International Sales News - As Seen on TV Products

International news, issues, and trends for innovative consumer products in the direct response television industry (DRTV), as well as tips for export management & international product sales. This blog focuses on the As Seen on TV product category.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Exporting: Where to Start

The export process may seem very overwhelming and complicated to a first-timer. So, below are some first steps to take to ensure you are successful in your exporting.

  1. Learn how foreign markets operate and how your company will be able to adapt to the different environment. Research into the foreign target market is key. You need to be sure the market will be beneficial to your company because exporting is a large resource-consuming activity, taking lots of time and money.
  2. Develop and Commit to a business strategy. Every new business venture requires commitment especially in exports. Be sure to develop a comprehensive strategy and include all staff to the commitment.
  3. Meet with an accountant early. Because the export process requires financial resources it is important to talk with an accountant to determine your company's ability to finance expansion and help to build a budget strategy for the early stages.
  4. Get assistance and attend workshops. Their are many government agencies designed to aid business through this complicated process. When starting out it is a good idea to find an primary export adviser to work with and who can help direct you to other important sources you may need. Workshops are also a great way to attain the basic skills for exporting. It is also important to involve all the staff in these functions as it is a company-wide venture and everyone should be involved.
  5. Check out what other businesses are doing. Research your competition and see how they are handling the export process. Find out in what markets they are successful and where they are not. It is a good way to see what strategies have been effective for others and learn from them.

Below is a link to U.S. Government Export Portal where you can find many great resources to help expand your business internationally:
http://www.export.gov/Advocacy/early_project_dev.html


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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Why Export?

There are many reasons why a business should consider exporting. Especially in our era of ever increasing globalization there are many opportunities for businesses to expand and grow. By expanding operations outside of the domestic market a company can:

  1. Spread its risk and reduce dependency on the home market
  2. Increase productivity and efficiency
  3. Learn new management practices and marketing techniques.


All of the above benefits of exporting can increase the profitablilty of a company as well as allow them to become more competitive in their domestic market . It is a fact that companies that export have more growth opportunities, a more highly skilled staff, and are more flexible and possess a better ability to adapt to changes in technologies and business practices. Even small companies can become global brands by taking advantage of foreign markets.

Stay tuned because in coming blogs we will go through the various steps of the export processes.


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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

More Important Shipping Terms

Here are some more important shipping terms...

  • CPT (Carriage Paid To) - Seller pays the freight for the carriage of the goods to the named destination. The risk of loss of or damage to the goods, as well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the time the goods have been delivered to the carrier, is transferred from the seller to the buyer when the goods have been delivered into the custody of the carrier. If subsequent carriers are used for the carriage to the agreed upon destination, the risk passes when the goods have been delivered to the first carrier. The CPT term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.
  • CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To) - Seller has the same obligations as under CPT, but with the addition that the seller has to procure cargo insurance against the buyer's risk of loss of or damage to the goods during the carriage. The seller contracts for insurance and pays the insurance premium. The buyer should note that under the CIP term the seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum coverage. The CIP term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.
  • DAF (Delivered at Frontier) - Seller fulfill their obligation to deliver when the goods have been made available, cleared for export, at the named point and placed at the frontier, but before the customs Terms of Sale border of the adjoining country.
  • DDU (Delieverd Duty Unpaid) - Seller fulfills his obligation to deliver when the goods have been made available at the named place in the country of importation. The seller has to bear the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods thereto (excluding duties, taxes and other official charges payable upon importation) as well as the costs and risks of carrying out customs formalities. The buyer has to pay any additional costs and to bear any risks caused by failure to clear the goods for in time.
  • DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) - Seller fulfills his obligation to deliver when the goods have been made available at the named place in the country of importation. The seller has to bear the risks and costs, including duties, taxes and other charges of delivering the goods thereto, clear for importation. While the EXW term represents the minimum obligation for the seller, DDP represents the maximum.
  • DES (Delivered Ex Ship) - Seller fulfills his/her obligation to deliver when the goods have been made available to the buyer on board the ship, uncleared for import at the named port of destination. The seller has to bear all the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the named port destination.
  • DEQ (Delivered Ex Quay, [Duty Paid]) - When the goods have been available to the buyer on the quay (wharf) at the named port of destination, cleared for importation. The seller has to bear all risks and costs including duties, taxes and other charges of delivering the goods thereto.


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