Import / Export For Dummies®

I echo what most of the other reviewers have said, that this is an excellent, comprehensive and clear guide to starting and running an import/export business. The definitions, both in the text and in the glossary, help a beginner make sense of the often confusing jargon. The examples are just complex enough to be useful, no more. The organization is logical. I will challenge the reviewers who fault this book for being too basic. Despite the "for Dummies" label, this book can bring you the entire way from beginner to expert. It starts from the beginning, teaches you the basics, tells you what else you need to know, and where to go to get it. You don't need a book that lists all information anyone in Import/Export would ever want, and if you had one it would be out of date immediately. This book is written for the do-it-yourselfer who knows something about some product or market and wants to understand the entire Import/Export process. It does not assume you work for a company with specialists, or that you're going to subcontract out much of the work. It does not assume you have any experience seeing this done. To the extent you do have some knowledge, this book will show you how to leverage that in your business attempt. Import/Export for DUMmIES 1 About the Author 3 Dedication 4 Author’s Acknowledgments 4 Table of Contents 8 Introduction 16 About This Book 16 Conventions Used in This Book 16 What You’re Not to Read 17 Foolish Assumptions 17 How This Book Is Organized 18 Icons Used in This Book 20 Where to Go from Here 20 Part I Breaking into the Import/Export Business 22 Chapter 1 Introducing Import/Export 24 Defining the Import/Export Business 24 Environmental Forces That Make International Business Different 27 Chapter 2 Figuring Out Your Role in the Import/Export Business 34 The Benefits of Import/Export 35 Determining Your Place in the Food Chain: Import, Export, or Both? 41 Deciding Whether to Become a Distributor or an Agent 42 Analyzing Start-Up Costs 47 Pondering Profit Potential 48 Chapter 3 Rules and Regulations to Consider before You Get Started 50 If You’re Exporting 51 If You’re Importing 57 Chapter 4 Organizing for Import and Export Operations 64 Selecting a Company Name 64 Choosing a Form of Organization 66 Setting Up Your Business 75 Opting for a Web Site 78 Part II Selecting Products and Suppliers 82 Chapter 5 Selecting the Right Products 84 Choosing Whether to Be a Generalist or a Specialist 84 Introducing the Three E’s of Product Selection 85 Assessing a Product’s Potential 87 Chapter 6 Connecting with Overseas Suppliers for Your Imports 90 Identifying Countries That Have What You Need 90 Finding Overseas Suppliers 92 Requesting Product Samples 100 Hammering Out an Agreement with Your Overseas Supplier 100 Chapter 7 Finding U.S. Suppliers for Your Exports 104 Researching Potential Suppliers 104 Building a Relationship with Your Supplier 109 Dealing with Rejection 109 Drafting an International Sales Agreement 110 Part III Identifying Your Target Market and Finding Customers 112 Chapter 8 Looking at Marketing 114 What Is the Market? 114 What Is Marketing? 116 Identifying Your Target Market 117 Developing Product Strategies 124 Pricing Your Products 128 Promoting Your Product 131 Distributing Your Product 133 Chapter 9 Researching Export Markets 136 A Step-by-Step Approach to Export Market Research 136 Online Research Sources 142 Chapter 10 Researching Import Markets 146 Identifying the Characteristics of Potential Buyers 147 Researching Your Competitors 148 Researching at Trade Shows and Merchandise Marts 151 Chapter 11 Making Export Contacts and Finding Customers 156 Department of Commerce Business Contact Programs 156 Department of Commerce Trade Event Programs 162 The Export Yellow Pages 165 Business Information Services for the Newly Independent States 166 Small Business Administration– Trade Mission Online 166 State and Local Government Assistance 166 Chapter 12 Locating Customers for Your Imports 168 Industry Distributor Directories 168 Salesman’s and Chain Store Guides Directories 171 Manufacturer’s Agents National Association 174 How It Works 175 Part IV Completing the Transaction: International Trade Procedures and Regulations 178 Chapter 13 Making the Sale: Pricing, Quotes, and Shipping Terms 180 Pricing Your Exports 181 Setting the Terms of Sale 184 Filling Out the Paperwork: Quotations and Pro Forma Invoices 186 Chapter 14 Methods of Payment 188 Looking at the Main Forms of Payment and Analyzing Their Risks 189 Factoring in Foreign Currency Risks Due to Fluctuations 207 Noting Non-Cash Methods of Payment 207 Chapter 15 Packing and Shipping — with the Right Documentation 210 Recognizing the Benefits of a Freight Forwarder 210 Packing and Labeling Your Shipment 212 Covering Your Assets with Cargo Insurance 214 Nailing Down the Documentation 214 Chapter 16 Getting Your Goods: Customs Requirements and the Entry Process 226 Understanding U. S. Import Requirements 226 Providing Evidence of Right to Make Entry 227 Working with a Customs Broker 230 Looking at the Documents Required to Enter Goods into the United States 231 Deciphering the Different Types of Entry 233 They’re Here! The Arrival of Your Goods 237 Open Wide: U. S. Customs Examination of Goods 237 Considering Country-of-Origin Markings 244 Packing and Commingling: Making Sure Your Exporter Follows the Rules 245 Identifying Import Quotas 246 Being Aware of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties 246 Part V The Part of Tens 248 Chapter 17 Ten Keys to Becoming a Successful Importer 250 Familiarizing Yourself with Import Control and Regulatory Requirements 250 Knowing How to Classify Your Products for Tariffs 251 Checking to See Whether You Qualify for Preferential Duty Programs 251 Researching Quota Requirements 252 Checking the Reputation of Your Foreign Seller 252 Understanding INCOTERMS 253 Analyzing Your Insurance Coverage 253 Knowing What’s in the Purchase Contract 253 Hiring a Customs Broker 254 Staying on Top of Recordkeeping 254 Chapter 18 Ten Keys to Becoming a Successful Exporter 256 Identifying Your Market 256 Assessing Product Potential 257 Familiarizing Yourself with Export Controls and Licensing Requirements 258 Investigating Import Controls 258 Understanding U. S. Export Laws 258 Making Sense of INCOTERMS 259 Making Sure You Have the Right Insurance Coverage 259 Focusing on Foreign Market Risk and Methods of Payments 259 Keeping Track of Documentation 260 Hiring a Freight Forwarder 260 Part VI Appendixes 262 Appendix A Glossary 264 Appendix B Resources 276 Government Assistance Programs 276 International Trade Commission Offices 278 U.S. Customs Regions and Districts 302 Currency Index 304 Appendix C Distributor and Agency Agreement Outlines 310 International Distributor Agreement Outline 310 International Agency Agreement Outline 322 Index 334

