  4. Decide who declares and shipsyou, or "hire someone to deal with customs"
  5. Classify"the right commodity code"
  6. Invoice and documentsthey "must travel with the goods"
  7. Clear customsthe export declaration
  8. Keep records"commercial invoices and any customs paperwork"

Choose a market with evidence, not affection

Use DBT's market guides on "doing business, tax rates and import regulations", Where to Export and the duty checker.161719 Then the test that matters: three named buyers, one channel to reach them, and a price that survives duty, freight and insurance (Know your market). Services count too; place-of-supply rules decide where VAT is due.17

EORI numbers and commodity codes

You need "an EORI number that starts with GB" to export goods from England, Wales or Scotland.71 Online, "You'll get your GB EORI number immediately unless HMRC needs to make any checks"; goods moving to Northern Ireland need an XI number too.73

For commodity codes, "only the first 6 digits are used worldwide".74 The Trade Tariff tool gives the code, any licence and whether a trade agreement cuts the duty. A wrong code makes the duty, licence and origin rule wrong too.

Rules of origin

Lower duty under a trade agreement needs proof the goods "originate" in the UK. For the EU, "A statement on origin is prescribed text which the exporter adds to the invoice or any other document"; it can cover identical goods for up to 12 months and carries your EORI number.76 For other agreements, a EUR1 comes from a local chamber of commerce or the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, which may charge; where an agreement requires "approved exporter" status, you may need it to use an origin declaration on consignments over £5,400 (HMRC, updated 6 November 2024).75 Keep supplier declarations for bought-in parts.

Incoterms: who pays, who risks, who clears

The International Chamber of Commerce's eleven three-letter rules split costs, risk and customs formalities between you and the buyer.7778

Rules for any transport Rules for sea and inland waterway
EXW Ex Works; FCA Free Carrier; CPT Carriage Paid To; CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To; DAP Delivered at Place; DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded; DDP Delivered Duty Paid FAS Free Alongside Ship; FOB Free on Board; CFR Cost and Freight; CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight

Write the rule, the named place and "Incoterms 2020" on the quote and invoice. Two 2020 changes catch people: "The CIP Incoterms® rule now requires a higher level of cover", and DAT became DPU.78

Getting paid

Weakest protection first, from DBT's and UKEF's guidance:79803029

Ways to get paid, weakest protection first
  1. 4Payment in advance"getting buyers to pay in advance if they're new to you"
  2. 3Letter of credit"a commitment by the buyer's bank to pay the exporter" against documents that match exactly
  3. 2Credit insuranceprivate cover "around 1 - 2%" of the limit, paying "75 - 95%"; UKEF where the market will not
  4. 1Open accountgoods shipped before payment is due; "is not allowed in India"

A letter of credit pays only on documents that match its terms, so a misspelt consignee can hold up the money. UKEF's 2018 Letter of Credit Guarantee is not on its 2026 product list; ask your Export Finance Manager what your bank can confirm.3231 "Factor insurance costs into your pricing."80

The one-page export plan

What DBT advisers, UKEF managers and the sector funds all ask for:

EXPORT PLAN: [Company], [town]                   Date: [ ]   Owner: [name]
1. Product or service: [one line]; UK content [%]; commodity code [ ]
2. Market: [country]; why: [3 sourced facts: demand, competitors, duty rate]
3. First three buyers or channels: [named]; status: [cold / met / quoted / ordered]
4. Route and rules: [direct / distributor / agent]; licence [y/n]; origin proof [ ]
5. Price: ex-works + freight + insurance + duty = landed [£]; Incoterm [ ]
6. Getting paid: [advance / letter of credit / insured credit]; terms [days]
7. Cash: order-to-cash gap [weeks] = [£]; covered by [bank facility / GEF / own]
8. Year-one target: [£ sales], [orders], [leads]; help booked: [DBT, UKEF, chamber, grant]

Money arrives after the event

MEGS pays "no more than 50 per cent", and only for activity outside the UK; the Music Creators Growth Fund will not cover "costs incurred before a decision is made"; Video Game Release pays no more than 50% of the grant on signature.414856 The Northern Music Export Office pays 90% upfront, in its eligible areas.53 Fund the gap with the cash-flow tool in Innovate UK money and the lenders in Loans, social investment and tax reliefs.

Pitfalls

Checklist

Questions

Are there government grants for exporting in 2026?

Few general ones: the trade-show grants and the Internationalisation Fund closed between 2021 and 2023.897 What is left is sector or place based: MEGS and the International Showcase Fund for music, the UK Global Screen Fund for film, TV and games, Greater Manchester's £2,500 Scale Up grant, and Liverpool Chamber's broker programme "while funding is still available".4149556313

What does UK Export Finance do for a small business?

