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The different ways to enter overseas markets
An overview of your options for entering overseas markets.
Advantages and disadvantages of opening an overseas operation
A local office, subsidiary company or joint venture offers great flexibility.
Advantages and disadvantages of using an overseas agent
An overseas sales agent can be a low-cost option, but you need to choose carefully.
Advantages and disadvantages of using an overseas distributor
Distributors take on many of the risks and burdens of trading overseas, but they expect heavy discounts in return.
Finding and contracting with overseas agents and distributors
Make a shortlist of intermediaries and compare what they can offer you and how well each is run.
Manage foreign exchange risk for imports
Protection against changing exchange rates.
Research overseas customers' and markets' creditworthiness
Political, economic, currency exchange and banking issues to consider
Payment terms for overseas customers
Learn about the main transaction types for overseas customers
Receiving payments from overseas customers
Interbank transfers, buyer's cheques, banker's drafts, international money orders and debit or credit cards
Decide your approach to importing
Keeping importing simple by dealing with experienced exporters in developed countries and using agents
Manage country risk for imports
Different cultures, regulations, languages and other country risks for importers.
Assess the reliability of overseas suppliers
Managing supplier risk for imports.
Ensure imported goods meet your requirements
Ensuring imports meet UK legal requirements and customer demand.
Minimise the impact of import delivery problems
Controlling the risk of damaged, delayed or incomplete deliveries.
Avoid payment problems with imports
Import payment methods and financial planning.
Knowledge of overseas markets
Know your target export market and where to get help in penetrating it successfully.
Benefits of ethical trading
How considering social, environmental and economic objectives can make you more competitive
How socially responsible is your business?
Audit business activities relating to the market, your workforce, the environment, the community and human rights
Protecting the environment
Implement sustainable development policies to minimise your business' negative impact on the world around it
Ensure staff welfare in your supply chain
Trade ethically and take responsibility for the human rights of workers indirectly involved in your business