basic-guide-to-exporting_Latest_eg_main_086196

location and construction of manufacturing facilities, and the establishment of foreign branches.After sales agreements are completed, trade consultants can also ensure that implementation issmooth and that any problems that arise are dealt with effectively.Trade consultants usually specialize by subject matter and by global area or country. Theseconsultants can advise on which agents or distributors are likely to be successful, what kinds ofpromotion are needed, who the competitors are, and how to conduct business with the agentsand distributors. They are also knowledgeable about foreign government regulations, contractlaws, and taxation. Some companies may be more specialized than others. For example, somemay be thoroughly knowledgeable about legal issues and taxation and less knowledgeable aboutmarketing strategies.Many large accounting firms, law firms, and specialized marketing companies provideinternational trade consulting services. When selecting a consulting company, you should payparticular attention to the experience and knowledge of the consultant who is in charge of theproject. To find an appropriate company, seek advice from other exporters and from the otherresources listed in this chapter, such as U.S. Commercial Service offices and local chambersof commerce.Consultants are of greatest value to a company that has specific requirements. For that reason,and because private consultants are expensive, it pays to take full advantage of publicly fundedsources of assistance before hiring a consultant.Freight Forwarders and Shipping CompaniesFreight forwarders help prepare export documentation, book transport for your products, and, ifneeded, arrange for customs clearance at the port of arrival. You are not required to have a freightforwarder, but they can be useful, especially if you are exporting for the first time, exporting toa new country, or prefer someone else to handle these formalities. Some of the big shippingcompanies, such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL, are themselves forwarders and customs brokers,offering account holders a more complete solution. They also have websites with extensiveinformation for exporters, including the documents required by each country they do business in.All three are strategic partners of the U.S. Commercial Service, whose partners now number over100 and include a hotel chain, a major IT services provider, the professional association of freightforwarders and customs brokers, and many other types of companies that want to encouragecustomers to sell globally.E-Commerce ProvidersE-commerce providers are another good source of information on the export process, especiallydocumentation, duties and taxes, and regulations. The sources range from giants like eBay andAmazon to niche platforms such as Webport Global and Export Now.Chapter 4: Export Advice55