Import and export: everything you need to know

 Import and export are two complementary processes. When a company sells its products in another country, this is called export. As for the country that received the product, import takes place in it. Import and export help countries obtain products that they do not have or are available at a lower price, while exporting helps to save foreign exchange and increase sales.

The steps and regulations for import and export at the level of Arab and global countries are similar due to the regional and international agreements of the World Trade Organization, so we have prepared this general guide that may benefit the owners of companies in the various Arab countries.

The basics of import and export:

Before you know more about the import and export process, it is important that you know those people or entities with whom your interests intersect, whether you are an importer or an exporter:

1. Exporter (supplier): An exporter is someone who produces or purchases goods and ships them to another country, also called a shipper, supplier or seller. And exporters are types, either they are just traders, or manufacturers, or a third party exporter or an exporter of services.
2. Importer: The importer is the merchant who buys shipped goods from exporters, and importers are also types, including the final consumer, or the approved importer.
3. Country of Origin: It is the country from which the goods were shipped. The port of shipment from which the goods were shipped is also called the port of loading or the port of origin.
4. Country of destination: It is the final destination of the goods sent from the country of origin, and the port to which the goods are sent is called the port of destination.
5. Shipping line: Shipping or logistics lines are ships that carry goods from the country of origin to the country of destination.
6. Origin agent: The shipping agent in the country of origin is the one who coordinates between the importer and the exporter and ensures the movement of the shipment.
7. Destination agent: The shipping agent in the destination country is the one who coordinates with the shipping lines, the importer and the agent of origin.
8. Customs authorities: The customs authority is the one that clears goods, whether for export or import, before entering or leaving the country.
9. Port authorities: They are authorities located in the countries of origin and destination whose aim is to unload, unload or load ships.
10. Multimodal transport: Some agencies provide multi-freight services, either by shipments, railroads or aircraft to facilitate the movement of goods from the factory to the port of loading and from the port of arrival to the warehouses of importers.

Create an import and export company:

    1- Prepare the basics of import and export:

Anyone who starts an activity related to the import and export activity needs basics before it starts, such as the company’s operating costs to protect it from bankruptcy and excellence in the market, and also need to prepare the website and the pages of communication sites and prepare the papers required to open an import and export company, whether by registering the company or obtaining commercial licenses It may take months for you to prepare these paperwork and legal requirements to get started.

    2- choose products carefully:

The next step after preparing the papers is to search for successful import and export fields and products that are in demand in the international market. Once you find the required products, try to find the most suitable market for them. First of all, your product will need someone to buy it, and therefore you have to measure the spread of these products and analyze whether the demand for them will increase in the future or not!

    3- Target suppliers or importers:

Once you register your import-export company and know what products to export or import, start targeting and reaching suppliers or importers to start taking orders. Good relationship with suppliers and importers will lead to long-term success in the fields of import and export.

You can find suppliers through companies such as Alibaba, Global Sources, and Thomas Register.

    4- Calculating costs:

After selecting the products your import and export company will deal with, you will need to calculate the costs of shipping, transportation and storage, your profit is often about 10% to 15% of the factory price. Make sure that the customer will not reject the final price of the product you are selling so that your sales or profits are not affected by the high cost.

    5- Cooperation with logistics providers:

Working in import and export requires a great deal of coordination and cooperation with logistics providers because it is the most complex and most important part of selling a product somewhere far away from you. Try to cooperate with the best providers of shipping and transportation services, and it is preferable to cooperate with international companies to arrange shipping and insurance agreements and to save you stress.