Exports: how do you get started and what are the steps?

How does export work?

An export is a good or service manufactured in one country that is sold to another country’s buyer. International trade is created by exports and imports.

In the modern economy, exports are important since they offer people and companies more sales channels for their products. Foreign policy and diplomacy have a key role to play in fostering economic trade, encouraging exports and imports for the benefit of all commercial stakeholders. International trade has become easier, more efficient and more accessible thanks to eCommerce. Exports facilitate international trade and boost local economies by creating jobs, production, and revenue, but they are also a higher risk due to payment methods such as open accounts, prepayments, and shipping, which involve higher levels of complexity and take longer to process than payments from locals.

Online shopping has grown rapidly among Israelis in recent years. Statistica estimates that in 2020, Israel will import NIS 15 billion in personal goods – a 10x increase from six years ago. The amount was then estimated at NIS 1.3 billion. In spite of the growth in the personal import sector in Israel, the personal export sector has yet to reach its full potential. Estimates in the industry indicate about 300,000 small exporters, recognized on international trade sites.

Israel’s most popular exports abroad are Judaica products, cosmetics from the Dead Sea, art, food, and clothing. 

People around the globe can export products through global trading platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress; others do so through their own websites. Nevertheless, since these are mostly small businesses, there are many logistical challenges: Inventory must be stored, packaged, transportation, and borders need to be crossed, and other challenges such as language, licensing, and taxation must be overcome. There are many operations that small businesses cannot perform due to a lack of knowledge, manpower and logistical facilities.

Thinking of exporting? There are a number of topics you want to know before you start, so how do you get started and how do you do it right?

Taking a closer look at Israel’s export laws

You should visit the websites of the various government ministries that define laws related to exports from Israel before starting your business and find out whether there are restrictions on the export of items of the type you market or whether preliminary inspections are needed.

For example, It is worthwhile to ensure that Israel’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Industry and Trade do not restrict food exports.

Checking Restrictions in Target Countries

Any law, regulation, policy, or government practice designed to protect domestic products from foreign competition is a trade barrier. Generally, foreign trade barriers are measures and policies imposed by the local government to limit the exchange of goods and services.

The challenges facing exporting companies are unique, and they must allocate considerable resources to researching foreign markets and modifying products to meet local regulations and demands.

 

Contract signing stage

International trade is especially important to sign a contract of sale because the buyer and seller have differing interests as well as different cultures, languages, commercial norms, and laws. It is important to specify in the contract of sale the agreement on the terms of international trade – the IncoTerms, which are 13 conditions that have been defined in the framework of the terms of international trade to bring common ground between the differences in procedures, rules, and regulations between traders from different countries. Transport, insurance, and related expenses for products traveling from the seller to the buyer are clearly specified in these conditions.

 

Picking the right international forwarder

International forwarders should be chosen carefully.

Gaash Worldwide is a long-standing professional transportation company, which handles over half a million packages each month.

With Gaash Worldwide, you are not only guaranteed a smooth transportation experience, but also help with the accompanying shipping forms that have to be filled out for the various authorities, such as airlines and customs authorities. There are different requirements for details that must be included in the vendor account form in each country. Gaash Worldwide provides advice on filling out these forms, and sometimes even helps fill out the forms on behalf of the exporter.

Furthermore, Gaash Worldwide offers assistance in identifying business opportunities and in international business development. Gaash Worldwide facilitates export processes by providing tools and processes to help understand these processes.