Export Montana
Export Assistance
More than ever before, it is clear today that world trade is essential to the health of the American economy and to the growth of most U.S. companies. This is especially true for Montana's small businesses that compete in a much smaller domestic market with increased foreign competition. Entering the overseas marketplace offers exciting opportunities to increase company sales and profits, as well as providing needed stimulation to the State's economy in general. The advantages which can accrue from exporting are significant:
- Increased profits
- Additional markets
- Increased product/service life cycle
- Offset lack of demand for seasonal products
- Lower per unit fixed costs
- Increased number of customers
- Better utilization of company personnel
- Increased productivity
- Additional product/service lines
- Tax advantages
In many cases, the lack of U.S. company initiative to develop overseas business is affected by domestic marketing requirements, a lack of required knowledge, and apprehension about the unknown. Chances are that if your company has done well selling its products/services in the U.S. market, the same basic strategy can be used in successfully entering overseas markets. Selling abroad requires time, personnel, planning, market research, attention to detail, and hard work. It may even require some changes, such as voltage, packaging, or metric conversion. Yet exporting is not mysterious or difficult if the fundamental elements of the export process are understood and followed:
- Commitment
- Analyzing your firm's capabilities
- Export potential of your product/service
- Locating foreign markets
- Market entry strategies
- Learning export procedures
- Processing an export order
The Trade and International Relations Bureau focuses on small and medium sized businesses ready to make the export commitment and gives them the technical assistance they need to develop export markets, comply with export regulations, determine payment options and intl. finance, considerations surrounding shipping and logistics, as well as business relationship development and cross-cultural understanding. The following links address the typical issues surrounding exportation of product and the procedures necessary to comply with export regulation.
