The National Export Initiative (NEI) is a multi-year effort to increase U.S. exports. Exporting is a great way to expand your business and take part in the global economy. In fact, companies that do business internationally grow faster and fail less often than companies that do-t.
With this initiative, Business.gov has updated its Export/Import section to better provide small business owners with the resources to start exporting.
Tell u' What successes and challenges have you experienced with exporting?
Here are some of the Problems that I encounter.
I had a container that got hold and wont be release since the receiving country suddenly change all there fumigation requirement.
Paid a fine, just because there was a snail outside of the container. The said container have to be detain and fumigated again.
Processing Custom papers is always a pain.
Changes in document format. (Bill of Lading)
Thank you for the responses, what successes have you seen? Increased business? Easier the second time around?
Thank you for the responses, what successes have you seen? Increased business? Easier the second time around?
One success story I can remember. Is when I shipped a container to a guy who happen to forget to mention to me that he was filling for bankruptcy (since this was a long time buyer I give him some leeway on payments) having sent xerox of all the documents (back in those day they can pull the container out with it) without getting paid (I know it was a bad move), I have to jump into a plane and try to get there before the container arrived too prevent the container from being pull out of the yard. (Since I was holding the original C.O.)
Long story short I manage to block the container from leaving the yard but it would cost more to send it back to me and major money for it to sit in the yard. So I decided to contact my other buyer's in the country but sadly none wont take the container because of the design even with the 50% off.
So I decided to do a little marketing with known importer there and believe it or not I manage to get two new customer's they are not big buyers (a container every 3 months) since it wasnt their product line but at the end of the day it all work out for the better for me.
One success story I can remember. Is when I shipped a container to a guy who happen to forget to mention to me that he was filling for bankruptcy (since this was a long time buyer I give him some leeway on payments) having sent xerox of all the documents (back in those day they can pull the container out with it) without getting paid (I know it was a bad move), I have to jump into a plane and try to get there before the container arrived too prevent the container from being pull out of the yard. (Since I was holding the original C.O.)
Long story short I manage to block the container from leaving the yard but it would cost more to send it back to me and major money for it to sit in the yard. So I decided to contact my other buyer's in the country but sadly none wont take the container because of the design even with the 50% off.
So I decided to do a little marketing with known importer there and believe it or not I manage to get two new customer's they are not big buyers (a container every 3 months) since it wasnt their product line but at the end of the day it all work out for the better for me.
nice experience of you all, thanks for sharing, i really enjoyed and learn something new.
One challenge that I remember that I have encounter was when the container was damage and in turn damage the product inside the said container (sea water got into the merchandise).
My buyer needed All the items in the said container, as it was already sold to another person (his big client) who have an opening or something.
Bottomline I have to get the items airship (which is very expensive but would get there ontime). I end up spending more than the value of the entire container just on airship fee. Major lost in this transaction.
One challenge that I remember that I have encounter was when the container was damage and in turn damage the product inside the said container (sea water got into the merchandise).
My buyer needed All the items in the said container, as it was already sold to another person (his big client) who have an opening or something.
Bottomline I have to get the items airship (which is very expensive but would get there ontime). I end up spending more than the value of the entire container just on airship fee. Major lost in this transaction.
Jim,
We're just getting started on the export side of our business, but we have a few challenges which need to be overcome.
-the size of refrigerated containers for wine (16,000 bottles is a HUGE # for a small contianer)
-finding local partners or wine brokers to sell our wine, or get it placed with wine clubs, restaurants, wine bars etc. This is difficult enough in the USA where we can visit places in person, extremely difficult outside of the country.
-payment terms. How do we collect 10k miles away in a reasonable manner for both sides?
It's a long and drawn out process, but it certainly seems like something which can be done. We have been pleasantly surprised about how easy the USA licensing has been
JimD | Former Moderator | 9/15/2010 - 8:50 am
jthorf | Contributor | 9/17/2010 - 8:37 am
jamith | Contributor | 9/21/2010 - 2:57 am
gretcyshaw | Creator | 9/1/2010 - 4:46 am
MarkAse | Contributor | 9/2/2010 - 9:43 am
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