Customer Reviews

How to Open & Operate a Finanacially Successful Import Export Business: With Companion CD-ROM

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If the thought of staring an Import Export business seems intimidating, this book will break the process down in simple steps so that it's not too overwhelming. It's a necessary read for those who are experienced in business, but have little industry-specific expertise or for those who have trade experience, but little business or management knowledge.
It outlines every step to starting an Import Export business rather simply, so that a beginner would know exactly what to expect. Some sections of the book include advice that seems a little obvious, such as the importance of securing Internet access at an office, a list of office supplies or reminding readers to bring a passport while traveling abroad. However, other sections of the book explain complicated subjects such as trade regulations in foreign countries and details about the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. There are numerous helpful charts, copies of forms and sample budgets. It's also useful that the book includes the Web site addresses to find trade rates, product information, industry social networking sites and new regulations. For its comprehensive list of references alone, it's worth hanging on to even after a business is up and running.
The case studies were probably the most interesting aspect of the book. These short narratives explain one particular aspect of the industry from the perspective of a business owner. It helps add real-world relevance to the nuts-and-bolts details

As a friend of mine runs a successful import-export business from the USA to the Philippines and back, I was very curious to see what makes this venture tic- This book hits it on the head as it's everything my friend does, and now I'm REALLY considering starting up my own import-export business after reading this book. This sort of business really does make sense- with Europeans wanting cheap blue jeans, Americans wanting unique Japanese goods, and the people of the Philippines needing affordable American necessities, this comprehensive title keeps track of all of the important things that a business owner in this field should know before jumping in. There are TONS of legal hoops to jump through and this book makes it easier while continuing to be an interesting read on its own.

With so many important legal hurdles and financial issues that would arise from this career, this book does a good job of outlining potential problems, helps you lie out plans for your business future, and (perhaps my favorite part, since I am not yet in the business!) gives brilliant success stories of importers and exporters who have found their niche and exploited it to make TONS of money. If you are considering this line of work, or have been impressed like I have with a friend's accomplishments in this field, this book will hold your hand the entire way. Be careful, read the book from end-to-end and do your research and you'll be on your way too!

With more than 25 years of experience in the business, Maritza Manresa, gives us a practical book on How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Import Export Business. The book includes a CD ROM, that not only contains every form mentioned in the book, but a pre-written editable Business Plan in MS Word.

Beginning with a brief history of goods-laden camels, wagon trains, and pirates to today's internet driven enterprises, Manresa provides a step by step primer for anyone considering a business in import and/or export. She covers the rules and regulations that cover this international business venture; organizations and agencies that will keep you apprised of changes in law; things to consider in your pricing of goods; and more.

Seasoned entrepreneurs and novices who have never run a business of their own will find the answers to their questions here. If you sit and just read the whole book, it is easy to get overwhelmed, so don't. I suggest that you read with a method, so you can make a few up-front decisions. How deep do you want to go? Pages 36-39 help you determine your role. What is the difference among the designations of Agent, Distributor, or Manufacturer? Which do you want to be? Do you want to Import (Chapter 7) or Export (Chapter 8)? These two chapters will help you identify your niche and find the right products for you. Once you make these decisions, you can go back to the table of contents and cherry pick your reading accordingly.

Manresa is thorough and covers every question you could possibly have about this fascinating and lucrative business of import/export.

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful import
Export Business: With Companion CD-ROM
By: Manresa, Maritza
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

Review by: Aleksandra Kisilenko


Import and export is a big business. Many people are involved in it. It is a great business to be part of. How to Open and Operate a Financial Successful Import Export Business: With Companion CD-ROM explains all the basics to starting an import export. If you are interested to make money in those fields, this book is exactly for you.

This book got a five out of five rating for many reasons. First of all the book is well written and well organized. The great thing about it is the easy to understand instructions and examples. The companion CD-ROM contains forms templates, important legal documents related to your business such as articles of incorporation, fictitious name registration, etc.

If you choose this book, you will learn a lot of important things:

How to spend your start-up money wisely

How to determine the type of business you will operate and your role in the international trade industry.

How to present your business and what it is all about from the beginning of your plan.

How to become familiar with the various sources of financing that will provide you with the capital to successfully operate your business.

