7 Steps to Export Your Product to Other Countries

If you have a product that you want to sell in other markets, you might be wondering how to export it successfully. Exporting can be a great way to expand your customer base, increase your sales, and diversify your income. However, exporting also involves some challenges, such as finding buyers, complying with regulations, and shipping your product safely and efficiently. In this article, we will guide you through the process of exporting your product to other countries in seven steps.

Step 1: Research Your Market

Before you start exporting, you need to do some market research to identify the best countries for your product. You can use online tools such as Access2Markets or Trade.gov to find information on market size, demand, competition, tariffs, regulations, and cultural preferences for your product. You can also contact trade associations, chambers of commerce, or export promotion agencies in your target countries for more insights and contacts.

Step 2: Find Buyers

Once you have selected a market, you need to find potential buyers for your product. You can use various methods to find buyers, such as:

Online platforms: You can use e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, or social media to showcase your product and reach customers directly. This can be a low-cost and convenient way to export, especially for small businesses or niche products.

Trade shows: You can participate in trade shows or exhibitions in your target market or region to display your product and network with buyers, distributors, agents, or wholesalers. You can find trade show opportunities on websites such as Export.gov or Trade Fair Dates .

Trade missions: You can join trade missions organized by government agencies, trade associations, or chambers of commerce to visit your target market and meet with potential buyers or partners. Trade missions can help you gain market insights, establish relationships, and generate leads.

Referrals: You can ask your existing customers, suppliers, or contacts for referrals or introductions to buyers in other markets. Referrals can help you build trust and credibility with new customers.

Step 3: Negotiate Your Contract

After you have found a buyer, you need to negotiate the terms and conditions of your contract. This includes the price, quantity, quality, delivery time, payment method, warranty, and dispute resolution mechanism of your export transaction. You should also specify the Incoterms that define the responsibilities and risks of each party regarding the transportation and delivery of the goods. You should consult a lawyer or an export consultant to ensure that your contract is legally binding and compliant with the laws of both countries.

Step 4: Obtain an Export License

Depending on the type of product you are exporting and the destination country, you may need an export license or other authorization from the U.S. government or the foreign government. An export license is a document that grants you permission to export certain goods or technologies that are subject to export controls for reasons of national security, foreign policy, or trade protection. You can check if your product requires an export license using the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) or the Consolidated Screening List (CSL) that lists persons or entities that are restricted from receiving U.S. exports. You can also contact the U.S. Commercial Service or the BIS for assistance.

Step 5: Arrange Your Shipping

Once you have obtained an export license (if required), you need to arrange the shipping of your product to your buyer. This involves:

Packing your product securely and labeling it clearly with the required information such as the country of origin, destination address, weight, dimensions, and handling instructions.
Preparing the necessary export documentation such as the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, insurance certificate, and any other documents required by the destination country or your buyer.
Choosing a reliable freight forwarder or carrier that can handle the transportation and delivery of your product according to the Incoterms agreed upon with your buyer. You should compare different options based on their cost, speed, reliability, and customer service.
Tracking your shipment and communicating with your buyer about its status and arrival.

Step 6: Receive Your Payment

After you have shipped your product, you need to receive your payment from your buyer. There are different methods of payment that you can use for exporting, such as:

Cash in advance: This is when your buyer pays you before you ship the product. This is the safest method for you as an exporter but it may not be attractive for your buyer as it involves high risk and low cash flow for them.

Letter of credit: This is when your buyer’s bank issues a letter of credit to your bank that guarantees the payment upon the presentation of the required documents. This is a secure and widely used method for exporting but it involves high fees and complex procedures for both parties.

Documentary collection: This is when your bank collects the payment from your buyer’s bank upon the delivery of the product and the presentation of the required documents. This is a less expensive and simpler method than a letter of credit but it offers less security for both parties.

Open account: This is when your buyer pays you after you ship the product, usually within 30 to 90 days. This is the most convenient and common method for exporting but it involves high risk for you as an exporter as you have no guarantee of payment.

You should choose the payment method that best suits your needs and preferences, as well as your buyer’s. You should also consider using export credit insurance or export financing to protect yourself from non-payment or cash flow problems.

Step 7: Provide After-Sales Service

The last step of exporting your product is to provide after-sales service to your buyer. This includes:

Following up with your buyer to ensure that they are satisfied with your product and that it meets their expectations and requirements.
Providing technical support, maintenance, warranty, or repair services if needed or agreed upon in your contract.
Soliciting feedback, testimonials, or referrals from your buyer to improve your product, service, or relationship.
Maintaining regular contact with your buyer and offering them new products, discounts, or incentives to encourage repeat purchases or loyalty.

By providing after-sales service, you can enhance your reputation, customer satisfaction, and retention, as well as generate more sales and profits.

Exporting your product to other countries can be a rewarding and profitable venture if you follow the right steps and strategies. By doing market research, finding buyers, negotiating contracts, obtaining licenses, arranging shipping, receiving payments, and providing after-sales service, you can successfully export your product and grow your business internationally.

