Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Chew on these numbers: In 1998, exports from U.S. businesses hit$931 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau stats. Imports fromabroad totaled more than $1 trillion--and in almost every deal, aU.S. importer had a hand in the transaction.
How can you claim your place in the export-import action? Readon for a road map that reveals the route to riches in foreigntrade.
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam wants you to prosper by doing business abroad--and theU.S government provides a wealth of resources, free of charge, toentrepreneurs who need a boost in export-import trade. Start anyhunt for international trade opportunities by checking in with thefeds:
- The SBA's Office of International Trade (http://www.sba.gov/OIT/): Frominformation sources to sources of working capital, the SBA offersplenty of programs to boost small businesses' chances ofexport-import success. The details are spelled out here. Whileyou're at the SBA Web site, don't miss Exporting bySmall Firms (http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/exp_rpt.html).It's a detailed look at the role of small business in U.S.exports.
- Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/indicator/www/ustrade.html):Go here to unearth all the foreign trade stats you can swallow,available free of charge.
- International Trade Administration (http://www.ita.doc.gov): The mostvaluable click at this Department of Commerce site is the TradeInformation Center (http://infoserv2.ita.doc.gov/tic.nsf), afirst stop for info on federal help, plus acres of details onforeign nations and regions. Or for more personalized aid, call(800) USA-TRADE.
- Export-Import Bank (http://www.exim.gov/msbprogs.html):The Export-Import Bank has money to assist in building an exportbusiness; available programs are detailed at this site, or call(800) 565-EXIM. Another plus: The agency holds seminarsnationwide. Get schedule info at (202) 565-3912.
The Basics and Beyond
- ExporTutor (http://web.miep.org/tutor/index.html):A brilliant resource for beginners, this Michigan State UniversityWeb site offers a self-paced tour through everything businessowners need to know about succeeding in exports.
- Trade Easy (http://www.tradeeasy.com): Findbuyers, sellers, trade leads, products available for import andmore at this online trading network for importers andexporters.
- Global Trade Center (http://www.tradezone.com/welcome.html):Search for leads and post info about your business for free.
In The Zone
When it was enacted in 1994, the North America Free TradeAgreement (NAFTA) rewrote the rules of doing business in the UnitedStates, Mexico and Canada. Customs barriers were shattered,establishing the world's biggest free trade zone. Want to seeif there are markets for you in the NAFTA zone? Dig here foropportunities:
- "Overview of NAFTA" (http://www.sice.oas.org/summary/nafta/naftatoc.stm):Read the law's highlights at this site, which was put up by theOrganization of American States.
- NAFTA Center (http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/nafta/center.htm):Have questions about NAFTA? This arm of U.S. Customs is here toprovide all the answers you need. Check out the site or call(972) 574-4061.
- NAFTA Nations (http://aaatrading.com/nafta/index.htm):Find economic data, NAFTA news, links to trade leads, evenaccountants and lawyers with NAFTA expertise.
How Much?
Keep track of what foreign money is worth at The UniversalCurrency Converter Web site (http://www.xe.net/currency),which instantly converts from and to just about anything peopleaccept as money anywhere on the planet.
Hard Copy
Informative books on going global are plentiful, and most largebookstores stock several titles worth reading. Among the bestimport-export books for start-up entrepreneurs:
- Exporting, Importing and Beyond: How To "GoGlobal" With Your Small Business by Lawrence W. Tuller(Adams Media, $9.95, 800-872-5627)
- Building an Import/Export Business by Kenneth D. Weiss(John Wiley & Sons, $19.95, 800-225-5945)
- How to Start an Import/Export Business by Terry andRobert Adams (Entrepreneur Media Inc., $59, 800-421-2300)
Robert McGarvey (rjm@mcgarvey.net), who has dualcitizenship in Ireland and the United States, is such aninternationalist he even likes German food.
