How to export from the UK: a first-timer's guide.

Once your paperwork is in order, the biggest practical decision is how to load your cargo.

A full container (FCL, Full Container Load) gives you a 20ft, 40ft or 40HC box to yourself. Everything inside is yours. It is the right choice if your cargo fills most of the container, if you need a controlled environment, or if the cargo is sensitive to other goods being loaded alongside it.

A shared container (LCL, Less than Container Load, also called groupage) puts your cargo in a container with other exporters' goods. You pay only for the cubic metres and weight you use. For first-time exporters sending a smaller volume, LCL is often significantly cheaper than booking a full box you don't need.

Not sure which? Tell us your cargo dimensions and weight and we'll tell you which works out cheaper for your shipment.

Every product that crosses an international border is assigned a commodity code, a numerical classification from the UK Trade Tariff that tells customs authorities exactly what the goods are. The code determines the rate of import duty and VAT the buyer will pay, and it appears on the export declaration.

Getting the commodity code wrong is one of the most common first-timer mistakes. An incorrect code can cause delays at the destination port, result in the wrong duty rate being charged, and create paperwork problems that are time-consuming to unwind.

You can look up commodity codes on the UK Government's Trade Tariff tool. If you are unsure which code applies to your product, tell us what it is and we will advise, or point you to the right place to confirm.

An export declaration is the formal notification to UK customs that goods are leaving the country. It is submitted electronically through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service before the cargo arrives at the port. Without it, your goods cannot legally be loaded onto the vessel.

The declaration includes: your EORI number, the commodity code, a description and value of the goods, the destination country, and the exporter's details. It generates a movement reference number that the port uses to link your physical cargo to the customs record.

We arrange and manage export declarations through trusted partners as part of every shipment. You do not need to submit this yourself, but you do need to provide us with accurate cargo details, correct values and the right commodity codes so the declaration can be prepared correctly.

• No EORI number. Applying too late causes delays. Apply to HMRC as soon as you decide to export.
• Undervaluing goods on the commercial invoice. Declaring a lower value to reduce the buyer's import duty is customs fraud in most countries. It also means if the cargo is lost or damaged, your insurance payout is based on the declared value.
• Wrong commodity code. Take the time to confirm the correct code before the declaration is filed. Amending it after the fact is possible but creates extra work.
• Missing or inconsistent documents. The commercial invoice, packing list and export declaration must all agree on quantities, values and descriptions. Mismatches trigger customs queries at the destination.
• Leaving paperwork to the last minute. Export declarations must be filed before cargo arrives at the port. Turning up at the gate without a valid declaration means the shipment does not load.

What we do: arrange collection from your premises, book the container and sailing, prepare the export declaration through trusted partners, prepare any required certificates (ATR/EUR1 for Turkey), and coordinate import clearance at the destination. We keep you updated throughout and handle the whole job.

What you need to provide: accurate descriptions of your goods, correct declared values on the commercial invoice, and your EORI number (we'll remind you to get this sorted). For first shipments, we walk you through each document so nothing is missed.

The division is simple: you know your goods and their value; we know how to move them and keep them clear of customs problems.