How to successfully export goods from the UK to Australia

Ranked as one of the easiest places in the world to do business, Australia shares a common language with the UK and a Free Trade Agreement. The 12th largest economy in the world, Australia is an economic powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific and is a gateway to the region for ambitious UK exporters.

The UK and Australia share a great deal of history, culture and business practices, making it an easy market for UK founders to navigate. Plus, its large and wealthy consumer base considers British exports to offer excellent value for money, thanks to the strong Australian dollar.

But before you consider taking advantage of this market, you need to know what challenges you'll face when you start selling in this new environment.

To help you get to grips with everything, we've created a comprehensive guide that explains how your business can prepare to sell to customers in Australia.

Download now: Selling to customers in Australia – A guide for SMEs in the UK

What the guide contains

Selling to Australia: Main benefits and challenges

Learn about the many benefits that exporting to Australia can bring your small business, including:

• access to a new and potentially lucrative market

• the opportunity to expand your customer base

• the potential to increase your profits in a meaningful way

However, you'll likely face some challenges, and we detail these in the guide. Find out how to navigate the different regulations and customs requirements in Australia, deal with long distances and shipping costs, and understand the cultural differences you'll encounter.

Business culture in Australia

Australia has a laid-back yet professional business culture that shares many similarities with the UK. Nuances and preferences aside, Australian business culture should be relatively straightforward for UK exporters to navigate.

In this guide, you'll learn about the country's specific business customs and etiquette, including how to greet business partners and how to dress for meetings.

You'll also find guidance on how to behave in meetings and negotiations, and ways to build trust while forging strong business relationships.

Preparing to do business in Australia

Expanding into Australia is a fantastic opportunity for you to grow your business and increase your sales, revenue and profits. While Australia is a potentially lucrative market, there are many challenges to overcome first.

This section of the guide highlights why it's so important to be clear on your reasons for exporting overseas. You'll find guidance on doing market research, which is vital in understanding the demands, preferences and competitive landscape.

Find out what methods and resources you can employ when analysing consumer behaviour, identifying target demographics, and assessing market trends. The guide also explains how a well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap for success.

Getting your goods out of Australia

Exporting goods from the UK to Australia means planning carefully and following specific procedures.

In this part of the guide, you'll learn the various steps of the exporting process, such as getting an EORI number, securing an export licence (if necessary), determining the appropriate incoterms for your shipments and checking for trade barriers.

It also covers the crucial aspects of making a customs declaration and arranging for transportation.

Getting your goods into Australia

Successfully navigating customs is vital in making sure your goods enter Australia without issue. Gain insight into the process for completing the relevant customs documentation and keeping to the rules.

Learn how to sell to customers in Australia

Knowledge is power! Equip yourself with the right tools to sell to Australian customers successfully. Download our guide tailored for small businesses like yours