Getting started with import and export

Managing export business risk and corruption

UK Bribery Act compliance, due diligence on overseas buyers, political risk assessment, and IP protection abroad.

UK-wide
Guide summary

Manage risks when exporting by checking buyers' backgrounds, protecting your intellectual property, and using secure payment methods. You could face unlimited fines or prison for bribery, so have procedures to prevent it. Register IP in each country before selling there.

  • Check buyers' identities and keep records for 5 years
  • Use Letters of Credit for secure payments over €15,000
  • Register trademarks and patents in each country before selling
  • Have anti-bribery procedures to avoid unlimited fines
  • Self-report bribery to SFO to avoid prosecution
  • Get export insurance for high-risk markets
  • Use UK IPO's country guides for IP protection
  • Extra checks needed for politicians or high-risk countries
  • India and China need special IP and corruption precautions
  • Political risk assessments available from UK government
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Exporting exposes businesses to risks beyond domestic trade: buyer non-payment, political instability, corruption, intellectual property theft, and contract disputes. Understanding and managing these risks is essential for sustainable international growth.

Adequate procedures defence

While companies face unlimited fines for failure to prevent bribery by associated persons (Section 7), you can defend by proving you had 'adequate procedures' in place. The Ministry of Justice outlines six principles: proportionate procedures, top-level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence on third parties, communication/training, and monitoring/review.

Self-reporting to SFO

New 2025 guidance: If you discover suspected bribery and self-report to the Serious Fraud Office while cooperating fully, you can expect to be invited to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement rather than face prosecution, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Protecting your intellectual property overseas

IP rights are territorial. UK trademark registration only protects you in the UK. Most countries use 'first to file' systems, meaning whoever files first gets protection regardless of who used it first. This makes early registration critical.

Payment risk and export credit insurance

When exporting to higher-risk markets or unfamiliar buyers, consider UK Export Finance insurance covering up to 95% of losses from non-payment, insolvency, or political events. Letters of Credit provide bank-guaranteed payment security for high-value exports.