For any business, the legal issues involved with exporting can seem complicated. Getting products to the point of sale is affected by many commercial, legal and regulatory issues that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
With the right assistance, international trade can open up a whole new world of opportunities.
The passion you have for your business is the same passion we have for helping businesses to succeed, and there’s nothing we like better than helping a UK business realise its full potential on a global scale.
We’ve helped businesses of all sizes, including many household names on their exporting journey. Our cross-disciplinary team of expert lawyers are on hand to share their knowledge and international skill set, to enable you to export your products and services across the globe.
From identifying market and compliance requirements, to protecting your intellectual property and putting in place international supply agreements, we have the commercial knowledge to underpin your exporting goals. We can advise you on the best routes to market, whether that be direct sales to international customers or sales through an agent, distributor. your own new overseas entity or a joint venture with a local partner.
Our strong relationships with intermediaries including customs experts, financial institutions, insurers and other export support providers enables us to build a holistic package of support around companies looking to export.
In line with the UK Government's latest export strategy, we work with our US colleagues and international network of trusted partners to connect, inform and encourage exporters from the UK to enable them to grow on the world stage.
International growth creates opportunity, but it also brings legal, regulatory and commercial challenges.
Whether you are entering the UK or US, expanding into new markets, or already operating on a global scale, you need clear advice that keeps your plans moving.
Get practical advice on market entry, inward investment, export controls, customs and tariffs, sanctions, supply chains, cross-border agreements and international disputes. So you can manage risk, make confident decisions and keep growing.
No two markets work in the same way. The right route depends on your business, your sector and what you want to achieve.
Bringing those perspectives together early can help you spot risks, identify opportunities and avoid expensive wrong turns.
If you’re looking for a competitive edge internationally with joined-up legal, commercial, regulatory and operational advice that helps you enter new markets and operate across borders.
You can get support with:
Routes to market: Choose the right approach, from direct sales and agents to distributors, overseas entities, acquisitions and joint ventures
International contracts: Draft and negotiate agency, distribution, supply, logistics and other cross-border agreements
Trade compliance: Navigate customs, tariffs, rules of origin, export controls, sanctions and the movement of goods, services and technology
Inward investment: Establish or expand your business in the UK or US, including entity incorporation, property, planning, employment and regulatory compliance
Supply chains and logistics: Manage disruption, strengthen resilience and reduce the risks of moving goods internationally
Intellectual property and data: Protect your assets and meet data protection, cyber security and technology requirements across jurisdictions
International coordination: Access locally informed advice through UK and US teams and trusted law firms worldwide
Connected support: Draw on relationships with customs specialists, financial institutions, insurers and export support providers. By combining legal and external expertise, clients saved more than £4.5 million over two years in potential tariff exposure and international shipping costs.
Your team
Your international team
Combining local insight, international reach, and the right legal and technical expertise, you'll have one connected, multi-disciplinary team by your side.
No gatekeeping. No unnecessary layers. Just direct access to the right people, knowledge and perspectives.
In need of an international lawyer? Look no further.
At Womble Bond Dickinson we have an exceptional team of talented lawyers and business professionals who can offer guidance and find the solutions right for your business. We have both broad and niche expertise across all our UK and US offices.
Investment into a high-growth UK consumer cosmetics company preparing for international expansion and global brand development
International sale of a UK-headquartered higher education marketing business to a US-based buyer, involving operations across the UK, US and APAC
Cross-border sale of a hydraulics business to a Turkish automotive group with manufacturing operations and locations across Turkey and Mexico
International management buyout of a specialist travel business, involving Japanese sovereign wealth fund investment and operations across Japan, US and Australia
International investment into the UK across multiple jurisdictions, including local entity incorporation, site acquisition, planning, permitting and other regulatory requirements
International logistics operations, including commercial agreements, regulatory issues and operational risks
Cyber security compliance across 46 jurisdictions for a global chemicals business operating under multiple legal and regulatory regimes
International agency arrangements for a multinational polymer film manufacturer working with 40 to 50 agents worldwide, including the coordination of local legal advice
International distribution agreements supporting a clothing manufacturer’s expansion and supply into new markets
UK trade sanctions, including advice on the application and implications of the UK sanctions regime relating to Russia.
Testimonials
"They are careful and precise, and they think about how stances taken in litigation may affect the client's position later."
Chambers Global 2026
"The team is very strong on the larger, more complex matters. It provides clear, commercially focused advice, manages matters effectively and draws on its experience to achieve practical outcomes."
Chambers UK 2026
"The lawyers' openness, friendliness and willing nature is a welcome overlay to the high level of professionalism and global expertise from the team at Womble Bond Dickinson.”
Chambers UK 2025
“They provide regular updates on work to be invoiced, so we are always prepared before the invoice arrives, and they keep us up to date regarding work in progress which really helps to review expenditure against the budgets we have in place.”
Legal 500 2024
“Outstanding knowledge of defence and government contracts as well as trade control matters. Strong presence in general commercial contracting.”
This selection will switch the website from presenting information primarily about the United Kingdom to information about the United States. If you would like to switch back, you may use location selection options at the top of the page.
Contact
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information about any legal matter until we authorize you to do so. To initiate a possible representation, please call one of our lawyers or staff members.
By clicking the “ACCEPT” button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that, even if you submit information that you consider confidential in an effort to retain us, our review of that information will not create an obligation on us to keep it confidential and will not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you.
Please click the “ACCEPT” button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.
