move - the fastest growing biz in the world today. Get started now!
globalservicesworldwide.com
Shipping Company Ensures Smooth Sailing & Enhanced Customer Service
Microsoft.com/PeopleReadyBusiness
$4.95 per Trade, Market or Limit Top Discount Broker'07-SmartMoney
www.TradeKing.com
Select between 20% distribution tax saving and long-term deferral
www.exportDISC.com
International Freight Specialist Excellent Rates and Service
www.CssBrokers.com
International Credit Reports on companies in over 200 countries.
www.internationalcreditreports.com
Overseas Moving Household Goods & Personal Effects & Automobiles
www.arismoving.com
$30,000 in Free Gov Assistance. Get Your Free Kit Today!
Assistance.GrantKit.org
Gain global presence in expo, trade magazines & eMarketplace by HKTDC.
www.hktdc.com
Directory of American exporting companies listing 45,000 companies and 5,500 product categories.
www.aernet.com
Free resource providing guides, tips and new ideas to assist small businesses export successfully.
www.bizmove.com
teaching tool for 'new traders', people wishing to enter the business of international trade, and as a reference guide for companies already involved in import/export with foreign countries.
www.ccex.org
Information on business development, business recruitment, international trade, small business assistance and financial incentives in North Carolina.
www.commerce.state.nc.us
Electronic way to file the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) and the ocean manifest information directly to U.S. Customs. On these web pages you will find information on the history and future of AES, technical documentation, software vendors, ...
www.customs.ustreas.gov
Provides links to the Automated Export System (AES) Shippers' Export Declaration, export licenses, information on exporting a motor vehicle, uniformity issues of enforced compliance, export documents for business travel, drawback, international ...
www.customs.ustreas.gov
Assists Pennsylvania firms expand into international markets by providing relevant business development programs.
www.dced.state.pa.us
Information regarding foreign trade zones, port facilities, distribution channels and international business programs provided by the International Division.
www.decd.state.ms.us
Makes companies aware of international opportunities and assists them to secure new business.
www.ecodev.state.mo.us
How to export guide providing information on border issues, shipping, documentation and other logistics.
www.edd.state.nm.us
Membership-based service providing market research, industry analysis, trade show listings and business protocol information.
www.exporthotline.com
JEA offers certified exporters technical assistance, training, export market information and export facilitation.
www.exportjamaica.org
Information help center dedicated to the development of US exports to the world.
www.exportzone.com
Exporting assistance and importing information.
www.georgia.org
State agency that counsels companies on export procedures, international marketing, banking and financing.
www.growingnd.com
Works primarily with small to medium sized companies who are not in a position to support their own international sales or procurement departments.
www.hanoverbrazil.com
Business-to-business resources including trade directories to 165,000 import buyers and how to information.
www.importexporthelp.com
International body that certifies the proficiency of import-export trade professionals worldwide.
www.intlimport-export.com
Resource for information on all US Federal Government export assistance programs.
www.ita.doc.gov
Works with existing businesses to expand their international marketing efforts, as well as foster international manufacturing investments in the state.
international.neded.org
Index of guides and publications to the export process for new and experienced exporters. Publications offered through the US Small Business Administration, Office of International Trade.
www.sbaonline.sba.gov
SBA international trade guide and information tool to assist American business develop international markets.
www.sbaonline.sba.gov
Provides information on international events, export finance, regulations and trading partners.
www.sbaonline.sba.gov
Automatic system of commercial operations for import-export and online payment systems with more than 17 million companies and classified users in 245 countries.
www.scinet-corp.com
SITPRO is the UK's trade facilitation agency, dealing with procedures and documentation, and helping businesses trade more effectively and simplifying the international trading process.
www.sitpro.org.uk
Agency responsible for assisting Colorado companies with all aspects of exporting, including counseling, protocol, leading trade missions, and conducting trade shows abroad.
www.state.co.us
International division providing information on export initiatives, international links and contact information for foreign trade representatives.
www.state.ct.us
Through international trade missions, trade shows, seminars and inbound buyer missions, the Office of International Business gives Texas companies the opportunity to promote their products and services to international buyers and partners.
www.tded.state.tx.us
Provides information to assist Thai exporters with all aspects of their export function.
www.thailandexport.com
International trade organization with information on international trade in Washington State including trade statistics, the Import/Export Guide and contact lists for public ports and foreign trade zones.
www.trade.wa.gov
Advice and information from government sources aimed to assist UK companies trade internationally.
www.tradepartners.gov.uk
An international trading service that assists US companies in expanding and establishing manufacturing operations in Asia.
www.tradesia.com
The U.S. Commercial Service is a network of 1,700 trade professionals, across the United States and in more than 70 countries, helping you to reach your international business goals.
www.usatrade.gov
Assisting small and mid-sized companies trade around the world directly with overseas customers.
www.vendolink.com
move - the fastest growing biz in the world today. Get started now!
globalservicesworldwide.com
Shipping Company Ensures Smooth Sailing & Enhanced Customer Service
Microsoft.com/PeopleReadyBusiness
$4.95 per Trade, Market or Limit Top Discount Broker'07-SmartMoney
www.TradeKing.com
Guide to Getting Started in Exporting
Find out of you have what it takes to go global with your small businessYou can be the source for buyers big and small abroad — if your company is ready for the risks and pressures of making the deals and moving the products.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Take a quiz — seriously
There are a lot of initial questions to ask, and the U.S. government is here to help.
I recommend:
Export.gov has an excellent readiness assessment that rates your company based on just nine questions. Once you know where you stand, move on to the detailed guide to exporting basics by Unz & Co.
Work with resellers
Even large, established companies with resources use in-country resellers, often called a channel, to build a presence first. You'll make less, but with less cost, too. Some never shed their channel partners.
I recommend:
The U.S. Department of Commerce operates BuyUSA.gov, a site dedicated to matching U.S. exporters to foreign buyers and distributors. Check the U.S. Commercial Service Web site for a list of contacts by embassy abroad; it's their job to connect you with the right people in each country.
Discover customs for beginners
A small slice of U.S. exports, like defense technology, is subject to regulation. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to get an export license in advance.
I recommend:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the clear starting point. The Bureau of Industry and Security maintains a list of which federal agencies regulate what exports, with contact telephones.
Line up your financing
Unless you are sitting on a pile of cash, be prepared for more than the usual 90-days net from your business partners abroad. Often, it's better to spread the risk and protect your own cash-flow.
I recommend:
Many local lenders will buy your receivables, and the U.S. Department of Commerce can find you a good source of such funding through its export finance matchmaker program. See the National Export Directory for a list publicly-funded state and federal agencies, for instance the Small Business Administration, that back export deals.
Find and negotiate shipping services
Depending on where you live and what you will be exporting, the company with which you will be dealing can vary.
I recommend:
SimpleShip, Freightquote, and Freight Dynamics offer shipping quote services online, wile uShip matches shippers to carriers with space. Fairplay publishes has an extensive online shippers directory with address and phone contacts.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide- You will end up selling the most in a country where people have money to spend. Beware exporting to places with notoriously unstable economies; a rapidly changing currency can quickly make your product ludicrously expensive in local terms.
- Take a trip before you jump into a relationship with a local buyer. Meet his or her customers. Exporting can be a lot of trouble, so the opportunity should be lucrative and blindingly obvious.
- One way to sell in a country is by striking deals with units abroad of U.S. firms. Wal-Mart, for instance, is quickly growing in foreign lands.
- Big companies generally don't consider exporting until they have exhausted their local market. Even then, they often fail — distributors are unprepared, or customs is too complex. Your expansion plan might be better off looking inward for a few more years.
