Doing Business In (Insert Country Name Here) - BNA

For documentary and educational works, applications must be filed with the Civil Society
for Multimedia Authors:
Société Civile des Auteurs Multimédia (SCAM)
Tel: (+33) 1.56.69.58.58; Fax: (+33) 1.56.69.58.59
Website: [http://www.scam.fr/]
Due Diligence Return to top
Once the U.S. company has identified several potential representatives, it should contact
them directly in writing. Just as the U.S. firm is seeking information on the French
representative, the representative is interested in corporate and product information on
the U.S. firm. The U.S. firm should provide full information on its history, resources,
personnel, the product line, previous export activity, and all other pertinent matters.
At the same time the firm is providing information on itself, it should also engage in a
thorough investigation of the potential representative. Following is a list of important
facts the firm should endeavor to find out:
- Current status and history, including background on principal officers
- Personnel and other resources
- Sales territory covered
- Current sales volume
- Typical customer profiles
- Methods of introducing new products into the sales territory
- Names and nature of U.S. firms currently represented
- Trade and bank references
- Assessment of whether U.S. firm's special requirements can be met
- View of in-country market potential for the U.S. firm’s products
Exporters have the right to explore the qualifications of those who propose to represent
them overseas. Therefore, the U.S. firm should not hesitate to ask the potential
representative(s) or distributor(s) detailed questions.
In addition, the U.S. firm is advised to obtain at least two businesses and credit reports
to ensure that the distributor or representative is reputable.
The US Commercial Service in France provides comprehensive financial reports:
Search made through local credit information database provider.
For more information see:
[http://www.buyusa.gov/france/en/14.html - _section18]
Local Professional Services Return to top
Local service providers focusing on EU law, consulting, and business development can
be viewed on the website maintained by the Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to
the European Union at: [http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/services.html]
2/15/2008 Country Commercial Guide for France 29
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
© 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.