home import/export business

[defangthewolf]

im from australia and new to this forum. im planning to get into the home import/export business. was wondering, what is the best startup manual/book? hope to hear from other aussies, who are active in this business. appreciate any advice.

[terryxu]

find you client, then find the factory.

[lfbarragan]

Hi,

I'm also working on the same idea, home import/export business and I just joined this forum to find out more about it and share knowledge with people. I don't have the answers that you need but maybe we can help each other, here goes an article I found at entrepreneur .com

Is not exactly about home import/export but it can give you a good idea about the whole business:

www dot entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article41846 dot html

In my case I'm a Venezuelan living in Estonia and I'm planing to import products from my country and from Colombia to the Nordic countries.

Anyway I hope this helps

P.S: I split the link cause it seems that I can't post url if I haven't posted at least 10 times in this forum

im from australia and new to this forum. im planning to get into the home import/export business. was wondering, what is the best startup manual/book? hope to hear from other aussies, who are active in this business. appreciate any advice.

[Matagascar]

G'day. I'm a 16 year old Aussie and I'm importing reguarly from mainland China and Hong Kong.

There is not really a manual or book which can help you advance in the import/export business, you can really only learn from your own and other peoples experiences. A suggestion is to visit websites like Alibaba and GlobalSources to contact suppliers and manufactures of different products. Be careful not to run into any scammers or fake businesses; because their are a lot of them.

Also another fact is when importing into Australia, your products will be vulnerable to import taxes, levys, GST and certain tariffs if the total invoice amount is over the threshold of $1,000AUD. When starting out in the import/export business, try and keep your amount below this to ensure a smooth transaction.

[F360]

I've been importing from China for a number of years now - and soon to finish writing my guide for others to follow (I guess YE people can look at the unfinished website - please don't use the form, it doesn't work yet...just bookmark the site).

1 question - how much would you be willing to pay for such a guide?

www.ImportingTutor.com - My soon-to-be-release importing from china guide'

[leonyu]

for working at home on exp./imp., I agree with Matagascar that there is no book can help you in advance.

My suggestion is as follows:
1. choose the field you are familiar or have interest-one can not get familiar with every product, and both buyers and sellers like to deal with the professionals;
2. find your vendor and buyers by searching the internet (alibaba, globalsources, tradekey) or by attending an exhibition (Canton Fair, or others), collect as many information relating to your field as possible;
3. set up a blog to show what a person you are and help the others help you;
4. if possible, find a partner in your sourcing country or your marketing country-it might cost you some money, but the partner can help you gain more money.

And, many many other tips.......

[defangthewolf]

the manual i am interested in is from this site, as you can see it isnt cheap http : // importexportbusiness . com . au
opinions?

[defangthewolf]

G'day. I'm a 16 year old Aussie and I'm importing reguarly from mainland China and Hong Kong.

There is not really a manual or book which can help you advance in the import/export business, you can really only learn from your own and other peoples experiences. A suggestion is to visit websites like Alibaba and GlobalSources to contact suppliers and manufactures of different products. Be careful not to run into any scammers or fake businesses; because their are a lot of them.

Also another fact is when importing into Australia, your products will be vulnerable to import taxes, levys, GST and certain tariffs if the total invoice amount is over the threshold of $1,000AUD. When starting out in the import/export business, try and keep your amount below this to ensure a smooth transaction.

where/who did you learn the laws, regulations and processes from?

[Matagascar]

When conducting research for my business plan, I needed to investigate such topics. I have found out the easy way and of course, the hard way. If in doubt, check out the ATO website, perhaps this website and also do some googling.

Also, in regards to the website http://importexportbusiness.com.au, all the things he/she is covering can be found for free, and with a bit of research. See a quick rundown below:

How to set up your business

Find everything you need and more right here.

How to form your business, partnership, sole trader or company.

Common knowledge for any business person. Found here.

How to find products and track down products that your customers are looking for.

Try by using eBay's hot searches in each category. From there, do a search on this website for the products and for a supplier.

How to find buyers and sellers.

Use the above mentioned website(s).

How Austrade can help you get started and free government assistance.

See here.

Important banking and foreign exchange procedures.

This again is common sense. Pay the person in one currency and they receive it in their currency! *yay*

Finding the right freight forwarder.

Not necessary..

Why the Internet is a great resource and where to look.

Thrown in to make the list look long?

Custom procedures for Importing/Exporting. What you need to know and what to avoid.

See above posts. Also, see this website which shows you everything about import/export.

Where to get International trade directories for free or just a few $$$.

You shouldn't be paying for trade directories anyway. Use ALIBABA for all of your product sourcing.

Discover new products and suppliers every month.

A-L-I-B-A-BA..

How much money you will get paid, and how to make sure you get it.

What the?..

How to take the risk out of all your deals.

Research the hell out of the company. This might be the one worth reading.

The rest is basic common knowledge and you wont need it for importing. This may not be step-by-step but it beats the hell out of paying $127! I cannot stress enough not to pay for these manuals with basic information. If the guy was selling a list of legit suppliers he's personally dealt with, that would be another story, but even then, once someone finds a legit supplier, they will 95% of the time keep it to themselves.

If you have any specific questions, fire away.