This is a list of active and resolved trade barriers that UK companies may face when trading or investing abroad. Trade barriers slow down, stop or raise costs of doing business abroad. They include unnecessary legal, regulatory, or administrative requirements. For example out-of-date regulations and licensing requirements.
Trade barriers can also include:
- local government preference for domestic or non-UK suppliers when buying government services
- over-complicated customs procedures
- excessive labelling or packaging requirements
- practices, subsidies, incentives, tariffs or taxes that put UK-based businesses at a disadvantage compared to domestic suppliers or those from other countries
- potential risks to your intellectual property
You can also check for barriers when trading or investing abroad.