While barriers to trade affect most firms, overcoming recent EU challenges has led some to expand into new markets, a survey from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and DHL Express has highlighted.
The survey of almost 1,000 UK businesses – 92% SMEs – shows almost half (48%) said the top barriers to exporting were costs and disruption, alongside tariffs (48%), and customs procedures (47%). A further 41% of businesses said regulatory issues such as product certification were a hindrance to trade, and 37% cited political, social, economic or environmental uncertainty.