How to Export

[misterbookie]

Hey readers, I'm hoping for some advice on how to export a product from the US to overseas What are some steps/suggestions to take a product from the US and land it overseas in a chain, such as 7 Eleven's? Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.

[teabenny]

Good topic.

I also have some questions regarding export:

1) Say I were exporting a small item in bulk quantities (e.g. cameras). Do I take it literally that I would be "shipping" these items by sea, or is air freight a more common way these days?

2) I can never find any info on the net regarding the finer points of import export. Are there any standardised procedures regarding customs regulations and duties?

3) I can't work out the difference between CIF and FOB. They both seem to be the same thing, going by the descriptions I've read.

I realise these might sound like stupid questions. Bear in mind though, I'm a relative newbie to this field!

Thanks for your help.

[jck2003]

Hi,

I have some experience in exporting/importing goods.

1) Air is most common. Sea is much slower and only for really bulky goods or containers.

2) Really, customs will only want a good description of what you have exactly in packages. Dont lie about what is in the package(s). Some good have certain restrictions or guidelines. Check out your government website for more info.

Regards,

John

[envisage-au]

1) Say I were exporting a small item in bulk quantities (e.g. cameras). Do I take it literally that I would be "shipping" these items by sea, or is air freight a more common way these days?

2) I can never find any info on the net regarding the finer points of import export. Are there any standardised procedures regarding customs regulations and duties?

3) I can't work out the difference between CIF and FOB. They both seem to be the same thing, going by the descriptions I've read.

1) Sea is far cheaper and much more economical than Air. Only use Air when you need to get freight there at a deadline. For the cost of 2 Cubic metres Australia to Asia/Europe via most freight forwarders, you could get an entire 20' Container. FCL Sea Freight can be as little as 10-15 days transit from Aus East Coast to most ports in China.

3) Read about Incoterms. FOB and CIF are very, very different.

[teabenny]

I've just found out! Thanks. Yeah, my previous reading up on incoterms left me confused. But I found a good site that explained it well.

[ratnashree]

What products are you considering? Are you interesting in exporting them to India?

[teabenny]

Ratnashree, what products are being produced in India right now? I know IT is a big industry there, but what else?

[misterbookie]

i'm thinking about exporting to china/taiwan