How to Export Your Product to Other Countries

If you have a product that you want to sell internationally, you might be wondering how to find buyers, comply with export regulations, and ship your goods efficiently. Exporting can be a great way to expand your market, increase your sales, and diversify your income. However, it also requires careful planning, research, and preparation. Here are some steps to help you get started with exporting your product to other countries.

Step 1: Assess your export readiness

Before you start looking for buyers, you need to make sure that your product is suitable for export and that you have the capacity and resources to handle the export process. You can use the Export Readiness Assessment Tool from the International Trade Administration (ITA) to evaluate your export potential and identify areas for improvement. Some of the factors that you should consider are:

The demand for your product in foreign markets
The competition and pricing of similar products
The legal and regulatory requirements for exporting your product
The costs and risks involved in exporting your product
The logistics and distribution channels for delivering your product
The marketing and promotion strategies for reaching foreign customers
The financial and human resources available for exporting

Step 2: Develop an export plan

An export plan is a document that outlines your objectives, strategies, and actions for exporting your product. It helps you organize your information, set realistic goals, and measure your progress. An export plan should include:

A market analysis of the countries or regions that you want to target
A product analysis of the features, benefits, and adaptations of your product for foreign markets
A pricing strategy that considers the costs, margins, and currency fluctuations of exporting
A distribution strategy that identifies the best channels and partners for delivering your product
A marketing strategy that defines your target audience, value proposition, and promotional activities
A financial plan that estimates your revenues, expenses, and cash flow from exporting
A risk management plan that identifies the potential challenges and solutions for exporting

You can use the My Export Plan tool from ITA to create a customized export plan based on your industry and product.

Step 3: Find buyers for your product

Once you have a clear idea of where and how you want to export your product, you need to find potential buyers who are interested in purchasing it. There are different ways to find buyers, such as:

Using online platforms or directories that connect exporters and importers
Participating in trade shows or missions that showcase your product to foreign buyers
Contacting trade associations or chambers of commerce that represent your industry or market
Hiring agents or distributors who can represent your product and handle the sales transactions
Networking with existing customers or contacts who can refer you to new buyers

You can use the Find Buyers tool from ITA to access various resources and services that can help you find buyers for your product.

Step 4: Comply with export regulations

Exporting your product to other countries may require you to obtain certain licenses, permits, or certifications from the U.S. government or foreign authorities. You also need to follow the rules and procedures for declaring, labeling, packing, and shipping your product. Some of the export regulations that you should be aware of are:

The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that govern the export and re-export of some commodities, software, and technology
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that control the export and re-export of defense articles and services
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that administers and enforces economic sanctions against certain countries, entities, or individuals
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that enforces the laws and regulations for importing and exporting goods
The foreign trade regulations of the countries or regions that you are exporting to

You can use the U.S. Export Regulations tool from ITA to learn more about the export regulations that apply to your product.

Step 5: Ship your product

Shipping your product to other countries involves choosing a reliable carrier, preparing the necessary documentation, arranging the insurance coverage, and paying the duties and taxes. Some of the steps that you should take when shipping your product are:

Selecting a mode of transportation (air, sea, land) that suits your product type, volume, weight, destination, and delivery time
Negotiating a contract with a freight forwarder who can handle the logistics and paperwork of shipping your product
Preparing an invoice that describes the quantity, value, origin, destination, and terms of sale of your product
Preparing a packing list that details the contents, dimensions, weight, and markings of each package
Preparing a certificate of origin that certifies the country where your product was made or processed
Preparing a bill of lading or air waybill that serves as a receipt, contract, and document of title for your product
Preparing any other documents that may be required by the U.S. or foreign authorities, such as export licenses, permits, certificates, or declarations
Obtaining an insurance policy that covers the loss or damage of your product during transit
Paying the applicable duties and taxes that are levied by the U.S. or foreign customs

You can use the Ship Your Product tool from ITA to access various resources and services that can help you ship your product.

Step 6: Promote your product

Promoting your product to foreign customers is an essential part of exporting. You need to communicate the value and benefits of your product, differentiate it from the competition, and build trust and loyalty with your buyers. Some of the ways to promote your product are:

Creating a website or online store that showcases your product and allows customers to place orders
Using social media or email marketing to engage with your customers and share updates, testimonials, or offers
Creating brochures, flyers, catalogs, or videos that highlight the features and advantages of your product
Participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, or webinars that allow you to demonstrate your product and network with buyers
Seeking endorsements, reviews, or referrals from satisfied customers or influencers who can vouch for your product
Offering discounts, samples, or free trials to attract new customers or retain existing ones

You can use the Promote Your Product tool from ITA to access various resources and services that can help you promote your product.

References:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2001-05-22/pdf/01-13115.pdf

https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/TECO2_OECD_webdoc2020.pdf

https://www.trade.gov/learn-how-export

https://www.trade.gov/us-export-regulations

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-start-an-imports-exports-businesshttps://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/guide-export-goods
https://www.trade.gov/learn-how-export
https://www.trade.gov/us-export-regulations
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/how-to-start-an-imports-exports-business
https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/guide-export-goods