Sales channels to reach your customers

Selling overseas can create opportunities, but it can also add costs, legal issues and practical challenges, for example:

• Do you have the financial and other resources to exploit the market?
• Have you done the necessary market research?
• Do you understand local regulations, tax, product standards, labelling, data protection and consumer rights?
• How will you handle delivery, customs, returns, payment, currency and fraud risk?
• How will you provide after-sales service?

Selling directly to customers overseas means dealing with these issues yourself. For example, you might set up an e-commerce website, accept overseas orders or use trade shows to market your business overseas.

Alternatively, you may work with a distributor, reseller, marketplace or agent that already understands the local market.

The most complex option - but potentially the most rewarding - can be to establish your own local presence. For example, you might open a local office or set up a joint venture.

Read more about entering overseas markets.