It guarantees up to 80% of your bank's export lending, insures up to 95% of a contract where private insurers will not, and guarantees a loan to your buyer. It supported 937 businesses in 2025/26, two thirds of them SMEs.25292634

Can a games studio get export funding?

Yes. The BFI's Video Game Release strand pays £5,000 to £50,000, up to 25% of release costs, for a narrative PC or console game (next round "autumn 2026"); International Business Development reopens in April 2027; DBT and Ukie run missions to GDC and gamescom.56572022

Do I need an EORI number to sell services abroad?

No, an EORI is for moving goods. Service exporters check the place-of-supply VAT rules and the market guides, and "may be able to charge zero rate".7217

What is a letter of credit and should I ask for one?

"A commitment by the buyer's bank to pay the exporter" once you present documents that match its terms. DBT suggests it for "larger payments or where the buyer and seller need more security"; for a new buyer, advance payment is simpler.3079

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Get help with your export query (ask the export support team), read 28 October 2026. https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team ↩↩

  2. Business.gov.uk, Business Academy ("completely free to join"; "Over 30,000 businesses"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/business-academy/ ↩↩↩

  3. Business.gov.uk, Business Academy events listing (Selling overseas strand; "How to work with a freight forwarder", 2 November 2026), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/export-academy/events/ ↩

  4. Business.gov.uk, Start your Journey with the UK Export Academy, 28 October 2025 event page ("UK Export Academy (UKEA) Advisers, who are also seasoned former exporters"). https://www.business.gov.uk/business-academy/events/start-your-journey-with-the-uk-export-academy-28-october-2025/ ↩

  5. Business.gov.uk, the Business Academy's EU webinar series (repeated quarterly; "EU customs changes 2026: What UK exporters need to know", 2 December), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/export-academy/unlock-europe/ ↩

  6. Department for International Trade, Made in the UK, Sold to the World, 17 November 2021 (Internationalisation Fund "matched grant funding of up to £9,000"). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-strategy-made-in-the-uk-sold-to-the-world/made-in-the-uk-sold-to-the-world-web-version ↩

  7. GOV.UK, HMG launches Export Growth Plan to help businesses, 16 October 2020 ("New £38m Internationalisation Fund from 2020-23 for SMEs in England"; ERDF). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmg-launches-export-growth-plan-to-help-businesses ↩↩↩

  8. GOV.UK, Tradeshow Access Programme ("This guidance was withdrawn on 20 July 2021"; grants "between £500 and £2,500"). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tradeshow-access-programme ↩↩↩

  9. GOV.UK, UK Tradeshow Programme ("This guidance was withdrawn on 7 June 2023"; grants of £2,000 or £4,000). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-tradeshow-programme ↩↩↩

  10. Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Businesses and Economic Transformation, letter to the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, 14 July 2026, published 15 July 2026 (Export Champions paused "whilst we review"; DBT "is transforming the way that we deliver our export services"). https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/54318/ ↩↩

  11. Growth Platform, Exporting for business (Liverpool City Region Export Support Programme; "digital first"; free events), read 28 October 2026. https://growthplatform.org/exporting-for-business/ ↩↩

  12. Growth Platform, Liverpool City Region Export Support (UK Shared Prosperity Fund; diagnostic and export action plan), read 28 October 2026. https://growthplatform.org/?p=11815 ↩

  13. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Business support (LCR Export Broker Support Programme), read 28 October 2026. https://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/business-support/ ↩↩↩

  14. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Export documentation (certificates of origin, EUR1, ATA carnets; members' discount "of up to 50%"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/about/what-we-do/international-trade/export-documentation/ ↩

  15. Business.gov.uk, Meet the experts in Greater Manchester (DBT North Export Development Team contacts), updated 3 November 2025, read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/local-export-support/manchester-trade-support/meet-the-experts-greater-manchester/ ↩↩

  16. Business.gov.uk, Market guides, read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/markets/ ↩

  17. Business.gov.uk, Exporting services (place of supply; zero rate; Where to Export), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/support/customs-taxes-and-declarations/exporting-services/ ↩↩↩

  18. Business.gov.uk, Making overseas connections (Export Support Directory: "over 400 providers covering 190 countries"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/support-topics/market-selection/making-overseas-connections/ ↩

  19. GOV.UK, Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods, read 28 October 2026. https://www.gov.uk/check-duties-customs-exporting ↩

