A Basic Guide to Exporting is the US Department of Commerce's respected introduction to exporting. It is designed to help US firms learn the costs and risks associated with exporting and develop a strategy for success. The Guide discusses what decisions need to be made and where to get the knowledge to make them. It also directs the reader to sources of assistance throughout the US federal and state governments, as well as the private sector. The 16 chapters of the Guide are divided into three sections, covering before the sale, making the sale, and after the sale issues. The Guide also includes five appendices on export terms, US federal export assistance, US state and local assistance, US and overseas contacts in major foreign markets, and a selected bibliography.
A database of international trade leads from the U.S. and other governmental agencies available for a fee.
World Bank site that provides detailed information on the time, costs, and procedures required for trading and doing business in 175 countries".
Canadian government site that offers an overview of the international trade challenges posed by operating an electronic business in the global marketplace through all stages of an international transaction.
US Department of Commerce ITA s Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce (OTEC) in Manufacturing and Services recently launched an innovative web site that advises firms about how to use the Internet to export.
Video course for starting and expanding an export business.
Website where questions can be asked about exporting.
Australian government website that offers links to guides for developing an export plan.
Free and convenient export webinars for business professionals regardless of their location, resources or schedule. Topics range from "Exporting 101" to more advanced topics such as trade finance, INCOTERMS and a three part webinar about focusing a website for export sales. Visitors can register for free and view any export training seminar of interest.
Site created and maintained by students at the University of Washington Business School has practical information for small and medium-sized businesses. There are articles and tips for getting started, links to research information on industries and countries, reviews and links to trade-oriented Web sites, and "how-to" information.
Flowchart of the export process.
Articles about starting and running an export business
Articles about starting up in international trade.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about exporting.
Course that shows how to set up a strategy to export.
Article about calculating landed costs for imports from Asia to the US and the EU.
Information and advice on how to start a business by importing from China.
Advice for starting and running import and export businesses.
Comprehensive resources developed by the Canadian federal and provincial governments designed to help both new and experienced importers with every stage of the import process.
INC magazine's information based site on international business opportunities and other useful advice on going global.
Website with links to sites with quick answers to trade-related questions
A series of podcasts that walks through all phases of the export process, from getting started to getting paid and delivering the goods.
An overview of starting an international trade business
Trade information for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Focused on Canada but useful for anybody.
Links to international trade sites; guides to importing and exporting; frequently asked questions about importing and exporting; and a list of INCOTERMS.
Resources for starting and running a small business in international trade.
A project of the International Finance Corporation, the SME Toolkit offers free business
management information and training for small businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The subjects covered are: Accounting and Finance, Business Planning, Human Resources (HR), Marketing and Sales, Operations, and Information Technology (IT). Within these categories there are many sub categories (look under
Marketing & Sales for International Business). The SME Toolkit offers how-to articles, hundreds of business forms, free business software, online training, self-assessment exercises, quizzes, and resources to help entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in emerging markets and developing countries grow their businesses.
Resources for starting up in import and export.
Current articles and the latest international trade news.
Templates of standard forms, contracts and agreements used in international trade, Texts of international rules for the conduct of trade, outlines of standard trade procedures and other useful resources for starting in trade.
A report and resources from the World Bank that explains in detail the procedures of importing and exporting.
Links to services of the US Department of Commerce's Commercial Service that can be used in the process of starting and maintaining export marketing activities.