Expanding your business into countries is a really exciting step. This means you can reach customers and increase your sales. You can also grow your brand. Selling products overseas is not that easy. You cannot just ship a package. Wait for it to arrive. Every country has its rules and paperwork and taxes and customs requirements. If you do not follow these rules properly you can lose a lot of money because of a mistake.

Many businesses in the UK lose thousands of pounds every year. This happens because they do not pay attention to parts of international trade compliance. Some shipments get delayed at the border. Others are charged duties that they were not expecting. Some businesses even have to pay penalties because they did not follow the correct procedures. International trade compliance is very important for businesses that sell products overseas.

The good news is that you can avoid most of these problems. Once you understand the rules of trade compliance and put the right systems in place international trading becomes much easier. Good international trade compliance protects your business. Keeps your customers happy. It also helps your goods move smoothly across borders. International trade compliance is key to international trading.

In this guide we will look at eleven mistakes that businesses make when it comes to international trade compliance. We will explain how you can avoid these mistakes and make international trade compliance easier, for your business.

1. Not Understanding Import and Export Rules

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is assuming that shipping products overseas is the same as selling them within the UK.

Every country has its own customs rules, taxes, product restrictions, and documentation requirements. If you don’t understand the import export regulations UK, you could face delays before your goods even reach your customer.

For example, some products require licences, health certificates, or special declarations before they can be imported or exported. Missing just one document can hold your shipment at customs and increase your costs.

Before sending goods abroad, take time to learn both UK requirements and the regulations of the destination country. A little preparation now can prevent expensive problems later.

Reference: Import goods into the UK: step by step – GOV.UK

Reference: Export goods from the UK: step by step – GOV.UK

2. Ignoring Customs Compliance

International trade offers valuable growth opportunities for UK businesses, but success depends on meeting customs and legal requirements. Accurate invoices, product descriptions, declarations, and customs documentation help prevent delays, penalties, and additional costs. Maintaining customs compliance ensures smoother cross-border trade and reduces the risk of shipment disruptions.

Reference:  HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ,Customs Declarations

3. Forgetting About Duties and Taxes

When businesses do trade with countries they need to think about import duties and VAT and customs charges and other taxes too not just the cost of shipping things from one place to another.

If they figure out all these costs before they start trading they can set prices that’re right they can avoid getting surprises with extra costs and they can make more money from trading with other countries.

Reference: GOV.UK , UK Trade Tariff

4. Using the Wrong Commodity Code

Every time a product is sent to another country it needs a commodity code.

The commodity code is important because it tells the customs people what the product is. This code determines how tax or duty the product should have. If you use the commodity code you might pay too much duty or not enough tax. You might even have to wait for your shipment or get a penalty from the customs people.

If you are not sure which commodity code is right for your product do not try to guess. Take some time to find the correct commodity code for your product. This can help you avoid making mistakes that will cost you money later.

Understanding how the HMRC customs works is important, for people who do business in countries. It is a part of keeping your business safe and following the rules.

You need to know about commodity codes and HMRC customs to trade.

Reference: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ,Find a Commodity Code

5. Relying Much on Your Shipping Company

Shipping companies handle transportation. Businesses are still in charge of freight compliance. Before every shipment make invoices, customs declarations, product classifications and any supporting documents are correct to prevent delays, fines or extra charges.

Reference: Department, for Business and Trade – *Trading Internationally*

6. Assuming Every Country Has the Same Rules

Every country has its rules for importing and exporting things and for the products that are made and sold there so businesses should never think that the same rules are, in place everywhere. Understanding cross-border compliance, including the standards that products have to meet how products are labeled the licenses that are needed and the customs requirements helps prevent delays, legal problems and expensive fines while supporting successful cross-border compliance and international trade.

7. Bad Record Keeping Can Cost Your Business Money

The trade rules are always changing because of customs requirements and trade agreements. To avoid problems UK businesses need to stay up to date with the information from the Department for Business and Trade. This helps them when they are trading with countries. They will not have to deal with delays or penalties. The Department, for Business and Trade gives them the guidance they need to follow the trade rules. This way UK businesses can trade internationally without any compliance issues.