  20. Department for Business and Trade, Trade mission to GDC 2026, San Francisco, 8 to 12 March 2026, with Ukie and Game Republic (£495 plus VAT; expressions of interest closed 12 December 2025). https://www.events.great.gov.uk/website/18231/home/ ↩↩↩

  21. Department for Business and Trade, Digital, Immersive and Retail tech mission to NRF 2027, New York, 9 to 12 January 2027 ("£6,000 + VAT"; "Minimum £2m revenue"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.events.great.gov.uk/website/19842/home/ ↩

  22. Ukie, Join Ukie at gamescom 2026 (26 to 28 August 2026; "Space for 100 UK exhibitors"; "usually sells out by early July"), read 28 October 2026. https://ukie.org.uk/news/join-ukie-at-gamescom-2026 ↩↩

  23. Innovate UK Business Connect, Next Wave: Global Business Innovation Programme, Creative Industries, SXSW Texas 2027 (closed 22 October 2026; market visit 14 to 20 March 2027), read 28 October 2026. https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/next-wave-gbip-createch-sxsw-texas/ ↩

  24. GOV.UK, New Creative Trade Forum to boost UK creative industries announced at Edinburgh International Festival, 26 August 2026 (Next Wave £10 million pilot, "around 700" applicants, further rounds in 2027). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-creative-trade-forum-to-boost-uk-creative-industries-announced-at-edinburgh-international-festival ↩

  25. UK Export Finance, General Export Facility, updated 23 June 2026 (turnover tests; "up to around £25 million"; "up to £10 million per UK exporter"; sixteen lenders). The December 2025 product brochure gives £5 million for the banks' own approval; this later guidance page is used. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-export-facility ↩↩↩↩

  26. UK Export Finance, Leading with finance: all products, updated 10 December 2025 (GEF "up to 80% of the lender's risk"; Standard Buyer Loan Guarantee "up to 85%", "typically" £1 million to £30 million, 20% UK content). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-export-finance-leading-with-finance-product-brochure/uk-export-finance-leading-with-finance-all-products ↩↩↩

  27. UK Export Finance, Export Working Capital Scheme, updated 11 November 2025. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-working-capital-scheme-overview-and-how-to-apply ↩

  28. UK Export Finance, Bond Support Scheme, updated 11 November 2025. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bond-support-scheme-overview-and-how-to-apply ↩

  29. UK Export Finance, Export Insurance Policy, updated 27 January 2026 ("up to 95% of potential losses"; private-market test; excluded countries; Small Export Builder; "It's free to apply"; "about 1 to 2 weeks"). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-insurance-policy ↩↩↩↩

  30. UK Export Finance, Export Insurance Policy product page ("a Letter of Credit is a commitment by the buyer's bank to pay the exporter"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/export-insurance-policy/ ↩↩

  31. UK Export Finance, Products and services (current list; no letter-of-credit guarantee), read 28 October 2026. https://www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/ ↩

  32. UK Export Finance, Making exports happen, 31 August 2018 (Letter of Credit Guarantee scheme). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-export-finance-making-exports-happen/making-exports-happen-connecting-the-uk-to-international-markets ↩

  33. UK Export Finance, Find an export finance manager, updated 6 October 2026 ("regional representatives of UKEF"; "book a free consultation"; regional list). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager ↩↩

  34. UK Export Finance, Impact Report 2025/26, published 9 July 2026 (937 businesses; 66% SMEs; 85% of SMEs outside London; "Support 1,000 SMEs per year by 2029"). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-export-finance-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026 ↩↩↩

  35. GOV.UK, UK exporters boost economy as new study reveals major impact of export credit on UK industry, 5 February 2026 (Oxford Economics: "£23 billion"; 66,000 jobs a year). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-exporters-boost-economy-as-new-study-reveals-major-impact-of-export-credit-on-uk-industry ↩

  36. GOV.UK, UK Export Finance and British Business Bank to launch joint scheme to support thousands of smaller exporters, 12 July 2026 (launch "spring next year"). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-export-finance-and-british-business-bank-to-launch-joint-scheme-to-support-thousands-of-smaller-exporters ↩

  37. HM Revenue and Customs, UK regional trade in goods statistics, fourth quarter 2025, commentary, 19 March 2026 ("export values for the North West, West Midlands, and London decreased, while all other English regions experienced increases"). https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-regional-trade-in-goods-statistics-fourth-quarter-october-to-december-2025/uk-regional-trade-in-goods-statistics-fourth-quarter-october-to-december-2025-commentary ↩

  38. GOV.UK, Packed with potential: Cheshire packaging firm seals £4 million deal backed by UKEF, 19 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/packed-with-potential-cheshire-packaging-firm-seals-4-million-deal-backed-by-ukef ↩

