Export

The first step of import/export consulting consists of an accurate evaluation of the company, of its core business and its current corporate model. In other words, the analysis focuses on how the company is currently placed on the domestic market and how it will be able to face international challenges.

There are several key components that decide the success of internationalisation: the solidity of the firm; its organizational set-up and legal status; its import and export expertise; the specific attitudes of its owners; the skills developed within the company; the attractiveness it raises on foreign markets; the actual features of the import/export goods and services; last but not least, the quantification and diversification of available resources.

Penetrating new markets calls for a sound understanding and the ability to intercept the funding opportunities they offer.

Import / export trading may result particularly complicated and may raise several actions which determine a course of analysis, costs and benefits evaluations, and the startup of credit lines that can support one or more steps of the process itself.

Mapping potential international budget lines or even lines of international credit is an essential process which allows to develop consciously an efficient import/export business plan, rationalising time and optimising the resources at our disposal.

Not all companies, and all products and services as well, can establish themselves in overseas markets. Frequently it does not depend neither on the company nor on products and services.

Awareness about the target market context or the market we want to set upon or to invest in, often determines the success of internationalization.

There are several key factors that may significantly determine the outcome of an investment, among which political stability, geographical centrality, proximity to Italy or to the Country of origin, suitable transport networks for people and freight transports, actual status of data exchange and telecommunication infrastructures, bilateral or international signed agreements and conventions, reference budgetary policy/government spending, customs services and fees, growth rate and gross national product, easy approach to language and to the regulatory framework, persistent presence of the same foreign business core model, bureaucracy, level of corruption, different habits, and the capacity to attract foreign investment. As a consequence it is fundamental to take them into due consideration.

 

Our import and export consulting services aim to develop an accurate analysis of the Country our customers address for their  investments and business choices. If the analysis does not produce results due to the endogenous features of the target Country, it will be possible to consider other options in line with the business policy of our customers by looking for new markets which suit company’s demands.

Internationalization  needs to be based on a logical and chronological agenda. Participating in a trade fair or even organising an event is certainly a showcase for the company. When professionally planned, however, it may also be an opportunity of prior investigation of those markets which differ from the domestic one. It is the stepping one towards a sound understanding of when and how to penetrate new realities, and of the level of competition on the transnational programme of business.

 

As a consequence our import/export consulting service makes provision for several actions and initiatives, both preventive and re-tabled, which allow to see benefits and implications, in particular those consenting to understand the potential that a certain foreign market represents for export products and services.

Although companies often take part in international trade fairs or even organise particular events, there are other chances in order to obtain confirmations. Companies can get acquainted with new realities and markets thank to in loco exploratory missions or even better by organising bilateral meetings in Italy or abroad, the last being common and interesting solutions to consider due to substantial abatements of the costs compared to other initiatives that imply more considerable financial and structural commitment.

Entering international markets may require several actions which need either to be developed simultaneously or diversifying their processes in a specific period. However, BPS export (Brand, Product, Service) may call for autonomous stages depending on whether it concerns a brand, a product or a service.

As far as promoting a brand or a new product or service is concerned, it is clear that communication and marketing campaigns are predominant over other kinds of actions. Consequently, effective communication in a foreign language which employs unusual means may represent both the key to success and a major challenge.

Our communication and international BPS marketing services involve features bound to institutional relations with sector press service, including the endeavour of constant formal and informal contacts with workers, stake holder, and opinion leader. When we talk about communication we also mean B2B Content sharing and B2C as well that nowadays are more and more essential when trying to make a brand, a product or an original service enter a new market. Social networks and targeted information of web 2.0, radio and thematic TV channels contribute to their relevance.

As a consequence, we don’t rule out the possibility to participate in trade fairs or, as a more and more widespread BPS marketing action, to organise particular events by which companies can foster their own realities choosing either an oppressive and aggressive way or a simple mode able to generate interest in participants, a small élite of stakeholders and international opinion leaders.

Another relevant aspect of BPS marketing strategies is the possibility to open a representative building abroad. Whatever it may be, an office, an information desk or a showroom, it will certainly be a structure with a specific function and it will emphasise both internationalization activities of the company and domestic market business, promoting the international nature and predisposition of the firm.

