TAKE YOUR BUSINESS GLOBAL

International Trade

Why Should You Export?

Expanding World Markets

• Nearly 96 percent of consumers live outside the U.S.• Over two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power

resides outside the U.S.• There is a significant opportunity for companies to

increase sales by exporting• Made in the USA still a powerful message

Exporting Myths

• Getting paid is cumbersome• Exporting is too risky and complicated• My business is too small to go global

Exporting Advantages

• Increase sales and profit• Lower costs for transportation and communications• Stabilize seasonal market/sales fluctuations• Diversify sources of customers and revenue

Federal Government Exporting Assistance

• Global access to business opportunities• Trade expertise to succeed in markets around the

world• Export training and education resources online or in-

class for beginner or advanced exporters

Are You Ready to Export?

• Is exporting consistent with your company vision?• Are your products and services successful

domestically?• Why will they be successful in international markets?• Do you have the commitment, persistence and

resources to support exporting?

Take a Free Export Readiness Self-Assessment to Get Started

• Complete online questionnaire at www.export.gov/begin

• Receive feedback to assess export readiness• Take online training courses to get you started• Contact local export professionals for continued

development

Create an Export Business Plan

• Define your company’s present status, internal goals & commitment

• Assemble facts• Define constraints• Identify specific goals and objectives

Conduct Market Research

• Use market research to identify foreign market product potential

• Learn about common business practices• Market Research Library—U.S. government

information on foreign opportunities• Trade Stats Express—U.S. government information

to identify target markets

Find Foreign Buyers

• Look for export events matching U.S. sellers with foreign buyers

• Meet foreign buyers at U.s. trade shows• Sign up for a foreign trade mission or attend a foreign

trade shows• Investigate the Gold Key Matching Service, a fee-

based customized buyer-finding solution offered by the U.S. Commercial Service

Legal Considerations

• Copyrights• Trademarks • Patents• Protecting small business rights

How To Finance Your Sales

Methods of International Payments

• Cash in advance• Letters of credit• Open account

Cash in Advance

• Ideal for exporter but may not be competitive– Wire transfer is best approach– Checks should not be used for international

transactions

• Credit Cards– Many exporters accept credit cards– Beware – increase in fraudulent uses and stolen cards

Letters of Credit

• Payment made after verification of all documents and terms are satisfied

• Sales terms/contracts are basis for letter of credit• Requires knowledge of the process to prevent errors

Open Account

• Convenient and competitive method of payment for well-established buyer with good credit

• Lack of documents and banking channels may make it difficult to pursue legal enforcement of claims

• Best combined with export credit risk insurance

International Finance

• Government programs to finance export transactions and capital to undertake export operations

• Working capital loans for American exporters and financing for foreign buyers

Private Sources of Financing

• Commercial banks• Private export finance companies• Export management and export trading companies• Factoring houses

Insurance and Risk Mitigation Policies

• Export transactions and for overseas investments. • Coverage includes losses for non-payment, currency

inconvertibility, asset expropriation and other political risks.

Grants for U.S. firms

• conduct feasibility studies on infrastructure projects• train the foreign business community and government

officials on U.S. business practices, regulatory reform and other economic development activities

Need More Answers?

• Export.gov—provides government online resources and links to local assistance

• United States Export Assistance Centers—located throughout the U.S., provides information for all federal export promotion and finance programs

• Look for export training programs offered in your area