By Carol Tanner
>> Get started now! Make your topic selection from the list located under REFERENCE GUIDES in the right column.
We’re giving you the key to unlock trade secrets in the importing industry. The START AN IMPORT BUSINESS reference guides are written for quick reading, so you can get back to doing business. The short topics are loaded with links to dozens of crucial sites that professional U.S. importers and customs brokers depend on every day to be successful. These FREE guides will have you working like the pros in no time.
Whether you are an established business owner looking to source products from overseas, or exploring the importing trade as a new business, the reference guides provide the basic answers used daily by everyone in this global industry.
By Carol Tanner
Finding suppliers on the internet will expose you to individuals who are merely trying to scam people for a quick buck. We provide practical steps to take to protect yourself, along with links to government agencies that will keep you informed and
Continue reading Protect Yourself From Scams >>
By Carol Tanner
Looking for toys, furniture or footwear? Look to China. We’ve highlighted the top 10 trading partners exporting goods to the U.S., and have listed their top 5 product categories based on dollar volume. These listings can be helpful in narrowing the search for countries that are supplying a product category in large volume.
Continue reading Top 10 U.S. Trading Partners and Their Products >>
By Carol Tanner
Be careful who you’re dealing with. If you operate your global trade business in the United States, you are prohibited from importing or exporting goods from certain countries or trading with certain business entities or individuals. See what countries and entities are blacklisted.
Continue reading Blacklisted Countries and Entities >>
By Carol Tanner
Know whether your imported product will be impacted by quotas. Quotas established by the U.S. government bring balance with our trading partners. Some quotas result in preferential treatment in which you will save duty fees, while other quotas may increase duties.
Continue reading Know Where You Stand With Quotas >>
By Carol Tanner
You’ve decided on a product to import and the next step is to locate suppliers. But where in the world do you start? We point you in the right direction with powerful online tools and trade
Continue reading In 2 Minutes, Find Key Countries for Your Product >>
By Carol Tanner
We direct you to free online tools where you can find the most profitable products to import, and quickly find your product’s classification code. Learn how much average profit is being made on any product imported from offshore
Continue reading Find Products That Yield Big Profits >>
By Carol Tanner
The steps to clearing customs can be mystifying. We suggest focusing on what you’re good at – sourcing and selling your products – and cut through the red tape by handing this step over to the pro: your customs broker. This reference guides gives highlights of when you can clear customs yourself, and when you should leave it to the
Continue reading Clearing Customs – Demystifying the Process >>
By Carol Tanner
Customs brokers are your partner for success. Every importer must understand the tariff classification of the product being imported. Determining the proper tariff number is not an easy task and is best left to a professional who is knowledgeable in this discipline – the customs
Continue reading The Customs Broker – An Importer’s Best Friend >>
By Carol Tanner
Generally no license is required to become an importer. But there are special categories which will require special import permits. This guide gives a quick overview of when you may need an import permit, or when you need to obtain extra paperwork. Links are included to U.S. trade sites which will make your research
Continue reading Do You Need An Importing License? >>