Reference:  HM Revenue & Customs , Import and Export for Businesses

8. Not Keeping Up with Changes in UK Trade Law

Trade rules change regularly through new customs requirements and trade agreements. Staying updated with the latest guidance from the Department for Business and Trade helps UK businesses avoid delays, penalties, and compliance issues when trading internationally.

Department for Business and Trade – GOV.UK

Reviewing these updates every few months can help your business stay compliant with UK trade law and avoid unnecessary problems.

9. Assuming European Rules Are the Same Everywhere

A lot of businesses think that if they do business with one country in Europe everything is the same in all the European countries.

The truth is, European countries can be really different when it comes to things like product labels and safety standards and customs documents and packaging. Even though many European countries follow the European trade regulations, there are still some important differences between them.

You should really do your research on each country before you ship any products there. This can help you avoid making mistakes that will cost you a lot of money and cause delays, with customs and the European countries you are doing business with.

Reference: 

GOV.UK, Trading with Europe

10. Bad Planning for International Logistics

Moving things from one country to another is not about getting them from one place to another. You have to think about getting them through customs storing them insuring them and when they will get to where they’re going. You also have to think about things that could go wrong.

If you take the time to plan the trip you can avoid a lot of problems that surprise new companies that are sending things to other countries.

The UK Government has some helpful tips for moving things across borders and they have advice, for both bringing things into the country and sending things out of the country.

Import goods into the UK: step by step – GOV.UK

11. Waiting Until There’s a Problem Before Getting Advice

Many businesses only ask for help after receiving a customs penalty or discovering their shipment has been delayed.

Speaking with an expert beforehand is usually far less expensive than fixing mistakes afterwards. Professionals who specialise in commercial law UK can help you understand your responsibilities before problems arise.

If you’d like to review the current legislation yourself, the UK Government keeps all legislation online, making it easy to check the latest legal requirements affecting international trade.

International Trade Compliance Is Really Important

Expanding into markets needs strong international trade compliance to lower risks and help, with long-term growth. By keeping customs compliance improving international logistics and making sure business compliance is always there companies can prevent expensive delays follow the law and trade with confidence.

Final Thoughts

International trade offers huge opportunities for UK businesses, but success depends on more than finding overseas customers. It also requires planning, accurate documentation, and a clear understanding of your legal responsibilities.

Whether you’re shipping your first international order or managing hundreds of exports every year, making international trade compliance part of your daily operations will help you avoid costly mistakes. When you combine careful planning with expert guidance under commercial law UK, your business will be in a much stronger position to grow safely and successfully.

Running a business in the United Kingdom is an experience but it also means you have to think about a lot of things when it comes to the law. As a company director you are the one who makes the decisions that affect your business, the people who work for you, the people who own parts of your company and the people who buy things from you.

Some business owners think that when they start a company they are completely safe from anything bad happening to them. However this is not entirely true because even though a limited company gives you some protection company directors still have to follow the rules. If company directors do not follow these rules company directors could get in trouble such as having to pay fines dealing with lawyers or company directors might even be stopped from being a company director

The Companies Act 2006 is a law that says what all company directors have to do. These legal duties apply to all company directors UK, regardless of the size of their business  It is really important to know what the Companies Act 2006 says so you can make sure your business is doing everything right and following all the rules. This is what helps your business succeed.

In this guide we will go over the eight things that company directors in the United Kingdom have to do so every UK business owner can understand what is expected of them as a company director, in the United Kingdom.

1. Stay Within Your Legal Powers

Being a director in the UK is a job and one of the most important things you have to do is make sure you are only doing things that you are allowed to do by your companys rules and the Companies Act 2006.

When you are getting ready to make a decision for your business you should always check if you are actually allowed to make that decision. If you make decisions that you are not supposed to make you could get in trouble. It could cause problems for your business.

The Companies Act 2006 says that directors have to follow the rules and do what the law and the companys rules say they can do. Directors have to be careful and make sure they are doing things the way. The Companies Act 2006 is very clear about this. It is something that directors, in the UK need to remember.

Reference: Companies Act 2006

2. Always Act in the Best Interests of the Company

Directors should make decisions that support the company’s long-term success by considering the interests of employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and the company’s reputation. Taking a long-term approach promotes sustainable growth and strengthens the business over time.

3. Make Your Decisions

As a company director in the UK you need to make decisions that you think are best for the company.

