Tips for writing a business plan

The import or export business unites buyers and sellers of various domestic and foreign products and raw materials. The import or export companies often have low fixed costs and business thin models, allowing them considerable profits with minimal investment. Sales, marketing and public relations are crucial elements that can make or break a new import / export business, such as paying attention to all local legal issues.

Decide what type of business you want to start importing or exporting. According to Entrepreneur.com, there are three main types of companies import / export. Start an export management company if you want to partner with national vendors to find foreign buyers of a small group of companies over a long term.

It is a trading company of export if you want to serve the foreign buyers, relating them with domestic suppliers that can serve your needs. You become an import or export trader, if you want to buy merchandise on your own and sell it in domestic or foreign markets, while maintaining all the benefits and assume all risks.

Register your business and get all required licenses and permits. According to the website My Own Business, U.S. not require licensing for export or import for most products. The export of products in the Commerce Department is restricted by the Commerce Control List, however, requires special permits.

Choose a target market to focus on the initial stage of your business. The activities of Import / Export covering a wide range of industries from which new businesses can benefit by focusing on one goal at a time to gain experience and establish a reputation. You can choose to focus on the segment of food at first, for example, the importation of off-season and low-cost commodity abroad, such as rice.

Sets foreign and national contacts in your niche market, this may be the slowest step to start your own business of import or export. Compile a list of all foreign and domestic companies that are in your chosen place and start a direct sales and marketing campaigns. Make calls, send emails and direct marketing materials to sales and purchasing managers of each company and always keeps track of all conversations and agreements made.

Determines the needs and products you are going to offer to each of your contacts and starts to make the connections. Make a list of all companies that expressed interest in doing business with you in the previous step. Contact sales managers and purchasing of each company to find the products they have to offer to foreign buyers that want to purchase products and materials from an external source.