If you're planning to expand your business into foreign markets, you'll need to stay informed of international trade consultants news and trends. Compliance and tariff regulations are subject to frequent change and many times without sufficient notice to business owners. It has therefore become apparent to businesses dealing in foreign markets that they must work hand in hand with international trade consultants to make sound decisions. That joint effort requires business owners to stay informed of the latest developments affecting markets worldwide.

Though a profitable business venture, international trade also makes considerable demands upon business owners. Hand in hand with learning how to market your product abroad is the necessity of being aware of trends that may significantly affect your company's foreign trade. Learning about international trade consultants news and trends includes the following:

1. Access websites reporting on news that affects international trade consulting in the area of compliance.

2. Find international trade consulting services that inform you about events impacting tariff compliance.

3. Learn how foreign trade consulting firms keep track of market issues affecting the import and export of products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about compliance changes from a reliable trade consulting website

Your search for the latest news affecting foreign trade consulting should touch upon changes made in the area of customs compliance and security regulations.

I recommend: Industry news at the website for UNZ & Co keeps you informed of new industry and security regulations and changes in commodity jurisdiction. The UPS website provides updates on record keeping procedures and revisions made to customs compliance manuals. Trident Worldwide maintains a news and events page updated when necessary to report on events influencing international trade consulting.

Get updates on tariff compliance from an international business consulting firm

Tariffs and fees are subject to change. Since they affect the cost of your product or service, you'll need to stay informed of current tariff and fee schedules.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers maintains updated tariff information in easy to read question and answer format. Export.gov is a reliable source of news and trends affecting tariffs and import fees for American businesses. Check out Trade Info.net for updates on international trade codes and newly revised tariff schedules.

Discover how news impacts the markets that international business consulting firms deal with

Find out how market issues can impact the advice you'll get from your foreign trade consultant.

I recommend: Global Customs Compliance maintains a website that tracks market issues impacting many industry sectors. World Wise Consulting will keep you informed of news surrounding the Customs & Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program. N.C. Customs Consultants specializes in providing the latest news affecting importing and exporting products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Reputable international trade consultancy firms assist their clients with contract negotiations in foreign markets.

International trade consultants can help develop your answers to a growing global market. If your service or product meets marketplace demand in your home country, chances are you can modify your business plan and sell around the world.

Launching your business into a market leader in one country can be colossal. Addressing worldwide expansion can drain your resources if you try to go it alone. Work with international trade consultants with expertise and experience to ease the transition.

Geography doesn't bind opportunity. More and more businesses may find themselves going worldwide in order to succeed or even survive. The transition into a worldwide market contains differences in languages, culture, law and business practices. A foreign trade consultant with expertise in all of those areas can help you take your business to the next level. When choosing an international business consultant, it's important to ask the following:

1. Is hiring an international trade consulting service a cost-effective way to emerge into a worldwide network?

2. How will you determine if the international business consulting firms you consider are successful, experienced and connected globally?

3. How will trade consultants be able to respond to your individual needs?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about specific services of an international trade consulting firm

Creating international networks and managing the growth of your business remains the key to international success. International trade consultancy services provide numerous options that can be customized to uniquely fit into your plan.

I recommend: Find trade consultants that can improve what you have and ready it for a global presence. Ask what the consultancy firm can do specifically for you and your business. Pacific Northwest Advisors makes it simple with a bulleted, specific list. Or check out a categorized list from InterServe.

Check the international trade consultancy firm's client list

Don't know what the firm can do for you? The only way to find out is to see what they've done for others. Check out a list of their past clients or ask for a list of client references.

I recommend: Most international trading consultants will have a list of clients on their website, such as the one found at Stratos Services or an industry-specific list from Capital Trade Inc. If you can't find this type of information at a potential consulting firm's website, be sure to ask.

Request international trade consulting services, including research

The potential international trade consulting firm should be able to provide customized market research specific to your industry.

I recommend: See what kind of information will be included in the research and how it will be focused on your company and your specific product line. HCI International Marketing Consultants details all of the information and analysis you will receive. Find out what kind of research is available on individual markets to decide which market might be best for your expansion. Proactive International research focuses on key international markets including the Americas, Europe, Japan and other sectors.