You are a company director in the UK. You should do what you think is right. You can listen to what the shareholders and business partners have to say or you can talk to advisers. You should not just do what someone else says without thinking about it yourself.

When you use your judgment you can make decisions that are fair and responsible and that is what you should do when you are doing your job as a company director in the UK.

You are a company director, in the UK. You should make decisions based on your own judgment.

4. Be Careful, Skilled, and Responsible

Directors are expected to manage the company with reasonable care and attention. This means you should:

• Understand your business finances.
• Attend important meetings.
• Keep up with company performance.
• Stay informed about legal responsibilities.
• Ask for professional help when needed.

If directors fail to take reasonable care, they could face director liability, especially if their actions cause financial or legal problems.

Getting professional business legal advice can help you understand your responsibilities and avoid costly mistakes.

5. Avoid Conflicts of Interest

Directors must always act in the best interests of the company and avoid conflicts of interest. This includes not using company information for personal gain, awarding contracts unfairly, or accepting gifts that could influence business decisions. If a conflict cannot be avoided, it should be disclosed and managed according to the company’s procedures to ensure transparency and good corporate governance.

6. Make Sure Your Business Follows the Law

You need to make sure your business does what the law says.

This means your business has to follow all the rules and regulations. Following these requirements helps your company maintain strong corporate compliance and avoid unnecessary legal risks. 

As a director of your company you have to make sure your company does things. Your company needs to:

• File its accounts on time every year
• Send in confirmation statements
• Keep records of what your company does
• Pay the amount of taxes
• Follow the laws about employing people
• Make sure your company is a safe and healthy place to work
• Follow the laws about protecting peoples information

Even if someone else like your accountant helps you with these things you are still responsible, for making sure everything is done correctly as a director of your business.

Reference: Companies House ,Running a Limited Company

7. Handle Shareholder Relationships Fairly

Talking to shareholders in a way helps people trust each other and the business works better.

Shareholder relationships are very important for the business.

Good communication with shareholders helps build trust. Keeps the business running smoothly.

Sometimes people do not agree on things. These disagreements between shareholders might involve things like

• Business decisions that the company makes
• Dividend payments that shareholders get
• Director appointments and who becomes a director
• Share ownership and who owns what
• Company strategy and the plan for the company

When these disagreements happen the people in charge of the company should treat all shareholders fairly. Give them clear information whenever they can.

The people in charge should always try to be fair to all shareholders.Getting advice from a business lawyer can often help resolve shareholder disputes before they become expensive legal problems 

Shareholder relationships and agreements are very important. Should be handled carefully.

8. Understand Your Personal Responsibility

Although a company provides limited liability, directors can still be held personally responsible for breaching their legal duties, acting dishonestly, or allowing a company to trade wrongfully. Consequences may include fines, disqualification, or legal action. The Insolvency Service has the authority to investigate directors who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

Reference: The Insolvency Service – Company Director Disqualification

Why Good Corporate Governance Matters

Good corporate governance helps businesses build trust with customers, employees, investors, and shareholders. It supports better decision-making, improves transparency, reduces legal risks, and promotes long-term growth. The Financial Reporting Council states that strong corporate governance is essential for responsible and sustainable business success.

Reference:  UK Corporate Governance Code , Financial Reporting Coun

When Do You Need To Get Business Legal Advice?

Getting business legal advice when you start is a good idea. It can help you avoid losing a lot of money because of problems. If you are just starting a business or making agreements with the people who own shares in your company or if you are buying or selling a company or if you are having arguments, with someone and you need to resolve them. If you are trying to sell your products in new places you should really get a lawyer to help you. This will help you follow the rules of the Companies Act 2006. It will reduce the chances of you getting into legal trouble. Getting **business advice** is really important because it helps you do things the right way from the beginning.

Final Thoughts

Knowing what director responsibilities UK are is really important for a company to do well. Every director has things they have to do by law. These things are not just about running the company day to day.

If you understand what your director duties UK are and you follow the Companies Act 2006 and you do things in a way and you keep up with the rules then you can keep yourself and your company safe.

