Myths about Exporting and Importing

Myths about Exporting. 

Many first time exporters or firm managers believe the myths about exporting  that it’s too difficult or too costly to sell their product in a foreign country. But given below the some of the important facts that will help a first time exporter to clear all his misconceptions.

• Myth I : I Am Too Small to Export: Only large firms with name recognition, abundant resources, and formal export departments can export successfully. It is true that large firms 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).

• Myth II : I Cannot Afford to Export: I don't have the money for hiring new employees, for marketing abroad, or expanding production for new business. There are various low-cost ways to market and promote abroad, handle new export orders, and finance receivables. This does not require hiring new staff or setting up an export department. At little or no cost for example, you can receive product and country market research, worldwide market exposure, generate trade leads, and find qualified overseas distributors through various Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils.

• Myth III : I Cannot Compete With Large Overseas Companies: My products are unknown and my prices are too high for foreign markets. If the product is known in the domestic market then it’s a plus point but even an unknown product can be exported in a foreign market. Low demand of a product doesn’t indicates that it will be also not accepted in the international market. Price is also an important, but it is not the only selling point. Other competitive factors play a large role including quality, service, and consumer taste - these may override price. Also prices of a product may not be relatively high in countries with a strong currency, as in the European Union.

• Myth IV : Exporting is Too Risky:  I might not get paid. Selling anywhere has risks even in the domestic market, but it can be reduced with reasonable precautions. To assure you get paid, use Letters of Credit (L/Cs). A L/C is a letter from a bank guaranteeing that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. In the event that the buyer is unable to make payment on the purchase, the bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount of the purchase. Proper documentation can minimize the risk associated with the export business.

• Myth V : Exporting is Too Complicated:  Exporting is too complicated; I won’t understand the laws and documentation requirements. You don't need to be an expert to export. There is an abundance of resources available online that helps the first time exporter about all ins and outs of the export operations. Government of India and its associated agencies like Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils also provide guidelines to the exporters.

Myths about Importing.

As there are myths about exports in the same manner there are certain myths which are involved with, imports also. Lets see what they are;

• Myth I : It takes too long: A common myth here is that the delivery takes too long and I might miss the opportunity. This is not true because if all the formalities are over in time, then the proucts can be shipped within 24 hrs of placing an order.

• Myth II : Minimum in Too High: The second myth is that the minimum amount that can be imported is very high. But as a matter of fact it is quite low. In certain cases you can even import a minimum of one item.

• Myth III : Poor quality:  Many of the world’s top products are created oversees. You might be good in somethings but others are also not fools.

• Myth IV : What you see is not what you get: Companies are here not to trade for once. So in most of the cases if you choose a right vendor you will get what you are supposed to get.

I hope that I have solved some of your myths (doubts).