How to Become an Export Broker
- 1). Create an office. You will need to purchase a computer and high-speed Internet access, a fax machine with a dedicated phone line, a two-line phone and international long distance service. You will need this equipment to successfully conduct business as an export broker. The good thing about being an export broker is that you can work out of your home or lease office space. Choose the option that is best for you.
- 2). Educate yourself about the export business. Get trained through a certification program. For example the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) offers both on-site certification programs and correspondence courses to fit your schedule. You will learn all of the necessary export regulations, trade and transportation practices.
- 3). Research the export market. Choose the products that you would like to deal with as an export broker. Base your decision on the market demand for the product and the ease of exportation. For example exporting laptop computers to the Caribbean may be a good market because of the good trade relations between Caribbean counties and the United States and the high demand for laptops by those countries.
- 4). Find customers. Contact companies that sell the type of products you specialize in and offer them your services. You can find many potential clients by researching the foreign market for a strong demand for the products you specialize in and locating the corresponding manufacturers in your country. Explain to your potential clients the benefits of exporting including: an increased market share, higher profit potential and increased brand awareness.
- 5). Contact the companies in the foreign markets to offer them your products for sale. Offer them the terms and have them sign the contracts before shipping your client's products. Follow and obey all of the trade regulations and requirements of both your country and the foreign country before organizing the exportation of any product.
- 6). Sign up with all available trade organizations. Join as many organizations related to international trade as possible. This is necessary to keep up with the changing export market. These organizations will keep you informed about changes not only with the export market in the U.S., but also the changes that happen in foreign markets that can affect your business. An example of a well-known organization that will be beneficial for you to join is the American Association of Exporters and Importers.
Source...