Please note that our usual phone lines will be unavailable on Thursday 26 March for scheduled maintenance.
During this time please contact us using our contact forms on our website.
Our phone lines should return to normal service on Friday 27 March.

Empowering your international food and drink trade

Food and drink manufacturers and retailers must overcome significant hurdles to trade effectively. These range from navigating complex paperwork to managing high duties to adapting to an ever-changing regulatory landscape. Overcome these hurdles, with the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade by your side.

At the Chartered Institute, we are dedicated to addressing your trade challenges head-on. As a Chartered body, we offer you a competitive edge through our comprehensive solutions and resources:

Advisory services
Training
Qualifications
Membership

Our mission is to empower your business to trade globally, equipping you with the knowledge and expertise to optimise your imports and maximise your exports.

Want to grow your food and drink exports in 2025? Download our FREE guide to discover five key strategies for boosting your exports.

Advisory

Advisory support for your import and export success

The Chartered Institute’s Advisory Practices, such as our Customs Advisory Practice, can embed long-lasting import and export capability in your teams. Get in-depth, practical support from our international trade experts so you have all the help you need to trade compliantly. Our advisers offer objective, specialist advice to support your food and drink business in meeting complex international trade regulations.

Your food and drink challenges

We can support you across all your customs and trade challenges, providing expert guidance on:

Post-Brexit customs procedures and documentation
Rules of origin
How to classify your food and drink products
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures
Incoterms
Excise duties and procedures

Academy

The Chartered Institute’s Academy

Build the trade leaders of tomorrow

Chartered Institute qualifications and training courses enable your teams to master importing and exporting. Our real-world expertise and deep food and drink industry knowledge can provide your team with the capability to trade compliantly and effectively.

Our live courses are delivered by some of the UK’s leading trade experts. They bridge the gap between learning and doing with tutor-led courses to help you and your team thrive.

Training

Confidently navigate the complexities of food and drink trade, and remain resilient in this increasingly complex global market. Explore our range of training solutions, led by our world-class customs and trade experts.

Become a Chartered Institute member to save up to 20% off our courses.

Customs procedures and documentation

Customs Procedures and Documentation

Exporting food consignments involves a substantial amount of paperwork, which can add significant time and cost to the clearance process. One mistake in the documentation can lead to the rejection or destruction of your goods at the border. Therefore, exporters must ensure accuracy and completeness in their paperwork to avoid costly errors.

Get up to speed on all the procedures and documents you must understand to trade compliantly and effectively. Register for our half-day course or elearning course on customs procedures and documentation.

How to classify your goods

How to Classify Your Goods

Proper classification of goods using the correct commodity codes is vital for determining applicable duties, taxes and non-tariff measures. Accurate classification helps your business avoid penalties and ensures you are paying the correct rates.

Develop your knowledge and skills, and ensure compliance when classifying your food and drink products in our how to classify your goods half-day course.

Sanitary and phytosanitary controls

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)

Both importers and exporters must be well-versed in the relevant SPS regulations that apply to their food and drink products. This includes obtaining necessary certifications, such as export health certificates, to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Get to grips with these measures and their resulting requirements, including documentary and system requirements, in our SPS one-day course.

Going digital

Rules of Origin

Food and drink exporters face high duties when entering markets, especially where no free trade agreements (FTAs) exist. Understanding the complexities of rules of origin is essential for your business to navigate these duties effectively and to claim preferential tariffs in FTAs.

Learn about the intricacies of rules of origin and their implications for your trade at our practical workshop or our half-day course.

Qualifications

Drive professional development in your team, with awards and certificates from Level 2 to 7 (Master’s). Choose from a range of customs and international trade topics, learning from the deep food and drink industry knowledge of our expert trainers.

Level 3 Certificate in Excise Practices & Procedures

An essential introduction and certification for anyone working in, or wishing to work, in the alcohol excise arena.

Level 3 Customs Practitioner Award

With modules on rules of origin and how to classify your goods, broaden your understanding of customs procedures and documentation with this certification.

Level 4 Customs Practitioner Award

Gain an advanced understanding of customs compliance, including classification, origin, valuation, completing export declarations, export licensing and excise duties.

Level 5 Diploma in World Customs Compliance & Regulation

A comprehensive qualification for customs professionals, covering international customs laws and compliance.

Membership

Join our community

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade is an industry-recognised representation of your import, export and customs excellence.

As a member, you would enjoy exclusive access to continued professional development and networking opportunities, and support from our world-class experts.

Become a member today to upskill, build your network, showcase your expertise and gain a competitive edge in the food and drink industry. Discover just some of the benefits of Chartered Institute membership below.

Member exclusive

Trade and customs helpline

Our business members increasingly turn to our trade and customs helpline for support with rules of origin, customs (UK and overseas), Incoterms, and product and packing regulations, to name just a few. Become a business member to enjoy this exclusive benefit.

Member exclusive

Special Interest Groups

Engage in our quarterly Food and Drink Special Interest Group (SIG) to exchange knowledge and experiences during peer discussions - share and gain insights, tips and expertise, and build invaluable connections!

Member exclusive

Lunchtime Learnings

Build upon your knowledge with these bite-sized learning sessions. Ideal for busy schedules, Lunchtime Learnings equip our members with practical tips and tricks they can start using the same day!

Member exclusive

Compliance toolkits

Unlock the power of compliance with our member-exclusive toolkits. Adhere to the latest regulations, streamline your compliance processes, and gain a competitive edge. Become a member to unlock our CDS and BTOM toolkits now.

Speak with us

Nicola Lancaster

With vast amounts of experience in account management and solution-based ideas, I am the sector lead for retail, and food and drink at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

As sector lead, I support new and existing members and customers, providing tailored solutions that help them trade compliantly and efficiently.

If you'd like to discuss how the Chartered Institute could support you and your team in overcoming your international trade challenges, please email me at nicola.lancaster@export.org.uk or call me at 07512 333221.

Enquire now

Want to explore how we could support you with optimising your imports and maximising your exports?

Please enquire by completing our form or call us.

Please note that our usual phone lines will be unavailable on Thursday 26 March for scheduled maintenance.

During this time please contact us using our contact forms on our website. Our phone lines should return to normal service on Friday 27 March.

📞 New enquiries

Interested in our services or looking to join.

+44 (0)1733 404 410

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm (excl. bank holidays).

👥 Central office

Renewals, payments, support with your account or services.

+44 (0)1733 404 400

Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm (excl. bank holidays).

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Empowering your international food and drink trade

Advisory support for your import and export success

Your food and drink challenges

The Chartered Institute’s Academy

Training

Customs Procedures and Documentation

How to Classify Your Goods

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)

Rules of Origin

Qualifications