Source: Wealth Creator Magazine Sep/Oct 2006

Export data

Austrade is ideally placed to assist firms with gathering export data, which could include:

Import duties the product would attract

  • Other barriers to imports, such as import licensing
  • Local taxes on the product, such as sales tax
  • Frequency and cost of shipping or airfreight between Australia and the foreign market
  • Regulations, such as quarantine and labelling standards, consumer protection rules, and product standards
  • Current selling prices
  • Profiles of the main competitors
  • Who the potential agents, distributors or partners are
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Austrade's export tips and checklist

Source: Wealth Creator Magazine Sep/Oct 2006

Preparing your business for export

Thinking about your readiness to export is a way of identifying key success factors and helping you in your planning. The exporter checklist will help you in this process. Also, as part of your preparation take some time to understand the risks of exporting.Filippo

Financial issues
Getting into export will impose additional financial burdens and risks on your business.

Steps to take include:

  • Discussing your plans with the international department of your bank to ensure that you are in a position to finance your export investigations and market entry.
  • Gaining an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of various international payment methods and the terms used in international trade.
  • Discuss costing for export with your accountant, including the issue of marginal costing.
  • Determining transport and insurance costs with help from a customs broker or forwarding agent who will also help establish packaging needs (and costs).
  • Developing an understanding of options for quoting buyers for export business. Common quotation modes will include FOB (free on board) and CIF (cost of goods plus insurance and freight).
  • Where possible, applying for tax concessions (23AF of the Income Tax Assessment Act) on approved projects. This assists the companies winning contracts against international bids.
Alternative approaches 

If you feel you don't have the resources or expertise to begin exporting there are other options:

Support for potential exporters is available through Austrade

Use the services of an export merchant who will be an experienced international trader prepared to buy from you and sell overseas.

Sell through an export agent who will do the overseas marketing for you on a commission or retainer basis.

This method exposes you to risks such as non-payment which will need to be managed.

Exporting online can be a very attractive and cost effective option