It does not matter if you are starting your company or if you have been doing this for a long time director responsibilities UK are still important. You need to know what you have to do. You have to be fair when there are problems with the people who own parts of your company and you have to get help from a lawyer when you need it. This way you can run your company. Feel good, about it and you will also be doing what you are supposed to do according to commercial law UK.

Expanding your business to a country is a really big step. This means you can sell things to people and get into bigger markets, which can help you make more money. But international business expansion is not about opening an office or selling things in another country. Every country has its set of rules and regulations.

They have taxes and employment laws and business requirements that you need to know about. If you do not understand these rules you can get. Fined or even sued which can really slow down the growth of your business.

When you are expanding a business internationally or when you are planning to expand to the UK or Europe,  you need to take care of the side of things. This is just as important as making a plan to sell or market your international business expansion. If you have a legal foundation you can avoid unnecessary risks and feel confident about growing your international business expansion across borders.

This guide will tell you, about twelve things to check before you enter an international business expansion market.

1. Learn About the Local Business Laws

Before you go into a market you need to research the countrys business rules. Every place has rules about starting a company getting licenses paying taxes and running a business.

If you understand the laws early on you can avoid making expensive mistakes and start your expansion on the right foot.

According to the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) initiative, understanding a country’s regulatory and business environment before entering a new market helps businesses reduce operational risks and make more informed investment decisions.

Reference: OECD – Product Market Regulation 

2. Choose the Right Business Structure

The way you set up your business will affect how tax you pay your responsibilities, what you have to report and how you run your business day to day. 

Depending on what you want to do you might choose to set up:

• A subsidiary
• A representative office
• A joint venture
• A local partnership

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your overseas business setup. 

3. Look at the Laws That Apply to Businesses That Work Across Borders

Every time you expand your business to another country you have to deal with laws that go beyond your countrys rules.

This is something that businesses must do when they work in countries.

Understanding cross-border business law before you expand rs helps businesses manage deals between countries rules about who owns what rules for investing in countries and how to resolve disputes when they happen.

Working with lawyers who know about business laws that apply across borders can help you follow the rules throughout the process of expanding your business to another country.

The European Commission advises businesses operating across borders to understand both EU legislation and national laws, as legal obligations may differ between Member States despite the EU Single Market.

Reference:
European Commission , Doing Business in the EU

Business laws that apply across borders are very important, for businesses that work in countries.

4. Make Sure You Follow the Regulations

Before you start operating in another country you need to make sure you are following all the regulations that apply to your industry.

This might include:

•  Business licenses
• Environmental rules
• Consumer protection laws
• Health and safety rules
• Anti-money laundering rules
• Data protection rules

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommends that businesses conduct due diligence to identify, prevent, and address legal, environmental, and operational risks before expanding into new markets. Following internationally recognized due diligence practices helps strengthen compliance and supports responsible business conduct.

Reference:
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct

Meeting these regulatory compliance obligations from the beginning reduces the risk of fines, legal action, or disruptions to your operations. 

5. Review Your International Contracts

International contracts are really important. What works in one country might not work in another country.

You need to look at your contracts very carefully before you sign them with suppliers or customers or business partners. Your international contracts should clearly say what you have to pay and when. They should also say which laws apply to your contracts and how you will resolve disputes. It is also important to know who owns the property and how you can end your contracts if you need to.

If you have contracts that are written down you can avoid getting confused about what you agreed on. You will also have protection if someone takes you to court over your contracts.

6. Protect Your Intellectual Property

When you do business in another country your brand and logo and products are not automatically safe.

You need to think about protecting your property before you start doing business in another country. This means registering your trademarks and patents and copyrights and domain names, in that country if you need to. If you protect your property early on you can stop someone from copying your ideas. This will help you stay ahead of your competition and protect your business.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) explains that intellectual property rights are territorial, meaning trademarks, patents, and other IP rights should be protected in each country where a business intends to operate.

Reference: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

7. Learn About the Employment Laws

If you plan to hire employees in another country you need to learn about the employment rules.

Employment laws can vary a lot from one country to another. Might cover things like:

• Employment contracts
•  Minimum wages
• Working hours
•  Employee benefits
• Leave entitlements
• How to end an employment contract

If you ignore the employment rules you might get into legal trouble or have to pay fines.

8. Review Your Tax Responsibilities

When you expand your business to another country you will have tax responsibilities.