Planning a strong and efficient import/export network is important and, at the same time, complicated. Undoubtedly, there are no chances to enter an international market without a stable network based on trust and shared interests.

Network planning is the effective initial step that a company has to develop abroad by the participation of public and private authorities: these last can represent a reference point for all those problematic activities that are to be involved during import/export start-up and maintenance phase.

Setting out successful path to a little known field not only allows to reduce times but also to optimize resources. A delicate stage such as approaching a different market with its own laws, attitudes and trends calls for several key elements, among which providing efficient institutional contacts, building a relationship of trust with other private operators and entering opinion leaders environments. Staying out of market trends and laws would make it difficult for internationalization to succeed.

Our import / export consulting service offers not only a steady support during network development, but it also allows to strengthen relations with target countries by building up partnerships based on trust relationships among the participants of the network, and that make it possible to conclude cooperation contracts. Originally, distribution contracts either with a probationary period or indeterminate duration are activated with both small-scale-distribution and wholesale agents. Finally, business customer penetrates a foreign market.

Our import / export consulting services follow the relocation phase of a company, of one of its branches or its manufacturing sector. This is a very delicate path which may include a set of assessments and insights, above all of a fiscal nature and on labour law.

Sometimes when talking about relocation of companies one could improperly think of the simple opening of a new building, whether it is an office, an information desk, a showroom or even a first place of business abroad. This is becoming a more and more common option which allows to start the internationalization of a brand, a product or a service with lower business costs and risks compared to those of an actual relocation. Moreover, it permits to gradually approach to foreign markets so much that it has to be regarded as a marketing operation more than a true enterprise decentralization

The launch and maintenance of a productive import/export business include a number of complex activities. There are several core elements that may dictate the success of the operation: the opening of a new building abroad; the identification of the most suitable legal form for internationalization; the structuring of a high-profile network; the drawing-up of agreements and partnerships obligations; any contractual arrangements for the distribution or the advertising of a brand, a product or a service; labour market rules abroad.

 

Next to our import/export consulting services we have developed high-level cooperation projects. Legal advice on company law and international private law reflects the excellence of our services being, at the same time, reason for reliability even in the event of judicial and extrajudicial disputes. Moreover, our worldwide network of professionals enables us to offer high standards of customer care at low and competitive costs.

Companies that operate in the export services cannot disregard taxation and customs rules. Our professionals deal successfully with every taxation issues, paying special attention to value added tax and related concerns, such as trading of goods, services and passenger transport. Our professionals are also glad to cooperate with company’s trusted accountants.

At the same time, it is not possible to deal with customs without a sound knowledge of customs law and its international practice. We provide a global assistance by guaranteeing the best solutions for your business. Customs procedures, warehouses, parties involved and liable for customs penalties are key issues for an informed and successful commercial transaction.

International trade is based on two critical questions: 1. “Why shall I pay if I haven’t checked goods yet?” 2. “Why shall I send goods if you haven’t paid me yet?”. If no answer found, today we would not deal with International trade.

Indeed, customers have several payment instruments at their disposal and choosing one rather than another may determine the success of a negotiation.

Instruments like these can be friendly and may be used also in domestic transactions – such as banker’s draft and bank transfer – but, at the same time, they could be very complicated and expensive, as for example documentary credits.

Each transaction requires a particular method of payment, and we are perfectly aware that the selection of a proper instrument may determine success and may help to develop a trust relationship with all trading partners.

Transport law is based on general guiding principles. It describes an area of legislation which relates to specific principles that allow to associate sea and air transport to land transportation, excluding the last from common law.

Although commercial terms consist of several contracts that are generally recognised, they are subjected to different interpretations worldwide. As a consequence, consistency in expectations and protection of certain rights of the contracting parties may not be ensured. The so called “Incoterms” represent a solution to this inconsistency: they are general terms developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (Paris) intended to reduce or remove uncertainties arising from different interpretation of the transport rules in different countries. Thank to the Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) international trade is developing and succeeds in granting the satisfaction of all parties.

Acronyms like CIF, FOB, FAS, EXW will be perfectly clear, and your trade safe and profitable.