subject: Enter The World Of Exporting [print this page] Since the beginning, people had been engaged in the business of exporting. In truth, a lot that has happened in history involves, in one way or another, the export business - from discovering new lands to fighting wars to establishing business relations worldwide. The same excitement, adventure and financial rewards are being experienced today by the people who are involved in the export business as those explorers in ancient times.
Most people are under the impression that they need to make a huge investment to operate an export business, but don't be misled, study shows that a big percentage of export businesses are owned and operated by small companies.
Choosing which type of business you would like to export would be the initial step in setting up your export business. There are three major type of export businesses: Export Trading, Export Merchants, and Export Management Companies. In Export Trading, you target the specific products that are in demand in foreign and international markets and focus on finding these products to them. Once you have located the goods, it will be up to your company to export these goods to the buying company.
Export Merchants are another type of business which acquires goods then find foreign markets who will buy them. Dealing with a variety of goods and not just one specific market is the business of Export Merchants. They don't handle exports for other companies, and handles direct importing only.
Companies who need another party to handle the exporting aspect of their business seek the assistance of Export Management Companies. Envision a company who would like to penetrate the international market but has no experience in doing so. That's when the Export Management Company comes in - to handle that part of the operation for them. In essence, they are hired by the company and are paid through salary or commission of all successful dealings.
Get to know state, federal, and international laws before your enter the export business, there are specific laws that govern the international trade and foreign business and it will be in your best interest if you are familiar with them before you start your business. If you want to gather more material on how to start an export business, then go to your local small business administration.
