| Have you ever wondered how the imported products | | | | will I get suppliers and how will I ship the goods? These |
| you are using reach your country? From jackets, | | | | are just a few questions that you need to take into |
| mobile phones, DVDs and more, there must be | | | | account when you make your business plan. |
| somebody who has made a profitable business out of | | | | 4. Decide on whether you want to be a sole trader or |
| bringing in all these items from the different countries all | | | | if you have partners and need to form a partnership |
| over the world. These are profit that comes in | | | | or limited company. |
| because of the need to meet a demand in your | | | | A home-based import export business is lucrative and |
| country. This presents an excellent opportunity for you | | | | easy to set up. Being located in the home means that |
| to make money. Although the import export business | | | | you need very little to start the business and do not |
| may not be the first thought that comes to mind when | | | | need a lot of overhead to keep it running. It oftentimes |
| you think about home based business, the world's | | | | requires just coordination efforts and building up of |
| oldest trade can be a lucrative home business | | | | relationships with suppliers and distributors. These next |
| opportunity. To find out if this business is right for you, | | | | steps will get you going on this opportunity. |
| here are some considerations: | | | | First, find niche markets for products that may be |
| 1. See if you can find contacts. Contacts are essential | | | | difficult to find in your country and perhaps other |
| for both getting good products and selling them. | | | | countries. Fill that niche by finding suppliers that can |
| Determine if you have enough contacts of suppliers | | | | supply you with products for a price that you can |
| and customers who are the most essential players in | | | | comfortably sell with a margin. Then find out what your |
| this business. The internet provides several sources of | | | | area and other areas need and fill that need. |
| information as well as venues for selling products that | | | | Importing and exporting does not necessarily mean just |
| you can explore. | | | | from one country to another, it can also be from one |
| 2. Are you a very detailed person. Going into the | | | | state to another or one city to another. |
| import export business requires that you take care of | | | | Do extensive research. It will also help you determine |
| customers and be able to serve their needs. | | | | what products will help you corner the market, help |
| 3. Create a business plan for your import export | | | | you find reputable suppliers, distributors, purchase and |
| business. This will be your roadmap on what you want | | | | selling prices. In short, research will give you all the |
| to achieve and how you will be doing it. Some of the | | | | necessary information and prevent you from making |
| questions that need to be taken into consideration are: | | | | too many mistakes in your import export business. |
| Will I go full time or part time? Do I need outside help? | | | | Profitable import export business is highly possible in a |
| From which countries should I source from? Should I | | | | home based environment but it should be combined |
| attend import export training courses or will an import | | | | with diligence in searching for products and market, |
| export ebook suffice? If I go into this business, where | | | | persistence in finding new opportunities and hard work. |