GOVERNANCE ADVISORY
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE

We help you move from undocumented workarounds to auditable, board-ready systems of trade control.

WHY GOVERNANCE
CAN’T BE NEGLECTED

Strong governance turns reactive compliance into strategic foresight. Without it, international trade becomes a series of fire drills – fragmented oversight, inconsistent processes, and costly risk exposure. Whether you’re managing a multi-jurisdictional operation or preparing for an audit or exit, a clear, embedded governance model is the foundation for confident, sustainable growth.

HOW CLEARBORDER
BUILDS GOVERNANCE THAT SCALES

Embed more resilient compliance, accountability, and control across your global trade operations – integrating governance into the way your business actually operates.

  • GOVERNANCE HEALTH CHECK & GAP ANALYSIS

    We begin by mapping your current situation: identifying gaps, overlaps, and unseen liabilities across your customs, SPS, export and internal compliance structures. You get a clear view of where governance supports, or exposes, your operations.

  • ROLES, POLICIES & ACCOUNTABILITY STRUCTURES

    How Can an International Trade Consultant Help Your Business Thrive?

    We design practical governance frameworks that define ownership, embed accountability, and align internal stakeholders. From customs escalation paths to trade policy sign-off, we ensure clarity without adding complexity.

  • DOCUMENTATION & EVIDENCE READINESS

    Man Carrying Clipboard

    Whether it’s an HMRC audit, investor diligence, or cross-border investigation, we ensure your governance model is backed by evidence. From SOPs to training logs, we build a defensible record of compliance in action.

  • EXECUTIVE & BOARD REPORTING

    We help senior leaders articulate compliance maturity and risk posture – developing governance metrics, dashboards, and board-level reports that support investment cases, regulatory response, or acquisition preparation.

YOUR INDEPENDENT PARTNER
FOR TRADE GOVERNANCE

  • BUILD & MAINTAIN
    AUDIT-READINESS

    Be prepared for any inspection or investor due diligence.

  • DEFINED ACCOUNTABILITY
    & OWNERSHIP

    Know who owns what, and how it’s being tracked.

  • INTEGRATED RISK OVERSIGHT

    Link customs, SPS, and export controls into one, unified framework.

  • ALIGNED STAKEHOLDER
    COMMUNICATIONS

    Clearer messaging for boards, partners and regulators.

  • FUTURE-FACING SYSTEMS

    Governance that evolves with your business – not against it.

CLARITY OVER CONTROL
DOESN’T JUST PROTECT.
IT ENABLES

Trade governance isn’t red tape. When it’s built properly, it frees your team to act decisively and scale responsibly. Our clients gain not just a compliance framework, but the strategic confidence to expand into new markets, move faster on deals, and avoid regulatory surprises.

WE HELP YOU OPERATIONALISE
GOVERNANCE

We work alongside your teams to integrate governance into systems, workflows and behaviours, so accountability isn’t theoretical – it’s actually lived and adhered to. From documentation trails to training protocols, we help make governance real.

GET CLARITY ON YOUR MOST COMPLEX TRADE CHALLENGES

Struggling with shifting regulations, import delays or customs headaches? You’re not alone. We help you see around corners and move forward – proactively and with confidence.

WHO OUR TRADE GOVERNANCE
SERVICES ARE FOR

  • C-SUITE EXECUTIVES &
    LEGAL COUNSEL

    Needing defensible structures for trade, customs and compliance

  • PRIVATE EQUITY &
    INVESTORS

    Seeking to assess or strengthen governance in portfolio companies

  • REGIONAL & TRADE
    OPS DIRECTORS

    Managing fragmented oversight across jurisdictions

  • COMPLIANCE &
    RISK LEADERS

    Building systems beyond basic regulation checklists

  • EXPORTERS &
    IMPORTERS

    Operating in complex, nuanced, or regulated sectors

  • DON’T SEE
    YOURSELF HERE?

    Every situation is unique.
    Contact us to discuss your
    specific challenge and
    explore a tailored solution.

TRUSTED BY LEADERS IN IN LOGISTICS, MANUFACTURING, TECH, RETAIL, AND BEYOND

  • We found clearBorder’s training to be well structured, relevant, up-to-date and informative. The real life imperfect examples they provided us with throughout the training, placed our team in the shoes of the retailers and required them to consider the impact of the decisions they have to make. The knowledge gained from this training will be invaluable when we’re assisting our customers.

