Every year, UK businesses lose money, shipments, and reputation to compliance mistakes that were entirely avoidable. The problem is that most companies don't discover these errors until goods are held at the border, HMRC sends a demand for underpaid duties, or OFSI opens an investigation.

This seminar draws on over 15 years of hands-on trade compliance experience across sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and food to walk through the mistakes that derail international expansion — and how to avoid them.

Topics covered include:

Getting HS codes wrong — why misclassification is the single most expensive mistake in international trade, and how it triggers incorrect duty payments, delays, and penalties. Ignoring Incoterms — how choosing the wrong terms or misunderstanding your obligations can leave you liable for costs and risks you didn't expect.

Skipping sanctions screening — with OFSI, EU, and OFAC lists changing constantly, how a single unchecked counterparty can expose your business to unlimited fines or criminal prosecution.

Customs declarations and documentation — the errors that cause goods to be held, returned, or seized, and how to get declarations right the first time.

Not understanding AEO and trusted trader status — what it is, who needs it, and how it can transform your supply chain efficiency.

Failing to review compliance when trade routes change — how current disruptions in the Middle East are creating hidden risks for businesses that haven't updated their due diligence.

Each topic will include real examples and practical takeaways that attendees can apply immediately. Whether you are planning your first international shipment or expanding into new markets, this session will help you avoid the pitfalls that catch businesses out every day.