Local market regulations are the rules set by governments, industries and regulators that decide how your goods can be sold in a given market. Before you export, check labelling, product safety and environmental requirements in the destination country.
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What are local market regulations?
Local market regulations for your products are any rules set by governments, industries or regulatory bodies that control how your goods can be sold on a given market. This is separate from customs formalities: even correctly cleared goods may fail to meet the requirements of the destination market.
The most common types of regulation
- Product labelling. Your chosen market may have different labelling rules. For example, if your product is labelled 'organic' in the UK, you may not be able to label it the same way in your export market.
- Product safety. These rules are designed to ensure that your product is safe enough to be sold in a specific country, and requirements can vary between markets. For an example from UK–EU trade, see our articles on CE and UKCA marking and UKCA certification.
- Environmental and health requirements. There is a wide range of environmental and health regulations that can affect exports. They can also apply to countries your goods pass through.
- Food standards. Rules on importing food can vary significantly by region and type of product; see exporting food to the UK: requirements, EHC and IPAFFS.
- Liability insurance. The level of liability insurance required can differ between markets and affect the profitability of exporting.
How to assess the impact of local regulations on your exports
Understanding the regulations in each market, and obtaining the accreditations or certificates required, can take a lot of time and resources, so it pays to start the analysis before the first shipment.
You can carry out basic online research using the websites of the relevant regulatory bodies and the UK government's Check international trade barriers service. The service is informational and aimed at UK businesses.
The local Department for Business and Trade advisory team can put UK businesses in touch with in-country regulatory experts, and can advise on grants or programmes available to support market research.
What next?
Market regulations are only one part of exporting. Documents, delivery terms and clearance are covered in our guides to international trade documentation and how exporting to the UK works after Brexit. If you need help preparing an export, get in touch with us.
Frequently asked questions
What are local market regulations?
They are rules set by governments, industries or regulators that control how goods can be sold on a given market, including labelling, product safety and environmental requirements.
Is correct customs clearance enough to sell my goods in the destination market?
No. Customs clearance deals with border formalities, while local market regulations decide whether a product can be legally sold in a country, for example in terms of labelling or safety.
Where can I check trade barriers in the destination market?
UK businesses can use the government's Check international trade barriers service and the websites of the destination country's regulators. The service is informational and is not legal advice.
Who can help me understand regulations in the destination country?
UK businesses can use their local Department for Business and Trade advisory team, which can put them in touch with in-country regulatory experts. For customs matters and documents you can also contact a customs agent.
Related guides
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