Onward sales and exports for creative industries

Access guidance and support and discover how free trade agreements can boost your creative exports from the UK.

Export from the UK

Once you have set up your creative business in the UK, you can access a range of support and advice whether you are looking to export for the first time or grow into new or existing markets.

Our online resource and step by step guide provides an overview of what you need to know to get started including:

Read about any special licensing you may require to export very rare or valuable art, antiques or cultural goods on GOV.UK.

Selling creative services or consultancy to the EU

For companies selling creative services to the EU, or transferring data, specific regulations now apply.

Find out more about selling services to the EU on GOV.UK

Free trade agreements

The UK has free trade agreements (FTAs) in place which can reduce restrictions on trade, making buying and selling easier and cheaper.

Trade agreements are made between two or more countries and set out the preferential rules for buying or selling creative goods or services between them.

Read more about FTAs on GOV.UK.

Several of the agreements provide more opportunities for creative and digital service firms based in the UK to trade easily by ensuring the free flow of data, now or in the near future. Go to GOV.UK to discover the benefits of the:

  • Singapore Digital Economy Agreement - benefits also include promotion of cross border e-commerce and mutual recognition of electronic signatures.
  • UK-Japan Digital Partnership - ensures easier faciliation of e-commerce and consumer protection for this, and increased collaboration on AI and related research activities
  • UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement - brings easier faciliation of e-commerce, increased collaboration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity and mobility for skilled talent.

The UK's joining of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) also gives increased benefits in digital trade, ensuring ease of data flow between UK and other member countries, including Canada, Malaysia and Japan.

Find out about the benefits of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) on GOV.UK.