  39. GOV.UK, Cheshire clay pigeon shooting specialist targets exports, 12 February 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cheshire-clay-pigeon-shooting-specialist-targets-exports ↩

  40. GOV.UK, Stockport tech firm powers Kenya's cloud future with government-backed £1.8m deal, 5 March 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stockport-tech-firm-powers-kenyas-cloud-future-with-government-backed-18m-deal ↩

  41. GOV.UK Find a grant, Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) (eligibility; "no more than 50 per cent"; "No UK activity can be funded"; outputs), read 28 October 2026. https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/music-export-growth-scheme-megs-1 ↩↩↩↩↩

  42. BPI, Applications now open for Music Export Growth Scheme funding (round 25), 21 May 2026 ("three-year funding commitment"; "two funding rounds to be run each year"). https://www.bpi.co.uk/news/13246670 ↩

  43. BPI, Applications now open for Music Export Growth Scheme funding (round 26, closing 7 September 2026), 13 August 2026. https://www.bpi.co.uk/news/13379472 ↩

  44. Music Week, Music Export Growth Scheme supports 29 UK acts in 25th funding round, 2 September 2026 (£800,000; acts named, no locations given; trade press, not a BPI or government release). https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/music-export-growth-scheme-supports-29-uk-acts-in-25th-funding-round/094870 ↩

  45. Wigan Council, Iconic bands and charity fund-raiser to receive Believe Stars, 5 March 2026 (The Lathums and Lottery Winners "at the forefront of the borough's musical scene"). https://www.wigan.gov.uk/News/Articles/2026/March/Iconic-bands-and-charity-fund-raiser-to-receive-Believe-Stars.aspx ↩

  46. GOV.UK, Scheme supporting UK artists begins new funding round, 8 March 2025 (£1.6 million, 58 artists; Blossoms, Manchester). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scheme-supporting-uk-artists-begins-new-funding-round ↩

  47. GOV.UK, Top UK music acts awarded £1.4 million funding to raise profile, 2 March 2026 (grants of £5,000 to £50,000; 68 acts). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/topuk-music-acts-awarded14millionfunding-toraise-profile ↩↩↩

  48. BPI, Apply for the Music Growth Package, 2 September 2026 ("£1.6m per annum for three years" for MEGS, "starting in 2026"; Music Growth Fund and Music Creators Growth Fund amounts, match rates and deadlines). https://www.bpi.co.uk/news/13342108 ↩↩↩↩

  49. PRS Foundation, International Showcase Fund ("grants of up to £8,250"; partners; SXSW 2027 partnership with the Northern Music Export Office), read 28 October 2026. https://prsfoundation.com/funding-support/funding-music-creators/international-showcase-fund/ ↩↩

  50. PRS Foundation, International Showcase Fund guidance and FAQs (amounts by region; up to 90%; criteria; success rates given as both "45-50%" and "45-55%"; eight weeks; visas), read 28 October 2026. https://prsfoundation.com/international-showcase-fund-guidance-and-faqs/ ↩↩↩↩↩

  51. PRS Foundation, Deadlines (SXSW 2027: 27 November 2026 and 6 January 2027, 6pm), read 28 October 2026. https://prsfoundation.com/funding-support/deadlines/ ↩

  52. West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Northern Mayors unite to launch UK's first pan-regional Music Export Office, 2 June 2026. https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/news/northern-mayors-unite-to-launch-uk-s-first-pan-regional-music-export-office/ ↩

  53. Generator, Northern Music Export Office (eligible areas; programme caps; 90% paid upfront), read 28 October 2026. https://generator.org.uk/northernmusicexportoffice ↩↩

  54. BFI, Strategic plans for expanded UK Global Screen Fund, 25 March 2026 ("from £7m to over £18m per year for 2026 to 2029"). https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/strategic-plans-expanded-uk-global-screen-fund ↩↩

  55. BFI, UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) (strand status; "registered and centrally managed in the UK"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund-ukgsf ↩↩

  56. BFI, UKGSF International Distribution Video Game Release funding (closed; next round "autumn 2026"), and its application guidelines (amounts; 25% cap; eligibility; weightings; eight weeks; 50% on signature), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund/uk-global-screen-fund-ukgsf-international-distribution-video-game-release-funding/applying-uk-global-screen-fund-ukgsf-international-distribution-video-game-release-vgr ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  57. BFI, UKGSF International Business Development (next round April 2027), and its application guidelines (tracks, amounts, eligibility, weightings, decision times), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund/uk-global-screen-fund-international-business-development/applying-uk-global-screen-fund-international-business-development ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  58. BFI, UKGSF International Co-production (closes midday 24 November 2026; up to £300,000; 50% of the UK contribution; 60% of finance secured; decisions by 23 February 2027), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund/uk-global-screen-fund-ukgsf-international-co-production ↩↩↩↩

