Building an Import/Export Business, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Kenneth D. Weiss (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471177873 | ISBN-13: 978-0471177876 | Publication Date: August 5, 1997 | Edition: 2

Foreign trade is a billion dollar business in the United States —and growing. This easy-to-follow guide to starting and building a successful import or export business is packed with invaluable insights and practical advice on tapping into the lucrative global markets. Covering all the bases, from start-up considerations and operational procedures to marketing techniques and trade agreements, this completely updated and expanded edition of Building an Import/Export Business provides essential details on:

• Determining whether the import/export business is right for you —twenty key questions you should answer before diving in
• Setting up your business —opening a bank account, establishing your office, obtaining financing, setting up an accounting system
• Finding buyers —proven strategies to pinpoint your target market
• Understanding money matters —methods of payment in international trade, export credit and credit insurance, foreign currency transactions
• Handling documentation —commercial, banking, transportation, insurance, and government formalities documents
• Taking advantage of trade pacts —GATT, WTO, NAFTA, FTAA

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Foreign trade is a billion dollar business in the United States --and growing. This easy-to-follow guide to starting and building a successful import or export business is packed with invaluable insights and practical advice on tapping into the lucrative global markets. Covering all the bases, from start-up considerations and operational procedures to marketing techniques and trade agreements, this completely updated and expanded edition of Building an Import/Export Business provides essential details on: Determining whether the import/export business is right for you --twenty key questions you should answer before diving in Setting up your business --opening a bank account, establishing your office, obtaining financing, setting up an accounting system Finding buyers --proven strategies to pinpoint your target market Understanding money matters --methods of payment in international trade, export credit and credit insurance, foreign currency transactions Handling documentation --commercial, banking, transportation, insurance, and government formalities documents Taking advantage of trade pacts --GATT, WTO, NAFTA, FTAA

About the Author

KENNETH D. WEISS is the owner of Plans and Solutions, a corporation that helps importers, exporters, and other firms with business planning, marketing, analysis, and contacts. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and has been an importer and exporter, lecturer on international trade, and consultant to numerous private firms and government organizations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (August 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471177873
• ISBN-13: 978-0471177876
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,729,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Import / Export - Ambitious, Adventurous & Outrageous, July 22, 2004

By 

Miguel Hidalgo (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building an Import/Export Business, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Finally, a dynamic and realistic source for the entrepreneur who is taking a peek at launching an import / export enterprise.

Kenneth D. Weiss is careful when to offer realistic scenarios, facts and features over and above the theory taught in school. The newcomer to this industry will be coached by a teacher from the "university of hard knocks," learn about potential problems that will happen, and apply damage control when problems do arise.

For example, rather than scrambling about on all the different steps to be taken before opening an import business (which raises costs), he wisely suggests how to quickly negotiate samples and just "send the money order, with your letter ordering samples, and by registered airmail" (keep initial costs low). He's right! There is always a chance that the exporter won't reply and you will lose your money. So what. Next time, use better judgment. It is part of the learning curve.

Step one: Start VERY small. Do not get snarled on a maze of procedures.

Step two: Take it slowly and be meticulous and methodical about your new enterprise by adding the proper pieces (record your costs!) that are necessary to do it right.

I highly recommend this book! It is clear, concise, and a delight to read.

[REVIEWER UPDATE 13JAN06] I launched a new business. This book has proven to be invaluable. If you begin with an entitlement attitude that someone owes you a living, or you believe in only working 9 - 5 hours, you will burn. You must have an entrepreneurial "shoot the prisoners" adventurous, but disciplined mentality. Initially, begin with your own hard work (once you are profitable, then delegate and hire experts for daily operations). Plan to be a 1-man circus. Then, you will be rewarded commensurate to the amount of risk you are willing to absorb.

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Better Book for Starter, I Promise, April 28, 2003

By 

"ischnitzler" (Monroe, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building an Import/Export Business, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I bought a whole library of Ex/Im titles to learn the trade, and I must tell you that starters in this business will not find a better book.

It is very well written, holds your hands, yet very entertaining and indeed you learn the whole business of Export-Import. A decent high-school student can read through this book and right away open his own Ex/Im startup. And by the way, there is absolutely no riches overnight. If you hussle, and stick with it, you'll triumph.

Isaac

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of top 3 or 4 books for home-based importers/exporte, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Building an Import/Export Business, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Written simply with practical scenarios and information. This is a the book to start with but you will find yourself referring to it often later also, years later. Import/export courses are hard to find - mostly learned from experience in the industry or by reading. We feel this is the best book on importing AND exporting avaiable in the USA.