Becoming a member | The Institute of Export and International Trade

IOE&IT membership application step-by-step guide

Read our step-by-step guide on how to complete your IOE&IT membership application. Here, you will find details on which documents (if any) you must submit when completing your application. We've also detailed the process after you have submitted your application and further support solutions.

Step 1: Register

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT), you will need to register your name and email address and verify your details to create an account to start your membership application journey.

*If you have previously attended one of our training courses or webinars, you may already have an account with us. Please either log in using the username and password you created when registering or click ‘login’ and reset your password to access your account.

Step 2: Confirm your membership choice

Select the membership type you wish to apply for from our professional membership, business membership or supplier membership packages.

If you are not sure which membership level is right for you, our ‘wizard’ can help. Simply answer a few questions (this will take no more than a couple of minutes) to determine which membership grade is suitable for you.

Step 3: Complete the application form

Once you are registered and your membership type has been selected, you will be required to submit an online membership application form. The application form will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

During the application, you will be asked to provide basic information about yourself and your organisation (if applicable). You may also be asked to provide supporting documents based on the membership grade you are applying for as part of the ratification process.

Find out more about the different membership grades the IOE&IT offers, the annual fee applicable and the ratification criteria.

Step 4: Payment

Once you have completed your application, you can pay online, register for direct debit, or request an invoice to make a payment for the membership fee applicable.

*Please note that if your application is unsuccessful or cancelled, you will be refunded the full amount within 3-5 working days. Read our full terms of business for more information.

What happens next

Once you have successfully submitted your application and paid the relevant membership fee, a member of our dedicated client services team will review your application accordingly to ensure it is complete and meets our ratification criteria.

We will contact you by telephone or email within two business days of completing your membership application if we require any additional information.

If you are applying for Full Membership or Fellow Membership, please red the 'reference check' sections below. For all other membership types, please read on from the 'approval and notification process' section below.

Reference Check

References are only required if you are applying for a Full Member MIEx or a Fellow Member FIEx.

The IOE&IT will carry out relevant reference checks to validate that you have the relevant years of experience in international trade to meet the qualification criteria for that membership level.

Full Membership references:

You will need to provide two professional references from individuals who have known you in a professional capacity for more than 5 years. They do not need to be members of IOE&IT. We will require the following information from your referees:

Full name
Email Address
Contact Telephone number

Fellow Membership references:

You will need to provide details of six referees who are Full Members of the IOE&IT or persons of significant importance in international trade. You must also be elected by a two-thirds majority of the IOE&IT Board.

If you are applying for Fellow Membership, please read the 'Interview' and 'Committee peer review' sections below.

Interview

This is only applicable if you are applying for a Fellow Member FIEx.

You may be required to participate in an interview with a representative of the IOE&IT. This interview can be conducted in person, over the phone or via video conference call.

Committee Peer Review

This is only applicable if you are applying for a Fellow Member FIEx.

Your application will be shared with the Trustee Board for final approval.

Approval Process & Notification

You will be notified via email by the client services team about the outcome of your application. This will be within two business days of receiving your application provided we have no outstanding queries and payment has been received.

Onboarding

A welcome email will be sent with instructions on accessing your exclusive IOE&IT membership benefits and resources.

We will book you in for a 30-minute membership demonstration via Microsoft Teams where we will:

Introduce you to the IOE&IT
Demonstrate how to use your membership web portal
Explain how to make the most of your membership
Answer any questions you might have about your membership

Ongoing Support & Engagement

We are committed to delivering ongoing support tailored to your specific trade aspirations, ensuring that your journey with us is both enriching and instrumental to your success in the global trade arena.

As a member, you will have access to a wealth of benefits, resources and tools designed to enhance your knowledge and expertise in import, export and international trade. You can expect to receive regular updates on global trade policies, market trends and trade opportunities, equipping you with valuable insights to trade effectively, sustainably and commercially.

By joining the IOE&IT, you will become an integral part of a wider international trade community, where you will have the opportunity to participate in our member-exclusive events, empowering you to expand your global business network and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.