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The global marketplace is a fast-growing and rapidly changing field. International business is exploding as a direct result of changes in technology, rapidly expanding economies, and international trade agreements; the United States imported $2.8 trillion and exported $2.3 trillion in goods in 2013. If you want to start your own international business or diversify the activities of your existing firms, you’ve come to the right place.

About This Book

Import/Export For Dummies is a reference book – something you can keep on your desk and turn to when you have questions, as well as something you can read through from beginning to end if you like. Either way, this book helps you determine whether the business of international trade is for you. In this book, you

✔ Explore how to set up an office for international trade

✔ Find products to import and export

✔ Identify target markets and find customers

✔ Make sense of applicable rules and regulations

✔ Find out how to complete the necessary licensing application and shipping documents

✔ Understand the process of international negotiations and cultural differences

Finally, Import/Export For Dummies gives you know-how and up-to-date info that you need in order to enter or advance in the challenging and highly rewarding world of importing and exporting.

Foolish Assumptions

I don’t make many assumptions about you as the reader of the book, but I do assume the following:

✔ You may be an entrepreneur or an owner of a small to medium-size business, and you’re looking to get involved in importing and/or exporting.

✔ You may be an employee of a business that’s planning to get involved in importing and exporting, and you want to be in the know.

✔ You have some business experience, but you may never have imported or exported before.

✔ You may be a college or business student taking an import/export course, and you want information in plain English.

Icons Used in This Book

Icons are those little images in the left-hand margins of the book, designed to draw your attention to certain kinds of information. Here’s what they mean:

When you see the Tip icon, you can be sure to find a helpful piece of information that’ll save you time or money or just make your life as an importer/exporter easier.

Ouch! You may get burned if you don’t heed these warnings.

You don’t have to memorize this book, but occasionally, I tell you something that bears repeating or that you’ll want to commit to memory. When I do, I mark the info with this icon.

Sometimes I tell you more information than you really need on a particular subject, and when I do, I flag that info with this icon. If you just want the basics, skip anything marked with this icon.

Beyond the Book

This book provides great information to help you explore the import/export business, but you can find many more resources on Dummies.com:

✔ You can download the book’s Cheat Sheet at www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/importexport. It’s a handy resource to keep on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

✔ You can read interesting companion articles that supplement the book’s content at www.dummies.com/extras/importexport. You will also find a link to a number of helpful documents and resources that you may download and use as use see fit.

Where to Go from Here

If you’re the kind of person who never missed a homework assignment in your life and did every extra credit assignment possible, you’ve probably already read the copyright information and table of contents. In that case, keep on reading until you hit the very last page of the book, and you’ll be happy.

If you’re more interested in getting the information you need, the table of contents and index are your new best friends. Use them to locate just the information you need, without having to read anything you don’t need.

Still not sure where to go? Here’s a quick guide: If you’re trying to decide whether importing/exporting is right for you and how doing business internationally is different, turn to Chapter 1. If you’re interested in finding out whether you need a license or permit before you can import or export a product, turn to Chapter 3. If you want to find suppliers, see Chapters 6, 7, and 8. If you want to find customers, go to Chapters 12 and 13. If you want tips on negotiating around the world, check out Chapter 16. If you want to figure out how to pay or get paid from individuals or firms from other countries, turn to Chapter 18. And if you want to clear a shipment through U.S. Customs, go Chapter 20.