Sanctions and Regulations

This half-day course is designed to provide UK exporters and importers with a thorough understanding of sanctions and regulations which affect international trade.

Participants will learn about how UK sanctions and regulations can significantly impact SMEs.

By the end of this half-day course, participants will have a practical understanding of sanctions and regulations as they affect UK businesses enabling them to ensure compliance, reduce delays, and streamline their international trade operations.

Learning Objectives:

• How sanctions and regulations can significantly impact SMEs
• The importance of risk assessments
• The importance of compliance
• The consequences of penalties and resulting reputational damage

Course Delivery:

• Duration: Half-day (3.5 hours, including breaks).
• Format: In-person.
• Materials Provided: Course slide handout.
• Includes: Group discussions, Q&A sessions.
• Regulations: All courses will include any regulatory changes made from September 2025 by the UK government.
• Agenda subject to change

Target Audience:

• Export Managers and Coordinators
• Import Managers and Coordinators
• Trade Compliance Officers
• Logistics and Supply Chain Professionals
• SME Owners involved in international trade

Schedule:

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration and Networking

• Participants arrive, register, and have an opportunity to network with peers.

09:30 – 09:45 | Introduction and Course Objectives

• Welcome and introductions.
• Overview of course objectives and agenda.

09:45 – 10:15 | Introduction to Trade Sanctions

• Overview of international trade in the UK context
• Importance of trade compliance for SMEs
• Common challenges SMEs face
• Key trade bodies and regulatory authorities

10:15 – 11:00 | Understanding Trade Sanctions

• Definition and rationale for sanctions
• Types of sanctions: economic, trade, arms embargoes, financial sanctions
• Jurisdictional reach: UK, EU, US, multilateral sanctions
• Impact on SME operations (case examples)

11:00 – 11:15 | Coffee Break

11:15 – 11:45 | UK Sanctions Framework

• UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA)
• Role of the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI)
• Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI)
• Overview of sanction regimes in UK, EU and US
• Current sanctions: countries and sectors (latest updates)
• Export controls and dual use goods

11:45 – 12:15 | Practical Compliance for SMEs

• Building internal compliance programs
• Customer and transaction screening
• Risk assessment and due diligence
• Record keeping and reporting
• Enforcement case studies

12:15 – 12:30 | Conclusion and Wrap-Up

• Recap of key points covered.
• Future International Trade courses from Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

Instructor:

Linda Bazant LLB (Hons) Barrister and Member of The Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade.

TRAIN MORE, SAVE MORE: Book one attendee and receive 50% off each additional booking.

To book under this discount, please email Giorgia.Burgess@surrey-chambers.co.uk.

Discount applies to additional attendees from the same company only.