You need to review:

• tax rates
• VAT or GST rules
• Double taxation agreements
• Withholding taxes
• Transfer pricing rules

If you understand your tax responsibilities before you enter a market you can avoid unexpected costs and follow the rules.

The OECD’s international tax standards provide guidance on transfer pricing, tax transparency, and cross-border taxation, helping multinational businesses comply with international tax obligations.

Reference: OECD , Tax

9. Maintain Corporate Compliance

As your business grows across borders it becomes more and more important to follow the rules.

This includes keeping corporate records filing annual reports maintaining the licenses you need and following the governance rules in each country where your business operates.

If you follow the rules you can also improve your reputation with investors, customers and regulators.

10. Learn About International Trade Law

If your business imports or exports goods you need to understand international trade law before you expand.

Trade rules might include customs procedures, import restrictions, product standards, tariffs and export controls.

If you understand these rules you can avoid delays, extra costs and compliance issues at borders.

11. Consider the Legal Requirements in the UK and Europe

Businesses expanding into the UK or Europe must understand local legal requirements, including data protection, employment, tax, competition, and consumer laws. For a successful UK business expansion it is also important to understand commercial law UK, as regulations differ from those in many EU countries.

Reference: UK Government , Set Up a Business

12. Work with Legal Professionals

Expanding your business to another country is not easy. Every country has its rules and these rules can change.

Working with lawyers and accountants and other people who know about the law can really help you. They can help you see problems before they get big. When you get advice from professionals you will feel better about the decisions you make for your business. Working with professionals, like lawyers can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

When you want to take your business to another country you need to think and know what the law says. Going into a market can be really exciting and a great way to grow but it also means you have to deal with new things that you cannot ignore.

You have to pick the kind of business and look over international contracts. You also have to follow the rules and do what international trade law says. Every single check is important to keep your business safe.

Whether you’re expanding a business internationally, planning a UK business expansion, or preparing for European business expansion, taking the time to complete these checks before you launch will put your business in a much stronger position. It can help you not take many risks not make expensive mistakes and build a strong base, for your business to do well for a long time. Expanding a business internationally is a deal so you have to be careful and do things right.

Acquiring an existing business is a way to get into a new market. If you want to enter markets or grow your business buying a company in Europe can be a really good idea. You will get to work with people use systems that are already in place and have a lot of resources to offer your clients.. When you are buying a company you might not think about some of the legal issues at first.

The value of a company can change a lot because of things like debts, legal problems or contracts that are not well written. Whether you’re buying a business in Europe, planning a cross-border acquisition, or buying a company in the UK, taking the time to carry out proper legal due diligence can save you a great deal of money and stress later on. This is called due diligence. It helps the people buying the company to find out about any problems before they sign the contract get better terms and make smart investment decisions.

According to the OECD, conducting thorough due diligence helps businesses identify, prevent, and mitigate legal and operational risks while supporting responsible investment decisions.

Reference: Due diligence for responsible business conduct | OECD

This guide is going to talk about why legal due diligence’s so important when you are acquiring a business in Europe. It is going to help you understand the importance of due diligence in acquiring a business in Europe and how it can help you with your business acquisition. Acquiring a business, in Europe can be a decision and doing your legal due diligence is a big part of that.

What is Legal Due Diligence?

Legal due diligence is the process of reviewing a company’s legal status before an acquisition. It includes examining corporate documents, contracts, employment matters, intellectual property, disputes, and regulatory compliance to identify potential legal risks before completing the purchase.

The European Commission states that strong company law and corporate governance frameworks help ensure transparency and protect investors during business acquisitions.

Reference: European Commission. Company Law and Corporate Governance. 

Why is Legal Due Diligence Important in Europe?

When you buy a business in Europe you have to deal with legal requirements, in each country. This is why it is really important to do your homework and check the situation of the business you want to buy. This process helps buyers find out about any problems make sure the business is doing everything it is supposed to do and make good decisions before everything is finalized.

In many mergers and acquisitions in Europe doing your homework also helps when you are negotiating with the party. It helps buyers get promises that certain things will be done change the price they are paying or make the sellers fix any issues before the deal is closed. Europes legal requirements are a part of this and buyers have to be careful when dealing with them in Europe.

