How to bid for tenders in other countries
Governments around the world buy from overseas suppliers every day. Winning that work is less about luck and more about doing three things early: checking you're allowed to bid, registering where the buyer needs you to, and planning for language and currency.
Before you start: five checks
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Can a UK business bid? | Larger contracts covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or a UK trade deal are usually open. Contracts set aside for local or small businesses are not. |
| Registration | Most countries need you registered before you can submit. Some registrations take weeks. |
| Language | Documents and answers may need to be in the buyer's language, and some need certified translations. |
| Currency and tax | Price in the tender's currency, and check VAT, sales tax and withholding tax with your accountant. |
| Local presence | Some buyers want a local office, agent or partner, or local insurance. A partner can make delivery easier too. |
Europe (TED)
Who can bid: UK suppliers can usually bid where the contract is covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Some smaller and utility contracts may be limited.
- Open the notice on TED and follow the link to the buyer's own e-procurement portal, where the documents are and where bids go.
- Register on that portal. It's free, and each country has its own (for example eTenders in Ireland or Doffin in Norway).
- Complete the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), the standard self-declaration most EU buyers ask for.
- Allow time for translation if the documents are in the buyer's language.
Worth knowing: Prices are usually in euros or local currency. Cross-border VAT rules differ from UK ones.
United States (SAM.gov)
Who can bid: Foreign firms can bid for many federal contracts, but a large share are set aside for US small businesses and are closed to overseas suppliers.
- Get an NCAGE code. Non-US businesses need one before registering. It's free.
- Register your business in SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity ID. It's free but can take several weeks.
- Read the notice's set-aside, place of performance and any Buy American terms.
- Submit exactly as the notice says, before the response time (US time zone).
Worth knowing: Registration is free: be wary of paid services offering to do it for you.
Canada (CanadaBuys)
Who can bid: UK suppliers can usually bid where the notice lists the UK–Canada trade agreement or the WTO GPA. Some tenders are limited to Canadian suppliers or need security clearance.
- Create a free CanadaBuys account.
- Check the trade agreements and any Canadian content or security requirements on the notice.
- Read the documents, which may be in English and French.
- Submit through CanadaBuys or as the notice says, before closing (Canadian time).
Worth knowing: Standing offers and supply arrangements work like UK frameworks: you join first, then receive call-offs. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
World Bank projects
Who can bid: Firms from World Bank member countries, including the UK, are eligible. The buyer is the borrowing country's project agency, not the World Bank itself.
- Use the contact and submission details in the procurement notice.
- Expect the World Bank's standard bidding documents and procurement rules.
- Plan for a bid security (a bank guarantee) on larger contracts.
- For a request for expressions of interest, send a short capability statement to get on the shortlist.
Worth knowing: Check that no partner is on the World Bank's debarred list. Local partners are common and often help.
World Bank procurement · Debarred firms
Brazil (PNCP)
Who can bid: International tenders are open to foreign companies. Many others are only open to companies set up in Brazil, so check the edital (the tender notice).
- We translate the title for you, but the documents and the bid are in Portuguese.
- Bids are usually made on the buyer's electronic platform, such as Compras.gov.br for federal buyers.
- Foreign firms normally need a legal representative in Brazil and registration such as SICAF.
- Official documents usually need certified translation and an apostille.
Worth knowing: Prices are in Brazilian reais. A Brazilian partner or agent makes bidding much easier.
How TendersNearMe helps
- One search, many countries. Tenders from Europe, the US, Canada, Brazil and World Bank projects sit alongside every UK tender.
- "How to bid" on every overseas tender, with the steps for that country.
- Bid packs for overseas tenders that cover who can bid, registration, language, currency and local requirements, as well as the usual questions and dates.
- Alerts and reminders for the countries you choose, and closing-date reminders for tenders you save.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and every tender is different, so always read the official notice and documents.
Questions
Can a UK business bid for tenders abroad?
Often, yes. The UK belongs to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and has trade deals with the EU, Canada and others that open many larger public contracts to UK suppliers. Smaller contracts, some sectors and anything set aside for local firms may be closed, so always check the notice.
Do I need to register before I can bid?
Usually. EU buyers use their own portals, the US needs SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity ID, Canada uses a CanadaBuys account, and Brazil normally needs SICAF registration and a local representative. Registration is free, but some take weeks, so start early.
Do I need to bid in the local language?
Often. Many European and all Brazilian tenders are in the local language. US, Canadian (English or French) and World Bank tenders are usually in English.
What currency do I price in?
The tender's own currency, unless the documents say otherwise: euros or local currency in Europe, US dollars, Canadian dollars, Brazilian reais, or as set out in World Bank documents.