There are three published data sources that provide sub-national information about businesses that are exporters or importers:
Information about non-financial, VAT/PAYE registered, enterprises that are exporters and/or importers of goods and/or services. This is based on responses by companies to the ONS Annual Business Survey (ABS) of their activities. It is only available for the 12 UK ITL1 areas, including the nine broad English regions.
A summary of administrative details from the ONS Inter-departmental Business Register (IDBR). This provides counts of the number of sites and employees linked to companies that export or import. The data is available for ITL3 areas. These are single or combined local authority areas. There is no information about the number of businesses that both export and import.
A more timely and detailed dataset of importers and exporters of goods only. This is part of the HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics release. It includes ITL1 area exporter and importer counts for individual markets. It does not include information about the total number of businesses that both export and import goods.
North East exporters and importers
8,400
Exporters and/or importers
North East ITL1 region, 2023,
1,600 higher than in 2022.
5,700 goods exporters or importers,
4,300 service exporters or importers.
5,400
Exporters
North East ITL1 region, 2023,
200 higher than in 2022.
3,000 goods exporters,
3,000 service exporters.
5,900
Importers
North East ITL1 region, 2023,
2,100 higher than in 2022.
3,900 goods importers,
3,100 service exporters.
8.9%
of North East businesses
exporters (2023).
Exporters of goods: 4.9%,
exporters of services: 4.9%,
England: 4.2% and 8.9%.
Data information: Based on responses to the Annual Business Survey of PAYE/VAT registered, non-financial, private sector, businesses. Geography: North East ITL1 area, which includes the North East and Tees Valley combined authority areas.
Data information: Based on responses to the Annual Business Survey of PAYE/VAT registered, non-financial, private sector, businesses. Rates expressed as a percentage of this cohort. Geography: ITL1 areas, including nine broad English regions, where the North East includes the North East and Tees Valley combined authority areas.
Data information: Based on responses to the Annual Business Survey of PAYE/VAT registered, non-financial, private sector, businesses. Rates expressed as a percentage of this cohort. Geography: ITL1 areas, including nine broad English regions, where the North East includes the North East and Tees Valley combined authority areas.
Data information: Based on responses to the Annual Business Survey of PAYE/VAT registered, non-financial, private sector, businesses. Rates expressed as a percentage of this cohort. Geography: ITL1 areas, including nine broad English regions, where the North East includes the North East and Tees Valley combined authority areas.
Source: Regional Trade in Goods (HMRC). Latest annual data release (2024 data): 20 Mar 2025. Geography: The North East ITL1 area, which includes the North East and Tees Valley MCA areas. Data information: Statistics compiled using transaction information collected by HMRC.
Source: Regional Trade in Goods (HMRC). Latest annual data release (2024 data): 20 Mar 2025. Geography: The North East ITL1 area, which includes the North East and Tees Valley MCA areas. Data information: Statistics compiled using transaction information collected by HMRC.
Source: Regional Trade in Goods (HMRC). Latest annual data release (2024 data): 20 Mar 2025. Geography: The North East ITL1 area, which includes the North East and Tees Valley MCA areas. Data information: Statistics compiled using transaction information collected by HMRC.
Data information: Identified sites (local units) of registered enterprises that export or import goods. Geography: North East ITL3 areas. County Durham, Northumberland and Sunderland local authority areas; Tyneside ITL3 area includes Gateshead, Newcastle, and North and South Tyneside.
Data information: Identified sites (local units) of registered enterprises that export or import goods.
Expressed as a percentage of all identified sites. Geography: North East ITL3 areas. County Durham, Northumberland and Sunderland local authority areas; Tyneside ITL3 area includes Gateshead, Newcastle, and North and South Tyneside.
Data information: Employees in identified sites (local units) of registered enterprises that export or import goods. Geography: North East ITL3 areas. County Durham, Northumberland and Sunderland local authority areas; Tyneside ITL3 area includes Gateshead, Newcastle, and North and South Tyneside.
Data information: Employees in identified sites (local units) of registered enterprises that export or import goods.
Expressed as a percentage of all employees in identified sites of registered enterprises. Geography: North East ITL3 areas. County Durham, Northumberland and Sunderland local authority areas; Tyneside ITL3 area includes Gateshead, Newcastle, and North and South Tyneside.
The evidence hub includes two international trade reports, one each for goods and services. It also has an international trade source page which links to data reports about all aspects of this topic. The links to the source data are also included in this section:
North East trade in goods
The evidence hub page that summarises the quarterly HMRC regional trade release.
The landing page within the evidence hub that contains links to information about international trade, investment, and other ways that the North East interacts with the rest of the world.
