Anyone have any experience/comments re import/export business?

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your reply. Some comments/questions:

> First, Jim Straw also has an excellent book
> on exporting. You can read more about it
> here:
> http://www.businesslyceum.com/sellamerican.html
> (I highly recommend it)

I was aware of this book - my only concern was it might be too "americanized" if you know what I mean...some time ago, I emailed Jim and asked him if his information could be applied to the Australian market. His reply was along the lines of "It's been written primarily for an American audience"...

...so I wanted to hunt around a bit more before I jumped in and parted with any cash.

You recommend this (and Dennis' stuff too - also American) so speaking as a fellow Aussie are you confident in saying that this information can easily be tailored for the Australian market?

> As for any "advice"... that would
> ultimately depend on WHAT you wanted to
> import or export.

Good point and one I have already considered. To be honest, I don't have *anything* in mind at this point...that's why I was hoping that the resource that I chose would show me how to this, research the market for potential products and so on - looking over Jim's sales page again, it looks like he covers this - my concern is that this information might be too general (I need specifics) and again not suitable for the Aussie market?

>Besides all that... importing can cost you
> big dollars. Far easier to export - or
> pre-sell the product you want to import and
> then import it.(There is a chap in Melbourne
who did just that......)

Regarding importing, what you say here is exactly what I had in mind. ie. pre-sell *before* importing...I definitely would not go down the path of importing product unless I had a committed buyer who has paid cash up-front.

Any more info on the sort of products this guy in Melbourne was importing?

Thanks for your comments Michael :>)

regards,
Adam

> Adam:

> First, Jim Straw also has an excellent book
> on exporting. You can read more about it
> here:
> http://www.businesslyceum.com/sellamerican.html
> (I highly recommend it)

> As for any "advice"... that would
> ultimately depend on WHAT you wanted to
> import or export.

> For instance... say you decide you want to
> import cosmetics. First, you need to get all
> the CAS Numbers of the ingredients, then you
> need to see if they are allowed into the
> country. If they are, you can go ahead and
> import. If they are not, you need to apply
> for a license to bring the chemical in (Yes,
> I know it is an ingredient, but you still
> need a license to bring it in.) The license
> will allow you to import X kilos... maybe
> 1,000 - which would allow you to import a
> lot of cosmetic with 0.5gram of ingredient
> per product.

> If you want to import "vitamins"
> than you will have the same rule apply. AND,
> you may also need to "list" your
> product. At $400 per product even if the
> ingredient is fine and even if it is exactly
> the same as another product, it will cost
> your $4,000 to list ten different vitamin
> products. So one 500 strength Vitamin C will
> cost $400, one 1000 strength vitamin C will
> cost $400, one 500 strength vitamin C with a
> different name will cost $400, and so on and
> so forth. (Next time you are in the chemist
> or health store, have a look at each bottle
> of vitamins. Each one cost $400 to
> "list".)

> Some products may cause you grief when they
> arrive - what if there is dirt on the tires
> of tractors you bring in? Customs isn't in
> the "detailing" business. And they
> won't let it into the country to be washed.
> So back it goes. Not even getting offloaded.

> Wood may not be allowed in. Depending on
> type and origin.

> Ivory is totally out.

> Drugs are a no no. Remember the CAS Numbers.
> For instance... there is a new soda out
> called Naughty Boy. It contains
> opium/morphine. No more than you would get
> if you had nanna's poppy seed cake. But it
> is there nonetheless. A product like that
> would not be allowed in.

> Besides all that... importing can cost you
> big dollars. Far easier to export - or
> pre-sell the product you want to import and
> then import it. (There is a chap in
> Melbourne who did just that. He would get
> hold of a product sample, run around like a
> chook without a head and presell a bunch.
> When he had pre-sold a container load he
> would bring it into the country. Made a lot
> of money. Worked hard. Involved selling.)
> You don't need to buy a container load to
> start though... a box full is enough -
> providing there is more than one in a box.
> :o)

> Personally, I would not buy a product from
> the EBC. I have my reasons and won't go into
> them here. Go with Jim's course and Dennis'
> course - download Dennis' primer too, it has
> good info. Go with the info from people who
> do it.

> Michael Ross