BEGINNER'S
GUIDE
TO EXPORTING
01
WHY EXPORT ?
The reasons companies export are:
To expand sources of revenue
To diversify markets and reduce risk
To enhance competitiveness
To achieve economies of scale and utilise access capacity
Saturated domestic market
02
ARE YOU READY ?
Before venturing into export markets, companies should consider:
01
PRODUCTION

Able to expand production capacity to cater for export demand (e.g, new machines)

Adequate supply of raw materials

02
FINANCIAL

Healthy financial standing

Access to funding (commercial and government)

Understanding of payment instruments

03
HUMAN CAPITAL

Sufficient trainable and knowledgeable staff (e.g. customs and logistics,INCOTERMS)

Multi-skills and multi-lingual work force

04
MERKETING

Sufficient marketing collaterals

Access to various distribution channels

Knowledge in export market strategy (refer to export market plan)

05
EXPORT REQUIREMENTS & COMPLAINCE

Conform to mandatory international standards, accreditation and certification

Comply with export and import requirements (permit, licensing and quota)

06
LEGAL

Comply with international legal requirements

Understanding of Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)

International Sales Contract

Knowledge in arbitration and dispute settlement

03
MYTH OF EXPORTING
01
Bad debts in exporting

The risk of non payment can be mitigated by using internationally accepted terms of payment e.g. Letter of Credit

02
Establish locally before exporting

If the opportunity exists and is viable, companies should start with exporting before selling to the local market.

03
There is only one (1) terms of sale

There are different types of terms of payment to suit the different modes of transportation

04
Avoid unfamiliar or difficult market

The key to selecting any market is proper marketing research and sufficient preparation

05
Too small to export

There is an array of market entry strategies to suit various types of exporters and target markets. Whilst large companies typically account for far more total exports but the real fact is that vast majority of exporting firms in most countries are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)

06
Cannot afford to export

There are various [financial and non financial] efforts and schemes by the government to assist e.g. trade financingschemes to assist and exporters’ development programmes

07
Cannot compete with large overseas companies

Other competitive factors play a large role including intellectual property (IP), quality, service, and consumer taste - these may override the size of thecompany

08
Exporting is too complicated

The steps in exporting are systematic and its process and practice is consistent worldwide. There is an abundance of resources available online that helps the first time exporter about all ins and outs of exporting.

09
Exporting is too risky

With proper training and advice export risks can be adequately mitigated. Selling anywhere has risks even in the domestic market, but it can be reduced by using Letters of Credit (L/Cs) payment terms