About to begin exporting or importing goods for the first time? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

How can your business get started importing and exporting goods? 

The import and export of goods can be a highly lucrative endeavour that greatly assists your organisation’s growth in its sector. It can’t be denied, however, that arranging the smooth and successful delivery of shipments can be a complicated process. 

So, what are some of the steps that you will need to take if you are only just beginning to involve your company in the transportation of products across national borders?

Carry out market research 

If you are contemplating launching an import/export business for the first time or shifting your existing company into such activity, you will want to undertake extensive research and planning. 

This market research should be aimed at giving you an in-depth knowledge and understanding of your target market, the competition you will face, and consumer behaviour. 

You will want to keep a lookout for the market gaps and opportunities that your business can take advantage of. Alongside this, you will need to consider what your target customers’ needs will be, so that you can provide them with products they will actually wish to purchase. 

Familiarise yourself with the key import and export processes 

The exact actions that you will need to take in order to move goods to different territories around the world, will depend on such factors as exactly what you will be importing or exporting, as well as where you will be sending shipments from, and where they will be going. 

There may, for instance, be certain taxes and duties that you will need to pay if you are looking to send goods from outside the UK to Great Britain, that might not have applied otherwise. There are also legal requirements in relation to such aspects as licensing, certification, labelling, and marketing standards that you will need to inform yourself about. 

With our extensive freight networks across the UK, Europe, and the globe here at KTL, we are excellently placed to help manage the complexities of your goods’ cross-border journeys. 

Prepare your business for the import or export of goods 

Once you have established a strong grounding of knowledge of the rules involved in importing and exporting, and ensured a market exists for your intended import/export business, you will be able to take slightly more concrete steps. 

Those will include – if you are looking to export – checking the relevant duties and customs procedures, and applying for any special licences that may be needed for the export of certain goods such as chemicals, medical devices, and/or animal and plant products. You may also need to obtain an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. 

Prospective importers, too, should familiarise themselves with the EORI number requirements. They will also need to determine the classification of the goods they are seeking to import, in addition to – of course – arranging the actual transportation and shipping. 

The right cross-border freight services, provided by a reputable freight forwarder such as KTL, could be instrumental in your company’s transition into importing and exporting. To learn more about our expertise and solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.