How to manage that investors do not have to be paid back if your company goes bankrupt.

How to take into consideration the country where the buyer is located when deciding whether to offer open account terms to a new customer.


I recommend this book to anyone who needs guidance on starting Successful Import Export Business.

Maritza Manressa, experienced in the field of international trade, promises a step-by-step approach to establishing and successfully operating an import-export business. She starts at the very beginning, with information on how to set up an office, create a business identity, set up an accounting system, decide what role you want to play - agent, distributor or manufacturer, select the best location for the business, and choose the right legal structure.

A business plan is a must and Manressa provides detailed description of each section of one for an import-export business. Also included is comprehensive information on how to establish a budget for the business and operate within it to ensure success, in addition to the various types of financing available to get you started, how to go about securing that financing, and the various methods of payment import export businesses use.

An entire chapter is devoted to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, a standardized list of all the goods that can be traded and the tariff rates associated with them. Details specific to importing and exporting are included in subsequent chapters, as well as information on how to market and advertise the business; government regulations you need to be aware of; how to conduct the business in an ethical manner, given some of the corruption and unfair labor practices that exist abroad; the individuals, agencies and organizations available to advise and assist you; and the best ways to keep up-to-date with changes in this volatile industry.

Case studies sprinkled throughout the book provide real-life examples of individuals who operate successful import-export businesses. A big bonus is the CD-ROM that comes with the book, containing all of the forms referenced therein, as well as an outline in MS Word that can be used as a template for creating a business plan.

How to Open an Import Export Business is well written, logically organized, and comprehensive reference that indeed takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up and operating a successful import-export business.

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Import/Export Business
4 stars

Many economists contend that recovery from the deepest recession America has experienced since the 1930s depends heavily on our ability to increase and improve our trading activities with other countries. In basic terms, the more this country exports, so the argument goes, the more favorable will be our trading position and the stronger our economic recovery. International trade is growing and increasingly due to the Internet, becoming more complex. Setting up an efficient and profitable import/export business is a crucial first step in this process.
"How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Import/Export Business" is a well-thought out, step-by-step handbook to establishing a viable trading business. The virtue of this guide is its no-nonsense approach to understanding the needs of people entering the international trading business.
What's important to business people looking to set up an import/export operation is to know exactly how to get started and how to get going, one step at a time. Thus, on the most basic level, this means knowing how to obtain a business identification number, determining whether the business is going to concentrate on being a distributor, an agent or a manufacturer and then determining the legal structure of the business.
In easy-to-understand language, this book handles the nitty-gritty of the import/export business, providing potential business operators with the confidence to turn a fantasy notion to launch the business (never an easy decision) into actuality.

Very comprehensive. This book will be beneficial fo the US exporters/importers or those who would like to tap the US market. The facts and sources are updated and specific.

Trillions of dollars in stuff cross the United States border every year. Ninety-seven percent of this stuff is moved by those like you and me: small businesspeople. Manresa's How to Open and Operate a Successful Import/Export Business is a great way to sort out the details when entering this huge industry.

Manresa's wide perspective on the subject allows the use of specific examples and case studies without narrowing the viewpoint. But one reason why this book is indispensable for start-up traders is its assistance with forms: product classification and sample forms make the bureacracy simpler. And although U.S. Customs is at the center of the action, they're not the only agency involved in the import and export industry. Regulatory organizations, trade associations, and legal administrations handle every port of trade. Though each has ways of helping you along, each agency has its own paperwork regime. Yet despite the stranglehold of red tape, volatility is the watchword.

Paradoxes like these are the kind that Manresa shows us in her comprehensive start-up guide. Once you enter the field as an agent, in time you can become a distributor or even a manufacturer. But the only way to stay afloat is to follow Manresa's advice to read ahead and anticipate obstacles.

Clever deal-making tips from an insider on getting ahead in the export industry, improving delivery, managing the global market, opening and using a foreign-trade zone, marketing and advertising. Manreza even addresses social and environmental concerns-labor practices, product safety, and pollution issues-without becoming politically charged.

For those who have opened their warehouse, registered their business, shook hands with international partners, and determined their financing scheme-the chance to play the massive shell-game of trade is rewarding. Make this book your import/export business partner.