Find a freight forwarder

The freight forwarders are experts in international maritime transport which offers businesses advice, assistance and useful contacts during export. Their expertise and knowledge of the distribution of goods abroad of inestimable value, and they will often save time and money.

A freight forwarder offers the following services:

1. Prepare prices

* Advice on transportation charges, consular fees and costs of special documentation
* Assistance for the preparation of the pro-forma invoice

2. Handling and transport

* Advice on different methods of shipment
* Advice on various types of packaging, labelling and containers available
* Make arrangements for packaging, labelling and containerising your goods at the port
* Book shipments aboard ships and aircraft
* Make arrangements for loading and unloading of your shipment at the port
* Number delivery
* Make arrangements for insurance
* The track shipments
* Arrange for clearance
* Make arrangements for the storage or supply
* Prepare documents for the collection of payment under the letter of credit

3. Rules

* You help them understand regulations
* You help them obtain an import permit

4. Documentation

* Collect all documents required
* Prepare Documents export declaration
* Prepare lading
* Literature Review precision
* Ensure that the goods comply with customs regulations export documents

Some freight forwarders specialize in organizing shipments to some countries while others focus on types of products.

Selection criteria for a freight forwarder:

* City of forwarding office (compared to your port of shipment)
* Experience in dealing with similar products cheers
* Experience in modes of transport
* The experience and knowledge of your export market
* Credit Rating
* Transport rate
* Schedule Delivery
* Insurance
* Recommendations other companies
* Membership in associations or professional organizations
* Fees and additional charges

Source freight forwarder by:

* Your visit local chambers of commerce to ask for a list of freight forwarders
* Search the Yellow Pages
* Ask an experienced exporter in an area similar to recommend a freight forwarder

Your responsibility
Even when using a freight forwarder, it is your company's ultimate responsibility to ensure correct documentation and procedures are respected. From training in export procedures and documentation is recommended for personnel involved in the export process. Contact the Institute of Export for more details.

Forecast future product usage

Knowing what products and services to sell, to whom, for how much and in what quantity is crucial for your business' success. You should plan carefully to maximize sales and earnings performance for the transaction.

Planning and Forecasting are ways of predicting the future. With forecasts can anticipate and predict what is necessary to meet your goals.

The most commonly used methods of forecasting are either subjectively or objectively. The subjective method is used when contemplating purchase of new elements, while the objective method is better suited for frequently used items.

Subjective forecasts
Subjective or judgmental forecast is useful when a product does not have a job history, for example, new products or product upgrades. This method can also be used on existing products, if time constraints mean that objective forecast can not be applied. More often than not, subjective forecasts are subject to distortions such as optimism and overconfidence. It is the biggest disadvantage of this kind of forecast is the possibility of misleading information, could be costs for companies.

Target forecasts
Objective prognosis is most often used on the existing product lines. This includes research and analysis to determine what you need based on empirical data. To collect the most accurate data on the future use product, you should:

* Check historical data
* Identify and interpret trends
* Analysis of the existing use
* Factor for the known changes in future demand

Objective prognosis is less risky than subjective methods, as in the past quantitative results and facts to create more accurate forecasts. While the company should always aim to use objective prediction, there is still something to say for the good instinct - nobody knows how you do your business!

Doing a forecast
To prepare a forecast you must:

* Delivery times - could be anything from one week to four months. They need to know what your time frame is
* Predicted use - weekly, monthly or annually. Are there any 'special events' or ups and downs?
* Consultancy / Market Analysis Reports
* Customer information - what are the trends? Who are you targeting? What age group?
* What are the risks, if it is a new product?
* Who are your competitors?
* Are they perishable or non-perishable items?
* Budget
* Availability - the elements are easily accessible from the supplier?
* Product price - their prices are competitive? Are your margins sustainable? What savings can be made?
* Safety stock level - what is the minimum extent you want to keep inventory at a particular time?

Develop an export plan

Many companies fail to consider overseas markets when the possibilities of increasing the company's success, nor the decision on the import and export can be one of the most lucrative of a company will always make.In an increasingly global economy, companies can hardly afford not to import and export goods and services. The government has a strong interest in the import and export trade and has a support service and many other measures specifically aimed at the more companies like yours to import and export. Take a look at our collection of guidance and insider tips below will help you in planning, legal and how your company a successful import and export business.

The purpose of an export plan is to gather facts, constraints and goals, and the setting of a timetable.

Export potential
Is your business ready for export?

Consider your company's reasons for exporting:

* Long-term expansion
* Strengthen Competitiveness
* Exploit the unique technology and expertise
* Improving the return on investment

Assess whether your product is suitable for export:

* Product standards and regulations
* Cost of adaptation and modification of your product for international sales
* Export licence requirements

Market research
The second important element of an export plan, the market research. Identify and evaluate the target market will enable you to:

* Understand the industry structure
* Forudsiger product demand
* Identify competition
* Determine the product changes are necessary

Research your industry sector in the export market, to find out the opportunities and growth areas, and identify any barriers. At this point, it is also a good idea to create a basic customer profile for your product.

Export Strategy
The next step is to develop an export strategy, defining how to enter the foreign market and find trade leads. Decide whether you want to export indirectly through intermediaries - which will require finding overseas representation - or do-it-yourself. The latter option means you have to consider how to promote products abroad, and the type of customer support, you will be able to deliver.

Prices and supply
It is important to consider product pricing and quotes, payment methods, shipping conditions and costs to precisely calculate your expenses and budget for them accordingly.

Rules and regulations
Next ensure that you understand and adhere to the rules and regulations for international trade. Being aware of such rules will help you convert them from the barriers in benefits.

Financing
Consider how you will finance your export plans, including calculations on your expenses such as salaries, travel, advertising, distribution, production, etc. State of the daily operation will be funded from an external source or internally. Include a projected sales forecast in your export plan - this will help you to measure success.