Import Export Business: Where do I start?

By Jennifer Henczel, Import Export Coach

I often receive inquiries from workshop participants, clients, and visitors asking, “Where do I start?” 

There are many aspects of international trade to learn.  I have been studying and practicing in this field for years, and I can honestly tell you there is no quick way through all of the information.  It's a matter of persistence and patience.  In addition, every single venture is different and presents unique challenges.  But it can be done, and if you pursue it further than the next person, then you win.  So hang in there.  You can do it!

With that said, here are my suggestions:

These are the 4 main points to remember: 

1. Learn the import export basics, but don't let yourself get too bogged down.  As I discuss in my popular import export workshops, there are 7 main areas to learn about:

• Product or Service
• Trade Barriers
• Market Research
• International Marketing
• Logistics
• Legal Issues
• Financial Aspects

Keep in mind, that international trade is not a light or quick subject to learn.  It’s not something you can learn completely in one 4 hour session.  However, I have created a step-by-step online import export workshop for my clients and workshop participants that will help get you started.


2. Research, research, research!  If you think about research as just making a lot of phone calls, looking up and collecting important information, and reading market reports, government statistics, and trade magazines.  Research helps you to make important decisions about your business, such as how to market your products in a certain country.  Most importantly, research will reveal whether an import export venture is worthy of going forward or not. 

I always say, "Increase your research to decrease your risk"

3. You must write a business plan (if it is a start-up) or an international marketing plan (if you are expanding into new markets with your existing business) in order to attract investors, bankers, or small business government funding programs. 

You may find this a shocking statement, but guess what:  no one else can do it for you.  The international marketing plan is where you express you vision and idea for the business, and compile all of your research. 
Business plan template and step-by-step guide 
International marketing plan templates

4. Make the right contacts.  Relationships are the key to a successful international trade partnership.
In addition, unless you are on you way to getting a degree or extensive education in the field, then the best thing to do is to hire an international trade consultant who does have the education and experience to assist you.  Having knowledgeable input will dramatically increase your chances of success.  As I said earlier, you should gain a basic understanding of import export, but you must rely on experts around you to provide the needed information to make important decisions.  

My experience holding public import export workshops and working with thousands of entrepreneurs around the world, has lead me to understand that most start-up companies cannot afford the expensive fees of a consultant.  That is why I created affordable options for my clients, participants, and website visitors.  On my Import Export Tools page, you can find all the low cost options I wrote to help entrepreneurs like yourself:

You can also sign up for my Ezine and purchase the Import Export Smart Start Workshop, which includes import export business start up information, links, resources, and articles.   By becoming a subscriber, you will gain direct access to my advice, suggestions, online resources, and special offers. Enter your primary email address in the top left corner of this website.

I know you can achieve your dreams through your own import export venture!