What to Check During Legal Due Diligence

•  Review the Companys Corporate Structure

First you need to look at the companys structure. You have to make sure the business is properly registered and has the right to sell its shares or assets. Look at the documents that show the company is incorporated agreements between shareholders, registration certificates, decisions made by the board and records of who owns the company. This helps you confirm that the company is legally established and that there are no problems with who owns the company or any restrictions that could affect the deal.

• Examine Commercial Agreements

Commercial agreements are very important for a business. They can determine how stable and valuable the business is. Look at contracts with customers agreements with suppliers, licensing agreements, franchise contracts, distribution agreements and lease agreements. Pay attention to parts of these agreements that talk about changes in ownership ending contracts working only with one company and not working with other companies. If you are buying a company UK these agreements have to follow commercial law UKbecause the rules can be different from European countries.

• Assess Employment Matters

Employees are an important part of any business.. If you do not look at employment-related problems they can become very costly. Look at employment contracts agreements with executives, pension obligations, benefits for employees problems at work and agreements with unions. This makes sure the company follows employment laws and helps you find potential legal problems before you buy the company.

• Investigate Litigation and Disputes

Find out if the company is involved in any lawsuits, arbitration proceedings, disputes over property or investigations by the government. If you understand these issues early you can look at potential risks and negotiate safeguards before you complete the purchase.

Competition authorities may review certain mergers and acquisitions to ensure they do not reduce market competition or create unfair market dominance. 

Reference:European Commission , Merger Control

• Verify Regulatory Compliance

Make sure the company follows all the laws and rules including protecting data, competition law, consumer protection, health and safety standards and special licenses for the industry. If the company does not follow these rules it can result in fines or legal action after you buy the company.

The European Data Protection Board emphasizes that organizations processing personal data must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and non-compliance can result in substantial financial penalties.

Reference: European Data Protection Board (EDPB)

• Review Tax, Property and Investment Law Matters

Finally look at the companys tax and property matters. Look at tax disputes that are not resolved following VAT rules owning property, lease agreements and any legal obligations attached to assets. If the deal involves than one country you need to understand investment law This is because tax rules, rules for investments and legal responsibilities can be different from one country, to another. If you carefully look at these areas you can reduce the risk. Make the process of buying the company smoother.

Important Factors for International Acquisitions

When you buy a company in a country it is not just about finishing the deal. You have to think about the laws in that country the rules for paying taxes getting approval from the government laws about competition what you have to do for the employees and the rules, for getting licenses. It is an idea to work with people who know about international business law. They can help you figure out all the laws reduce the chance that you will do something wrong and make the process of buying the company go more smoothly. Working with these professionals can make a difference because they understand international business law and can give you the help you need.

A Business Purchase Checklist

Before you actually buy the business you need to check a lot of things. Here is what you should look at:

• The business registration and ownership documents for the business
• The shareholder agreements of the business
• All the business agreements the business has
• The employment contracts for the employees of the business
• Any records of issues the business has had
• Find out who owns the property the business is using
• Get all the documents for the property and leases of the business

Mistakes Buyers Often Make

A lot of buyers only pay attention to how money the business is making and they do not think about the legal problems that could happen. Even if the business has financial records these records do not show all the problems the business might have. Buyers often make mistakes like listening to what the seller tells them not checking who really owns the intellectual property not carefully looking at the terms of contracts ignoring what the business has to do for its employees and assuming the business is doing everything it is supposed to do.

Final Thoughts

The UK Government also recommends researching local legal, tax, and regulatory requirements before expanding into overseas markets or acquiring a foreign business. Reference: UK Government,Great Business

Buying a business in Europe is not about agreeing on a sale price. You need to understand the risks that come with the businessNo business is completely risk-free. That’s simply part of investing. The goal of corporate due diligence isn’t to find a perfect company. It’s to make sure there are no surprises waiting for you after the keys have changed hands.. When you buy a business in Europe you have to do your homework. This means you have to check who really owns the business look at all the agreements make sure the business is doing what it is supposed to be doing find out if there are any problems that could cost you money and work out a deal to protect yourself.

By doing all this you can stay out of trouble on and make sure you have a good legal basis for buying the business in Europe. Buying a business, in Europe is a deal so you have to get it right.