What to consider when exporting goods Evaluating your export readiness According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in its July 2016 report, Destination Export: The Small Business Export Landscape, small firms that export are more likely to survive, grow and innovate when compared to those that don’t, contributing to the UK’s productivity and position as a global trading power. Exports form a major part of the UK Government’s drive to boost the national economy. It has aspirations to get 100,000 more companies to export and double the value of exports to £1 trillion a year by 2020. So, when as a small business are you ready to make the ‘export leap’? Age of small firms most likely to consider exporting 21% 19% 9% 9% 7% 4% Less than Less than 5-9 years 10-19 years 20-49 years 50 or more 2 years 4 years years Start-ups The FSB study suggests 21% of startups make the decision within two years and 19% of startups make the decision to export within four years. The small business guide to import and export 8