your Port Of Entry For Setting Up And Managing Your Import/export Business

looking To Conquer The Exciting World Of International Trade? This Practical Guide Covers The Ins And Outs Of Developing Or Expanding Your Global Operations, Showing You How To Identify Target Markets, Find Customers, Follow The Rules And Regulations, And Much More. Plus Get, Full Contact Info For International Trade Offices For Dozens Of Countries.

john J. Capela Is An International Business Consultant Who Has Taught Marketing, Management, And Other Business Courses For More Than 20 Years. He Also Conducts Import/export Seminars Throughout The New York Metropolitan Area.

discover How To:

evaluate Import/export Opportunities

select Products And Suppliers

develop A Marketing Strategy

complete Licensing And Shipping Documents

negotiate Prices And Arrange Payments

A clear, easy-to-understand primer on the exciting world of import/export The United States imports $1.2 trillion and exports $772 billion in goods on an annual basis. Import/Export For Dummies provides entrepreneurs and small- to medium-size businesses with the critical information they need to begin exporting their products around the world and importing goods to sell in America. This practical guide covers the ins and outs of developing or expanding operations to capture a share of this growing market, with details on the top ten countries with which America trades, from Canada to Germany to China. Discusses how to ship goods through customs in the top ten countries with which the U.S. trades, including Canada, Germany, and China, covering how to expand global operations, identify target markets, follow regulations, find customers, and more, with contact information for dozens of international trade offices