UK businesses growing internationally can access two kinds of government support: export grants (non-repayable funding for market research, trade events and market entry) and UK Export Finance (UKEF) support — guarantees, insurance and financing that help you win, fulfil and get paid for export contracts. UKEF typically works through banks and lenders rather than lending directly. Both are open to SMEs, not just large exporters.
Key takeaways
- Export grants fund market research, trade events and market entry.
- UK Export Finance (UKEF) provides guarantees, insurance and financing support.
- UKEF usually works through banks and lenders, not as a direct lender.
- UKEF tools can help with working capital, contract bonds and non-payment risk.
- Support is open to SMEs, including those new to exporting.
- Grants and UKEF-supported finance can be combined for ambitious export plans.
Exporting can transform an established business, but international growth brings funding and risk challenges — from financing market entry to making sure you get paid by overseas buyers. The UK government offers two complementary forms of support: export grants and UK Export Finance (UKEF). This guide explains what is available, how UKEF works, who qualifies, and how to access support for your international growth.
Two kinds of export support
It helps to separate the two strands. Export grants are non-repayable funding to help you develop international trade — supporting activities such as market research, attending trade events, or entering new markets. UK Export Finance support is about the finance and risk of actually trading overseas — guarantees, insurance and financing that help you win, fulfil and get paid for export contracts. Many businesses use both as part of an international growth plan.
What is UK Export Finance?
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency. Its role is to support UK exporters with guarantees, insurance and financing solutions that make it easier to compete for and deliver export contracts. Importantly, UKEF typically works through banks and lenders — providing guarantees and support that enable them to offer export-related finance — rather than acting as a high-street lender itself. The exact mechanism depends on the product and your situation.
How UKEF can help
UKEF’s support can address several common export challenges:
| Challenge | How UKEF can help |
|---|---|
| Winning contracts | Enabling financing for buyers of UK goods and services. |
| Working capital | Guarantees that support finance to fulfil orders. |
| Contract bonds | Support for the bonds buyers may require. |
| Getting paid | Support against the risk of non-payment. |
These tools can make the difference between being able to take on an international order and having to turn it down.
Export grants
Alongside UKEF, export grants provide non-repayable funding to help businesses develop their international trade. Typical uses include market research, attending overseas trade events, and supporting entry into new markets. Availability varies by programme, region and over time, and some grants require match funding, so check the criteria and what contribution is needed for each opportunity.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on the specific grant or UKEF product, but support is open to SMEs as well as larger businesses, including those new to exporting. Indeed, part of the purpose of export support is to help smaller businesses access international markets they might otherwise find difficult. Many programmes are aimed at established UK businesses that export or are ready to start, so check the criteria for each.
Export support isn’t just for big exporters. If you’re an established business ready to sell overseas, both grants and UKEF support are designed with SMEs in mind.
Combining grants and finance
The two strands work well together. A grant might fund market entry — research and trade events — while finance, including UKEF-supported facilities, funds the working capital and contracts, subject to the rules and any subsidy limits. A coordinated approach, planned in advance, can support ambitious export growth that neither route would achieve alone.
How to access support
- Use government export support services and your local growth hub to identify grants and advice.
- Explore UKEF products relevant to your contracts and risks.
- Speak to your bank or a broker about export-related finance, potentially with UKEF support.
- Check eligibility and any match-funding requirements for grants.
- Plan ahead, especially when bidding for contracts with deadlines.
The bottom line
For established UK businesses growing internationally, export grants and UK Export Finance support tackle the two big challenges of exporting — funding market entry and financing and de-risking the trade itself. Grants offer non-repayable funding for market development, while UKEF provides guarantees, insurance and financing through banks and lenders to help you win, fulfil and get paid for contracts. Both are open to SMEs, and used together they can underpin a confident push into international markets.
Frequently asked questions
What export support is available for UK businesses?
Support spans grants and advice to help businesses start or grow exporting, and finance and guarantees from UK Export Finance (UKEF) to support international trade. The mix includes help with market entry, and tools to manage the finance and risk of trading overseas.
What is UK Export Finance?
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency. It supports UK exporters by providing guarantees, insurance and financing solutions that help businesses win, fulfil and get paid for export contracts, working alongside banks and lenders.
Does UKEF lend to me directly?
UKEF typically works through banks and lenders, providing guarantees and support that enable them to offer export-related finance, rather than acting as a high-street lender. The exact mechanism depends on the product and your situation.
What are export grants?
Export grants are non-repayable funding to help businesses develop their international trade — for example supporting market research, attending trade events, or entering new markets. Availability varies by programme, region and over time.
Who is eligible for export support?
Eligibility depends on the specific grant or UKEF product. Many are aimed at established UK businesses that export or are ready to start. Check the criteria for each programme, as size, sector and the nature of the trade can all matter.
How can UKEF help me win export contracts?
UKEF support can help by enabling financing for buyers of UK goods and services, providing guarantees that support working capital and contract bonds, and offering insurance against non-payment, making it easier to compete for and fulfil international orders.
Can UKEF help if I worry about not being paid?
Yes. Among UKEF’s tools is support that helps protect against the risk of non-payment on export contracts, which can be a major concern when trading with overseas buyers. The specifics depend on the product and your circumstances.
Do export grants require match funding?
Some do, covering only part of the cost. Check the requirements of each grant and that you can fund your share. As with other grants, terms and conditions apply.
How do I find export grants and support?
Government export support services, your local growth hub, and UKEF information are good starting points. These can signpost grants, advice and finance options relevant to your international growth plans.
Can I combine export grants with finance?
Often yes. A grant might support market entry while finance — including UKEF-supported facilities — funds the working capital or contracts, subject to the rules and any subsidy limits. A coordinated approach can support ambitious export plans.
Is export support only for large exporters?
No. Support is available to SMEs as well as larger businesses, including those new to exporting. UKEF and export grants exist partly to help smaller businesses access international markets they might otherwise find difficult.
How long does it take to access export support?
Grants involve an application and assessment process, while UKEF-supported finance is arranged with banks and lenders. Timelines vary, so engage early and plan ahead, especially when bidding for contracts with deadlines.
Where can I get advice on exporting?
Government export support services and your local growth hub offer advice, and UKEF can explain its products. For finance, a broker or your bank can help structure facilities, potentially with UKEF support.
Are export grants taxable?
The tax treatment depends on the grant’s nature and purpose. Confirm with your accountant, as it affects the net value of the funding.
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