Why Brands Overspend on Imports and Exports: Business Support Systems for International Trade
For businesses aiming to expand internationally, the promise of new markets is enticing. However, the journey often comes with unforeseen challenges. While tariffs and shipping fees are known expenses, many companies incur additional costs simply due to a lack of expertise in navigating the complexities of global trade.
This is where effective business support systems for international trade can make all the difference.
The Real Cost of Weak Business Support Systems for International Trade
Recent analyses have highlighted the financial impact of administrative errors in trade operations. A study examining over 600,000 customs declarations found that 34% contained errors made by brokers, leading to substantial penalties and inefficiencies for UK businesses [1]. These mistakes often involving misclassifications, valuation errors, or missing data, can result in delays, non-compliance fines, and damaged relationships with suppliers and customers.
Since Brexit, UK companies have also faced rising costs due to new EU border requirements. For example, UK food exporters to the EU are now burdened with around £170 million in additional red tape annually, including veterinary certificates costing approximately £200 per shipment [2]. This disproportionately affects SMEs, who often lack strong business support systems for international trade.
Operational Inefficiencies Add Up Without the Right Support Systems
Beyond fines and form errors, delays in customs clearance are a frequent source of hidden cost. According to HMRC, businesses can pay up to £145 per document due to inaccurate declarations [3]. These bottlenecks lead to missed sales windows, stock shortages, and lost revenue—issues that directly impact global competitiveness.
Without modern business support systems for international trade, such as digital tools or internal training, companies risk being stuck in reactive mode—firefighting issues rather than optimising performance.
The World Bank has identified non-tariff barriers and administrative inefficiencies as major factors restricting global trade growth [4]. Improving internal systems and access to trade expertise is essential.
Export Unlocked: A Smarter Business Support System for International Trade
That’s where Export Unlocked comes in, offering effective business support systems for international trade built specifically to help companies like yours reduce costs, stay compliant, and grow internationally.
Our new technology:
The Customs & Supply Chain Diagnostics Tool, developed by veterans with 40+ years of experience, helps businesses:
✔️ Scan trade operations for inefficiencies
✔️ Detect compliance issues and growth opportunities
✔️ Improve logistics performance, sustainability, and audit readiness
This tool acts as a digital business support system for international trade, translating complex customs and trade rules into practical, profitable action.
Tailored Training and Consulting: Strengthen Your Internal Trade Capabilities
In addition to diagnostics, Export Unlocked offers:
Expert consultations to uncover costly trade gaps
Bespoke training courses to help you build in-house expertise
Use Export Unlocked to: • Assess export readiness • Fix documentation and compliance issues • Prepare for customs audits • Enhance supply chain strategy • Reduce operational risk • Improve ESG performance • Train your team to run efficient global trade systems
These services form a robust, integrated business support system for international trade, empowering your team with tools, insights, and strategies to succeed globally.
View our training courses here
Seamless UK Market Entry & Fulfilment – Including Amazon Sales
In addition to diagnostics and training, Export Unlocked offers fully integrated UK-based warehouse and fulfilment services, a vital business support system for international trade.
For international businesses looking to enter or scale in the UK, we provide:
Secure UK warehouse facilities
Product intake, inspection, and storage
Custom packaging and labelling
Order fulfilment with next-day delivery
Amazon Management and Marketing support to build your UK presence
And if you want to sell via Amazon, we’ve made it even easier: You can use our independent fulfilment service, which integrates seamlessly with Amazon while offering next-day delivery across the UK.
This allows you to bypass Amazon’s own fulfilment system (FBA), saving on fees and gaining more flexibility, a more cost-effective, brand-controlled way to grow on Amazon. Ready to Trade Smarter?
Learn more about our fulfilment support here
Without the right systems in place, international growth can be a costly gamble. But with the right business support systems for international trade, you can reduce risk, avoid unnecessary costs, and unlock global opportunities.
Contact Export Unlocked today to discover how we can help your business trade smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively.
Book a free 15-minute consultation here!
References
Barbourne Brook. The High Price of Broker Errors in Customs Declarations. https://www.barbournebrook.co.uk/the-high-price-of-broker-errors-in-customs-declarations
The Guardian. UK food firms exporting to EU face £170m Brexit red tape. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/21/uk-food-firms-exporting-eu-brexit-red-tape
The Guardian. UK says importers making deliberate errors on forms to avoid Brexit charges. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/23/uk-says-importers-making-deliberate-errors-on-forms-to-avoid-brexit-border-charges
World Bank. Trade Costs and Facilitation. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/trade/publication/trade-costs-and-facilitation
