Export Financing

Overview of Payment, Financing, and Documentation

For new client, the exporter should insist on payment by sight draft drawn against an irrevocable letter of credit - which is a written commitment by the foreign buyer's bank that it will pay for the goods.

Any doubts about the foreign buyer's bank or the exchange situation, the exporter may insist that the letter of credit (L.C.) to be confirmed by his own bank. Get Paid for Exporting

Credit terms to the foreign buyer - ranging up to 180 days may still be provided with a L.C.

With a letter of credit, the exporter will be assured of payment once he hands over to his advising bank - provided he has met all the necessary conditions e.g. shipping date, no partial shipment etc. as specified in the letter of credit.

Export insurance is also available to protect the exporter from financial loss, if the foreign buyer fails to pay.

Consideration should also be given to the currency in which payment is to be made and if there is any risk of an exchange loss that could wipe out expected profit. Insurance for Exporting

Consider whether your foreign currency should be sold forward to the exporter's bank - particularly if credit terms are being given and payment is due weeks or months in the future.

Finally, the exporter should find out what types of documents Documentation for Export are required for an export transaction, how many copies of each, and from where they can be obtained.

Secrets of International Trading

APEC The EEC InCoTerms 2000

Exporting Starts Here

Export Marketing Strategies

How to manage Export Promotion?

Documentation for Exporting

How to Draft and Agency Agreement?

Export Trade Barriers & Trade Blocks

Getting Paid for Exporting

Export Insurance

How to Develop an Export Market?

How to Conduct Export Research?

How to calculate Costing for Export?

Hazards of Export Packing & Shipping

Export Shipment and Transportation

4 P's of Business Correspondence

About Pallet a transportable platform

For special problems involved in completing the documents that might cause difficulties: for example, with foreign customs authorities. The assistance of a freight forwarder or shipping agent can be helpful.

Overview of Packing Requirements for Export

Goods shipped abroad require better packing than for goods sold locally because of the longer distance and greater care of handling. Hazards of Export Packing & Shipping

The packing requirements will depend on the type of product, the distance to be traveled, and the type of carrier to be used.

For example, shipping goods by container is much safer than shipping goods in individual boxes; or shipping goods by air is much safer than by sea.

Specific packing and shipping questions to be asked

1. What type of carrier will be used?
Export Transportation & Shipment

2. If, on board ship, whereabouts (Stowage)
(which part of the ship)?

3. What weather conditions are likely to be encountered?

4. What type of handling will the goods be subjected to?

5. Will the packing withstand rough handling?

6. Will the packing be able to prevent stealing?

7. Do the packages require strapping?

8. What marks or labels will be required on the outside of
the package?

Overview of Export Transportation

The best way to ship goods to the foreign market always involve a compromise between the following factors: speed, cost, and safety. Sometimes the buyer may specify how the goods are to be sent.

In determining the export prices some prior assumption have to be made about the Export Transportation and Shipment costs and type of carrier used as well as Insurance for Exporting to be protected from financial loss, if the goods are lost or damaged on the way.

Overview of Visiting Foreign Country

The final step, after all possible export research has been done in the exporter's own country How to do Export Research? is to pay a visit to the foreign country so as to become personally familiar with the target country and to meet prospective agents, home country representatives, trade consulate as well as help answer unresolved questions.

To maximize the benefit, the exporter will need to prepare a detailed itinerary; specifying places to visit, persons to meet, and information to be obtained.

The exporter should arrange for one or more persons in the foreign country to assist him/her in their work e.g. government trade officials, prospective agents, etc.

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Recommended references
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