An Introduction to Export Guidelines and Regulations

The internet has changed the way we work and opened up the world to small business. The smallest of retailers, individual creators and manufacturers now has a potential global audience at their fingertips. Should you be looking to export internationally, you will need to ensure you are thoroughly prepared and have considered all aspects of the business: from international import regulations to New York commercial insurance. Here are a few areas that you will need to research.

Classifications – Every item exported or imported is assigned a classification code for statistic gathering purposes. This is a complex area and government sites such as export.gov are a great first step to finding out how to go about having your items classified. You can also contact your local Export Assistance Center or the Trade Information Center.

Fees - Duties and tariffs are taxes levied by governments on items imported into their country and these are generally determined by your item’s classification. You will need to research tariffs for individual countries.

Free Trade Agreements – The US has negotiated free trade agreements with several countries. These are designed to limit tariffs and required paperwork and help small exporters compete in a global environment.

Freight – You should familiarize yourself with international freight procedures and shipping methods, required export documentation, fees and other requirements.

Export.gov and the Trade Information Center (TIC) can help you assess if you are ready to export and give you advice every step of the way. Be sure to also speak to your New York commercial insurance agent to ensure your items are protected in transit and that you have the appropriate liability coverage in place.
 

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