  59. BFI, UKGSF International Distribution Prints and Advertising support (rolling; "at least 20 working days"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund/uk-global-screen-fund-international-distribution-prints-advertising-pa-support ↩

  60. BFI, UKGSF International Distribution Festival Launch funding (four weeks; festival deadlines), read 28 October 2026. https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund/uk-global-screen-fund-international-distribution-festival-launch-funding ↩

  61. BFI, Latest UK Global Screen Fund awards: BFI and DCMS invest in a further 24 companies, 15 May 2023 (Huey Games, "based in the North West"). https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/latest-uk-global-screen-fund-awards-bfi-dcms-invest-further-24-companies ↩

  62. BFI, UK Global Screen Fund awards, 21 January 2025 (Empress Films, "based in London and Manchester"). https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/uk-global-screen-fund-awards-january-2025 ↩

  63. GM Business Growth Hub, International Scale Up Programme (cohort 4 deadline 22 November 2026; workshops 19 to 28 January 2027; "up to a £2,500 grant"; eligibility), read 28 October 2026. https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/programmes/international-scale-up-programme ↩↩↩↩

  64. Boost Business Lancashire, International Trade Support (East Lancashire and North and Western Lancashire Chambers: "a commercial service"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/support-directory/international-trade-support-chambers ↩

  65. Boost Business Lancashire, Global Business Support (Lancashire County Council), read 28 October 2026. https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/support-directory/Global-Business-Support ↩

  66. Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, Exporting, read 28 October 2026. https://cheshireandwarrington.com/growth-and-skills/growth-hub/exporting/ ↩

  67. Cumbria Business Growth Hub, International trade, read 28 October 2026. https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/know-your-business/international-trade ↩

  68. Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Export Documentation Service (price list April 2026), read 28 October 2026. https://cumbriachamber.co.uk/export-documentation-service/ ↩↩

  69. West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Export documentation pricing (ex VAT), read 28 October 2026. https://wcnwchamber.org.uk/export-documentation-pricing/ ↩

  70. British Chambers of Commerce, Trade support: export documentation (ATA carnets "act as passports for goods"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/join-the-chamber-network/international-trade/trade-support-export-documentation/ ↩

  71. GOV.UK, Export goods from the UK: step by step, read 28 October 2026. https://www.gov.uk/export-goods ↩↩

  72. GOV.UK, Get an EORI number (who needs one), read 28 October 2026. https://www.gov.uk/eori ↩

  73. GOV.UK, Apply for an EORI number ("immediately unless HMRC needs to make any checks"; XI within 5 days), read 28 October 2026. https://www.gov.uk/eori/apply-for-eori ↩

  74. HM Revenue and Customs, Finding commodity codes for imports into or exports out of the UK, updated 22 August 2022. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/finding-commodity-codes-for-imports-or-exports ↩

  75. HM Revenue and Customs, Get proof of origin for your goods, updated 6 November 2024 (approved exporter; £5,400; where to get a EUR1). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-proof-of-origin-for-your-goods ↩

  76. HM Revenue and Customs, Claiming preferential rates of duty between the UK and EU, updated 20 December 2022 (statement on origin; 12 months; EORI). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claiming-preferential-rates-of-duty-between-the-uk-and-eu ↩

  77. International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms 2020 wallchart (the eleven rules in two groups; "should always be used in conjunction with the Incoterms® 2020 rule book"). https://academy.iccwbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/803E_Incoterms-2020-Wallchart-A4.pdf ↩↩

  78. International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms 2020 (CIP insurance level; DAT replaced by DPU), read 28 October 2026. https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/ ↩↩

  79. Business.gov.uk, Getting paid as an exporter (advance payment for new buyers; letters of credit for "larger payments"; open account "is not allowed in India"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/learn/categories/funding-financing-and-getting-paid/get-paid/payment-methods-exporters/ ↩↩↩

  80. Business.gov.uk, How to insure against non-payment when exporting (premiums "around 1 - 2%"; claims "75 - 95%"), read 28 October 2026. https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/learn/categories/funding-financing-and-getting-paid/get-paid/insure-against-non-payment/ ↩↩

Written for businesses, founders and researchers in the North West of England and checked against the sources listed above on 28 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so always read the current call before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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