First Steps to Exporting

6. Get Your Products to Market

6.1 Identify the most suitable mode of transport for your goods.

• Assess the cost of each option.
• Consider the climatic conditions of the countries the goods pass through.
• Examine how special goods, such as perishables, will be accommodated.
• How crucial is speed of delivery? Some manufacturers will want supplies just before they use them.
• Familiarise yourself with HM Revenue & Customs rules on transportation, such as dangerous goods (see 5.3).

6.2 Freight forwarders can transport goods.

• Forwarders will save you money on transport costs because they consolidate your goods with other consignments. This is useful when you can only provide a part-container load.
• A forwarder assumes responsibility for documentation and books air, rail, shipping and road transport.To find a freight forwarder contact the British International Freight Association on 020 8844 2266.

6.3 Ensure your products' transport packaging and labelling conforms to international requirements.

Get online advice from the Packaging Society.

• Establish the packaging requirements for deliveries to specific countries.
• As your sales grow, ensure your business can cope with the requirements.

6.4 Define responsibility for your products with your freight forwarder.

• You might be responsible for the goods until delivery to your customer.
• Use Incoterms 2000 in your contracts.

6.5 Purchase cargo insurance to cover damage to goods or late or non-delivery.

• Marine cargo insurance will cover your goods while at sea, and usually for the parts of the journey over land.
• Cover typically costs around 1 per cent of the value of the consignments.