Participate in international trade consultancy seminars

Arm yourself with knowledge so you can be engaged in the process of bringing your business into the global realm. International trade consulting services will offer the training you need.

I recommend: Take the Global Procurement Group's quiz to test your knowledge. MK Technology offers a variety of training options from in-house training and international conferences to instructional videos.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think outside the box before hiring international trade consultants. You shouldn't restrict your marketing to countries that already buy products similar to yours. By selecting a country that is close to saturation, you open yourself up to fierce competition. Instead, consider selecting export markets that need your product.

Making the most of international trade consultants will help your business branch out into new markets and ensure that you're fully compliant with customs regulations. The right foreign trade consultant will assist you finding international markets for your products. He will also assist you in complying with international laws regulating those markets. The right foreign trade consultant will know how to satisfy importation requirements so that you never have to pay fines or penalties on products and services you bring into a country.

More and more private sector businesses are relying upon trade consultancy to provide guidance, information and contacts that help them make informed decisions. Making the most of international trade consultants includes:

1. Finding out what requirements some states are imposing on the foreign trade consultants they use.

2. Considering international trade consulting to satisfy importation regulations.

3. Locating resources used by international trade consulting services to ensure your business remains fully compliant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read more about international trade consultants working with specific states

If you want to know how some state governments are relying upon the expertise of international trade consultants to promote state businesses in foreign markets.

I recommend: Go to the Department of Consumer and Business Services website to find out the requirements international trade consultants working on behalf of the Ohio state government must follow. The Department of Commerce for the state of Idaho relies upon international trade consultants to assist businesses market their products and services abroad. Learn more about international trade services that consultants to State of New Jersey businesses should provide.

Find international trade consultants to safely import products and services

Contact an international trade consultant who specializes in importing products and services so that you can safely avoid having to pay stiff fines and penalties that customs officials impose when importation policies are not adhered to.

I recommend: Based in Canada, Thompson Ahern & Company offers advice specific to importing products and services. UNZ & Co has been helping its clients avoid fines and penalties imposed on companies that violate Customs Regulations' importation policies. Import Export Coach is great for businesses new to the import business.

Know where to find standard sources of regulations relating to international trade consultants

You should become aware of standard trade documents used by American and Canadian governments as they supervise international trade.

I recommend: The UPS website provides access to permits, certificates, declarations and other official sources of international trade regulations. LimitLess International has been offering solutions to importation issues for its large client base since 2002. Trade Opus helps you understand what you should consider when retaining an international trade consultant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find a firm experienced with international trade consultancy by contacting your state's commerce or business development office.

Working with international trade consultants can open new territories for your business in other countries. However, before you begin a dialogue with a consultant, it's important to know some industry terms. This will enable you to understand the process and get a better idea of how the industry operates. For instance, many different regulatory agencies govern international trade in the United States. Educating yourself on this information as well as other terms will enable your company to choose the best international trade consultant that fits present needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Air, road, rail and sea regulations

Whether the mode of international trade transport be air, road, rail or sea, there are regulations that govern each method. The regulatory bodies also differ depending on the type of transport. Goods considered dangerous receive special consideration under these regulations.

I recommend: Review the information from the Business Gateway for more information on air, road, rail and sea regulations for international trade.

International tariffs and duties

The tariffs and duties are the cost of transporting goods from one country to another. These international trade costs will differ depending on the country, but there are general guidelines that will help you understand this aspect of international trade consultants' job requirements.

I recommend: Examine the international tariffs and duties primer from Supply Chain Management for more information.

Free on Board, FOB

Free on Board is the term of international shipping by which you designate the time, place and method of delivery and payment for shipped goods. Free on Board is more of legal term and will differ from one country to the next.

I recommend: Study the Free on Board tutorial available at Investopedia for further details.

Cost, Insurance and Freight or CIF

Cost, Insurance and Freight is a second legal international trade term that's an alternative to Free on Board for companies new to international business, or those with fewer shipments.

I recommend: Assess the comparison of the two terms and a definition of CIF at Speedy Cargo.

Customs & Trade Partnership Against Terrorism or C-TPAT

Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, tough new trade programs became more prevalent. One such program is the Customs & Trade Partnership Against Terrorism which is voluntary and seeks to increase the security of the border on the United States.

I recommend: Review the C-TPAT information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for further explanation of the program.