    Metapack

  • Fantastic in-depth training that has differentiated my team on projects and we’ve made mandatory for everyone going forwards

    Harry Tayler, Borders Lead, Palantir UK

  • clearBorder’s advice is clear, informative, and available when we need it. It has proved invaluable in helping our team and partners navigate customs and shipping requirements in China, the EU and UK.

    Jamieson Wellness Inc., Canada

  • clearBorder has offered us in depth analysis and guidance on how we can improve our customs procedures, resulting in greater efficiency, not only in the day to day processes but in creating a robust Customs Policy.
    Friendly and helpful…every question answered.

    Denso

  • We’re proud to be working with Capita on their market development strategy for border management services and technologies.

    Capita

  • clearBorder’s training is a great way to ensure that teams have mastered the complexities of importing and exporting in a rapidly changing field. The courses are short and digestible, with plenty of practical information to get businesses trading confidently.

    Stephen Adams, Senior Director

ADDITIONAL IMPORT / EXPORT
CONSULTANCY SERVICES

  • Customs
    Compliance

    Customs
    Compliance

    Build audit-ready systems, streamline your declarations, and stay aligned with evolving trade rules. From classification to valuation, we make compliance a source of confidence – not concern.

  • Export
    Controls

    Export
    Controls

    Get clarity on sensitive goods, licensing, and jurisdictional overlap. We help you avoid reputational damage, navigate dual-use and military controls, and stay compliant with UK, EU and US regulations.

  • SPS
    Controls

    SPS
    Controls

    Trade confidently in food, plant and animal products. We simplify sanitary and phytosanitary rules and help you manage inspection points, certificates, and high-risk goods.

  • Complex
    Goods

    Complex
    Goods

    Importing or exporting high-risk or regulated items? We help you navigate sector-specific rules, port procedures, and data requirements, especially through complicated trade corridors.

  • Governance

    Governance

    Turn reactive compliance into strategic infrastructure. We help you design roles, controls, and documentation that satisfy boards, regulators, and investors.

  • Strategy &
    Horizon Scanning

    Strategy &
    Horizon Scanning

    See around corners. From geopolitical risk to regulatory change, we help you anticipate disruption and align your trade strategy to what’s coming next.

Expert perspectives for complex international trade

INSIGHTS & STRATEGIC THINKING

  • 08 Oct 2025

    Introducing our new podcast series ‘Borders for the Boardroom’

    Read more
    Read more
  • 20 Aug 2025

    Why HR-export control alignment matters – now more than ever

    Read more
    Read more

FAQs | GOVERNANCE ADVISORY

  • Essentially, “trade governance” is the system of roles, processes, documentation and oversight that ensures your business complies with international trade rules.

    It’s not just policy. It’s how accountability and compliance show up in day-to-day operations.

  • Strong governance protocols show you understand and manage your regulatory exposure. Investors and acquirers typically look for evidence of defined responsibilities, record-keeping, and decision-making clarity, especially in cross-border operations. When you’re able to demonstrate it, it enhances confidence levels significantly.

  • In short: compliance checks boxes, governance manages risk. Our frameworks link policies to real people, decisions and systems, so you’re not just compliant today, but resilient tomorrow.

  • Yes – we work to design frameworks that complement how you already work.

    So rather than creating friction, good governance means fewer surprises, less duplication, and faster decisions, based on clear roles and controls.

  • We typically work with senior leadership, operations, legal, and compliance functions. The goal is cross-functional alignment, so governance is owned and understood throughout your organisation.

  • Absolutely. Our governance health check will give you a risk-weighted view of what’s working, what’s missing, and how to align your structure with best practices and regulatory expectations.

  • Without a governance framework, even good compliance work runs the risk of being inconsistent, individual-dependent, or undocumented.

    Governance ties all your compliance activity together into a reliable, scalable system.

  • Simply book a consultation today. We’ll have an open, strategic conversation about where you are, where the risk or complexity sits, and how we can help. There’s no obligation, just an opportunity to access expert perspectives before your next move.