The prosperity of a country - and on a smaller scale, that of a company - depends on a fair balance between imports and exports. The two are inseparable because of the scarcity or even the absence of certain raw materials necessary for a multitude of manufacturing industries from here and elsewhere or derived products.

Mais avant de se lancer dans l’import-export, voici trois points à considérer tirés du site de la BDC (Banque de développement du Canada) :

Assess the situation of his business in terms of finances, leadership, team and products and services. Make sure you have a solid back when developing an export or expansion project abroad. Likewise, knowing how to surround yourself with competent human resources in this area, in order to support management, but also sales and marketing departments, for example, is essential. A product or service distinct from the competition, or adaptable, will facilitate access to the target market.

Target accessible and promising markets. Not every opportunity is worth taking. Some have more risks than benefits. Knowing distinguish objectively time savings and money to those who wait, especially as the regulation and red tape (paperwork, standards, etc.) vary from country to country. The local culture and customs can also influence all steps, including packaging rules. Participate in a trade mission helps take the pulse of such codes and requirements.

Develop an attack plan and take action. The time has come to enter the target market using a pre-established strategy with specific objectives. The idea is to establish credibility with an international clientele, but also with lenders and other investors who can intercede in our favor when financing is required.

Advantages/disadvantages

Because there are always two sides to a medal, let's review the main, often obvious, attractions of import-export. Importing introduces new products, preferably, in order to secure a market. The idea is then to register as the exclusive distributor for said product in a given territory, especially if the consumer already expects to pay more for it.

Exporting allows you to expand your market, to make profitable your investments and to improve the management of the company by the payments required before delivery. A business can grow in value more quickly.

Puisqu’une personne avertie en vaut deux, voici maintenant les difficultés pouvant se présenter. Il y a toute la panoplie des risques : juridiques et culturels, mais aussi liés au transport (casse, retard, vol), aux quantités (minimums de commande, surstockage, invendus), et à la qualité (non-conformité, problèmes de communication entraînant erreur de commande). S’ajoutent à cela la structure de prix, qui doit tenir compte de l’amortissement des frais entre le quai de départ et celui d’arrivée (transport, logistique, dédouanement, autres intermédiaires), de même que le coût des assurances, et de cela, personne ne souhaite se passer.

Maritime transport tops the list

C’est par voie maritime que passeraient 95 % du commerce international. Les navires marchands possèdent une grande capacité de chargement et même s’ils sont plus lents à joindre une destination, leur coût réduit et leur fiabilité compensent largement.

And who says maritime transport immediately thinks of maritime container for sale. The main motivations for this choice are due to the ease of handling they represent. Loading and unloading a vessel takes less time. And since the port infrastructure and merchant ships are equipped for the maneuver, the risk of breakage is reduced. Theft is also almost ruled out because the goods are quickly hidden.

Of different dimensions adapting to the specific needs of each, sea containers can also be modified on demand or have certain characteristics such as providing a fridge at controlled temperature, being weather resistant or being insulated according to the highest standards. As the use of a container is not limited to the transport of goods, it is also possible to arrange it to accommodate, for example, a laboratory, a kiosk, a farm, or even a house!