About BAFTS
Why Join Bafts?
Becoming a member will strengthen public perception of your business and your values.
- Buyers can confidently shop at a BAFTS registered organisation, knowing that they are buying certified fair trade products.
- The amount of information and support you can gain from being in BAFTS is unbelievable- between its members there is a wealth of experience. From shop owners to online retailers to wholesalers, everyone has the same reason for being a member - to support fair trade.
- Being within a community such as BAFTS will really strengthen your presence within fair trade.
How To Join
Thank you for your interest in The British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers. To apply to BAFTS please read through the text on this page so you will then be able to start your application process by submitting some basic details (we'll explain more later).
The British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) is an association of retailers and importers who, although independent, unite in a core purpose which is to bring about fundamental changes in the status of working producers through Fair Trade retailing and campaigning.
Fair Trade shops are special in that they have an opportunity to promote social justice for the worker / producers of the products sold. By 'promoting social justice' BAFTS means that its members, and recognised importers, abide by principles that aim to achieve justice and dignity for everyone in society and work together to create an alternative model to conventional international trade; a model in which human rights and equality are at the top of our agenda.
BAFTS retailers need to be viable commercial businesses well stocked with products that customers want to buy. But the promotion of social justice is the foundation on which our members have built their businesses. Products are sold because they contribute towards that essential social objective.
Through solidarity and practical programmes of assistance, BAFTS seeks to strengthen a network of sales channels that are dedicated to its core purpose. It seeks to improve the quality and the quantity of such channels, so that they are better able to contribute towards the building of greater justice and equity in the world. The association and its members support campaigns that increase awareness and understanding of the needs of producer workers and of their rights.
BAFTS expects that before applying organisations will be able to provide some evidence of ‘sustainability’ which is a key component of fair trade. BAFTS members are its lifeblood and before your application can be approved we consult our retail members who are invited to comment on your appliation. In order to fully consider an application we therefore require a minimum of 12 months trading history, whether online, as a mobile retailer or in a "bricks and mortar" shop. Please feel free to contact us via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any further questions, want to request an application form, or to discuss your specific situation.
Categories and Fees
This page contains important information you should read before making your application. At the bottom of the page we explain how our application process works and there is a link to a form that will capture your basic details and allow you to start the application process. We look forward to receiving your application and, providing you fulfill all our criteria, welcoming you into the BAFTS family.
BAFTS categories and annual fees
You can apply to join BAFTS if you are a UK based business involved in the fair trade supply chain. We recognise that the shape of retail is continually changing and we are reviewing our structure to ensure we can accomodate the widest range of genuine fair trade organisations, however currently our 'constitution' recognises four 'well defined' types of organisation as summarised in the following table (Retailers and Importers can access more detailed criteria by clicking on the relevant links and we'll be adding similar information for the other two categories soon):
Overview of BAFTS Categories
| Do you sell to the general public (including businesses where the business is the end customer)? | Do you supply fair trade products to other organisations who will then sell them on? | |
| Do you buy at least 70% of your stock from recognised fair trade suppliers based in the UK? | You can apply to be a BAFTS retailer* | |
| Do you buy at least 70% of your stock direct from developing world producers? |
| You can apply to be a BAFTS importer* |
* Many importers also have a retail arm, if you want BAFTS recognition for both activities then you will need to apply for both categories. If (this is what normally happens) you are retailing products that you import then we need to process Your importer application first.
BAFTS fees for 2012 and 2013
| ANNUAL TURNOVER | Band | Retailer Member | ImporterMember | Direct Sourcing Retailer Member |
| Up to £25,000 | 1 | £55 | £50 | £80 |
| £25,001 to £50,000 | 2 | £60 | £85 | £95 |
| £50,001 to £100,000 | 3 | £100 | £110 | £150 |
| £100,001 to £150,000 | 4 | £150 | £160 | £200 |
| £150,001 to £200,000 | 5 | £200 | £235 | £335 |
| £200,001 to £400,000 | 6 | £325 | £365 | £455 |
| £400,001 to £600,000 | 7 | £400 | £500 | £600 |
| £600,001 to £800,000 | 8 | £550 | £865 | £900 |
| £800,001 to £999,999 | 9 | £650 | £965 | £1110 |
| Over £1,000,000 | 10 | £800 | £1,250 | £1300 |
| + Donation | + Donation | + Donation |
Additions: £10 for each additional retail outlet.
Deductions: 20% from Member fee for organisations that are BOTH members and importers 50% deduction from IMPORTER fee for organisations which are members of WFTO
Thank you for your patience, it is important to us that you understand our criteria before applying.
Clicking the link below this text will take you to the basic details form, please fill in your details then click the 'Submit' button on the form and you will then be taken to Paypal to pay the £25.00 non-refunable administration fee (using your paypal account or a credit / debit card). After making the payment you will be returned to this site where you can download the full application form. Please fill this in off-line and then email it to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you encounter any problems please email the same address for assistance.
Once we receive your completed form, your application will be passed to our existing members for consultation, they will be looking to see clear evidence that your business model aligns with BAFTS objectives and the ten principles of fair trade – see Fair Trade principles. It will take us approximately 2 months to process your application. If you need any further advice on how your organisation meets our criteria before applying then feel free to please contact either Joanna Pollard on 07913 548817 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
To continue with your application, please click this link and fill out the basic details form.