Work out how exporting can help your business and what you hope it will deliver. Do your research – you need to know there is a demand for your product.

Check out the in-country competition – if there are several companies doing what you do, it might be hard to gain a foothold.

What have your competitors done that worked, or didn’t work? What can you do better, and is there an opportunity they have missed?

Do your sums to make sure you can grow profitably. Remember to factor in currency fluctuations.

Read our Delivery Matters reports to understand the behaviour of online shoppers in key international markets:

Download Delivery Matters reports now

98% of Tamebay sellers chose ‘ease and price of shipping and fulfilment’ as the most important logistical reasons for choosing where to sell overseas.*

Make sure you can deliver your product and won’t be hampered by red tape or rules on prohibited and restricted goods.

Work out how you will sell your product. Make sure there is a good infrastructure like a well-known market place such as eBay.

Check on in-country customs entry levels – i.e. the maximum value of goods you can sell before you attract charges. Be clear about your VAT responsibilities and decide whether you or the recipient will take on that responsibility.

You might already be using Click & Drop for domestic postage. If so, you’ll know how easy it is to keep track of shipping with our automated tool. You can even connect it to all your online channels and marketplaces.

Exporting is easy with Click & Drop too. Find out how to complete customs information using Click & Drop.

Pick a country that speaks your language. It makes it easier to maintain good customer service, plus dealing with suppliers will be much easier.

Once you’ve selected a target market you need to get to know the local culture and laws. Build up your contacts by attending trade fairs.

It’s best to focus on one or two overseas markets at first. Keep learning as you go, and seek feedback from your new customers and supply-chain partners.

With the international trading landscape changing significantly over the past few years, providing the correct customs data is more important than ever. 

 
Electronic Customs Pre-advice Data

It is now mandatory to provide electronic customs pre-advice data and an S10 barcode when you ship abroad. You are also required to provide a CN22 or CN23 and the information electronically in the pre advice you send to us.

Some countries are applying penalties and delaying or returning items that are sent without the required electronic data and physical S10 barcode attached.

Use one of our data-compliant shipping platforms – Click & Drop, Pro Shipping or API shipping – to automate this process and take the stress out of electronic customs.

Why are we asking you to provide electronic customs data?

Electronic customs data is required to make sure that existing, emerging and future legislative, security and customs requirements overseas are met. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) requests that customs forms are completed accurately and in full. This will include the sender and recipient information and details on the contents within the parcel. Doing so can help enable a more efficient customs clearance process abroad and lead to faster delivery times.

They will help you evaluate your products or services for international trade, identify export opportunities, and put an infrastructure in place to support your plans.

Go to the BCC website