International Trade Matters Ltd

International Trade Matters Ltd Overseas trade advice and support for your business.

Founded by Managing Director, Linda Middleton-Jones, International Trade Matters Ltd provides tailored support to SMEs & micro businesses.

Is your business ready for what's next? It is no secret that AI is changing the way organisations operate - after all, g...
02/09/2026

Is your business ready for what's next?

It is no secret that AI is changing the way organisations operate - after all, global markets continue to evolve and competitive pressure isn't slowing down.

The businesses that thrive won't simply adopt new technology, they'll build stronger processes, smarter systems and broader commercial opportunities.

That's exactly what we'll be discussing during our free webinar introducing the ITM Triangle Framework next Tuesday (8th).

Last few places available so if you'd like practical ideas you can start applying immediately, register for your free place here: https://zurl.co/o5I1o

If September is the month you’re planning to sharpen up your international trade knowledge, we’ve got plenty coming up a...
01/09/2026

If September is the month you’re planning to sharpen up your international trade knowledge, we’ve got plenty coming up at International Trade Matters!

We’ve got a great mix of Chambers of Commerce accredited online training courses covering the practical side of importing and exporting, including:

📚 Customs Documentation & Procedures
📚 Export Documentation
📚 Methods of Payment
📚 Understanding Exporting
📚 Understanding Commodity Codes
📚 Import Procedures

And if you’re looking for something a little shorter, we’ve also got a series of FREE webinars coming up, covering some really relevant topics for businesses trading internationally:

🔹 Preparing for a Customs Audit – what to expect and how to make sure your business is ready.

🔹 The ITM Triangle: Why Lean, AI and Export Are the Three Forces Driving Business Growth – exploring three areas that could have a real impact on how businesses grow and compete.

🔹 How First Sale for Export Can Reduce US Import Duty – an interesting one for businesses importing into the US and looking at ways to manage duty costs.

🔹 Border Target Operating Model – a practical look at the latest developments and what they mean for businesses moving goods across borders.

So, whether you’re looking to build your team’s knowledge, refresh your own understanding, or simply keep up with what’s changing in international trade, there’s something for you this September.

Take a look at the upcoming events and find the sessions that are right for you on our Events Page: https://zurl.co/XRXle



Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Global with GMCC Chamber Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Wales South East, South West and Mid

We do enjoy statistics here at International Trade Matters, so this article on made for interesting reading: https://zu...
31/08/2026

We do enjoy statistics here at International Trade Matters, so this article on made for interesting reading: https://zurl.co/mVlSD

Did you know that the import of goods into the EU outpaced exports in Q2 of 2026?

An interesting article from Cargo Week looking at what the Strait of Hormuz tells us about the future of freight intell...
30/08/2026

An interesting article from Cargo Week looking at what the Strait of Hormuz tells us about the future of freight intelligence. Have a read here: https://zurl.co/nhpGX

14 Ministers. 11 Years. One uncomfortable truth about UK trade policy.Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, what have...
29/08/2026

14 Ministers. 11 Years. One uncomfortable truth about UK trade policy.
Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, what have we actually learned?

Lesley Batchelor shares her perspective on Brexit, customs, business capability and why technical expertise and continuity matter. A thought-provoking read for anyone involved in UK international trade.

Read the full article here: https://zurl.co/YPCFD

The US Executive Order on "Strengthening Customs Enforcement" introduces a series of measures affecting Importers of Rec...
28/08/2026

The US Executive Order on "Strengthening Customs Enforcement" introduces a series of measures affecting Importers of Record, including:

• Foreign IOR eligibility
• Continuous bond arrangements
• CTPAT requirements
• Enhanced disclosure obligations
• CAATSA certification
• Increased enforcement activity

Businesses with US import exposure should be assessing their current structures and compliance readiness. To help with this, ITM Specialist Douglas Mackay has produced both a technical article and a detailed advisory note for businesses affected by the changes.

You can find them over on our website: https://zurl.co/KQaoO

27/08/2026

A new overseas enquiry comes in. The customer looks promising, the sales opportunity is there and naturally the instinct is to say yes and that is how a lot of businesses start exporting.

There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but at some point the question needs to change from “Can we sell there?” to “Is this actually where we want to grow?”

Every new market brings consequences beyond the sales forecast. It can affect your supply chain, working capital, compliance, customer support, distribution arrangements and, perhaps most importantly, the time and resources your management team needs to commit.

We see businesses that have gradually built an international footprint simply by responding to opportunities as they appear. Five years later, they are selling in several countries, but the overall picture isn't necessarily one they would have designed themselves.

So perhaps the useful question is this:

If you were starting again today, knowing what you know about your customers, markets, margins and operational capability, would you build your international business in exactly the same way?

If the answer is no, it might be time to step back and look at the bigger picture.

“Our freight forwarder handles customs, so we’re covered.”It’s a phrase we hear quite often! And yes, your freight forw...
26/08/2026

“Our freight forwarder handles customs, so we’re covered.”

It’s a phrase we hear quite often! And yes, your freight forwarder may handle the customs declaration for you. But that doesn’t mean you can switch off from what’s actually being declared.

Tell us, who is checking that the commodity code is right? That the origin and customs value are correct? That the Incoterm® being used makes sense? Your forwarder can help move the goods, but your business still needs to understand its customs responsibilities.

For many SMEs, this knowledge sits with one person who has simply learned the process over time and that can work… until they’re away, the business grows, or something changes.

Good compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about having the right processes, the right knowledge and knowing when to ask for help.

If your international trade operation has grown faster than your customs expertise, it might be time for a review - give us our team of experienced and practical international trade specialists a call - they will be more than happy to discuss your current operations and see where we can help.

📞 0333 7722565
📧 [email protected]

How confident are you and your team when it comes to international trade?Choosing and using the correct Incoterm®, corr...
25/08/2026

How confident are you and your team when it comes to international trade?

Choosing and using the correct Incoterm®, correctly preparing the documentation needed for international shipments, are you classifying your goods correctly? what about understanding rules of origin...

If you've answered "same as we always have" or "I'm not sure" then perhaps it may be time for a quick refresher!

Our practical, and highly rated Chambers of Commerce accredited training courses start again on the 8th September, so why not join our real-world experienced and knowledgeable trainers as they cover some of the fundamentals areas of importing and exporting.

We know that training is only useful when people can take what they have learened back to the workplace, and that is exactly what we aim for.

To find our full list of courses, have a look at the events page of our website: https://zurl.co/uRnkY

24/08/2026

What would you do if your international sales doubled?

At first glance, doubling your international sales sounds like exactly the problem most businesses want to have! But if it happened tomorrow, would your operation actually be ready for it?

For an Operations Manager, that might mean asking whether your warehouse, systems, logistics and processes could absorb the additional volume without creating delays or bottlenecks.

For Finance, it could mean dealing with greater working capital requirements, different payment cycles and increased exposure across international markets.

For senior leaders, there is a bigger question: has the business built the capability to support the growth it is trying to achieve?

Because growth doesn't always create new problems. Sometimes it simply exposes weaknesses that were already there. Processes that worked perfectly well at £2m of international sales may become a constraint at £5m. Reliance on one key individual can suddenly become a serious business risk and a supply chain that coped with current volumes may struggle when demand increases.

Sustainable international growth isn't simply about winning more overseas business. It's about making sure the people, processes, systems and infrastructure behind that growth can support it.

So, if your international sales doubled over the next 12 months, where would your business feel the pressure first? And more importantly, what could you strengthen now, before growth makes it urgent?

Address

36 Bear Street
Barnstaple
EX311HN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443337722565

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