Advantages and disadvantages of exporting
How can I start exporting?
First steps and early considerations before you decide to start selling outside Northern Ireland.
While you may be thriving in the home market, bear in mind that you will need different skills within your business to successfully start exporting.
Starting to export
You can start exporting by answering the following questions:
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Can you objectively analyse your own business and its strengths and weaknesses? Before you start, research your intended markets and analyse where the gaps are in your business.
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Do you speak any languages? If you can speak to and understand your customers in their native tongue, it may prevent problems and misunderstandings.
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How strong are your logistics and management? If you start trading overseas, the longer delivery distance will highlight any weaknesses in these systems.
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Have you got a management team in place who can run the home market successfully while you devote time to building an international business? Or is there someone else in your business who is better suited to the overseas development?
Support available for exporting
There are many sources of advice and support available to help you start exporting. Invest Northern Ireland runs a number of programmes to support businesses who are thinking of exporting.
Resources and support are available for export market research and while it may be tempting to carry out a market visit straightaway, it may be a good idea to contact Invest Northern Ireland first.
Help is available to businesses who want to sell their goods or services outside Northern Ireland. Services include:
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an assessment of your readiness for trading outside Northern Ireland
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help with fact-finding visits
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trade show research in your target market
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practical support from businesses that are already trading outside Northern Ireland
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Is my product suitable for exporting?
Deciding if your product is right for selling outside Northern Ireland.
It's essential to carry out thorough export market research before you start selling outside Northern Ireland. Entering new markets can boost your turnover and your profit. However, you need to plan carefully to minimise any risks to your business.
Establishing if your product is suitable for exporting
Start by making sure that:
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there is a demand for your product in your target market
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you understand who would buy it - and why
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there is a route to market eg. via an agent or distributor
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you understand how you will communicate with your customers - before, during and after the sale
Read more about how you can manage the risks of exporting.
Understanding your market through export research
To gain this essential insight, you'll need:
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to access market data on the potential size of your market
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an understanding of the competitive situation in your target market
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knowledge of how to communicate with your potential customers
Read more about researching export markets.
Invest Northern Ireland can provide access to detailed information for researching export markets and opportunities for all businesses in Northern Ireland. They can help with finding the market information needed to compete in a global marketplace. This includes offering information on sales leads, key markets and businesses. Read more about Invest NI research support.
Read Country guides: exporting to the EU and Country guides: exporting outside the EU.
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Advantages and disadvantages of exporting
Advantages and disadvantages of trading outside Northern Ireland and tax considerations.
Exporting outside Northern Ireland can change your business. Like any fundamental change to the way you trade, there are risks as well as benefits you should consider. You should weigh them up before starting to move into overseas markets.
Advantages of exporting
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You could significantly expand your markets, leaving you less dependent on any single one.
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Greater production can lead to larger economies of scale and better margins.
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Your research and development budget could work harder as you can change existing products to suit new markets.
Disadvantages of exporting
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Unless you're careful, you can lose focus on your home markets and existing customers.
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Your administration costs may rise as you may have to deal with export regulations when trading outside the European Union.
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You will be managing more remote relationships, sometimes thousands of miles away.
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In overseas markets, you may lose some of the control that you are used to at home.
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You will need to think of your new market differently to the home market. They will be different customers with their own reasons for buying your products.
There are ways you can manage the risks of exporting.
Tax considerations when exporting
You will have different responsibilities for VAT depending on whether you sell to other European Union (EU) countries or export your goods outside of the EU.
If you sell to other countries in the EU, you must keep records and submit details of these sales on your VAT return. If you have a high level of sales to EU countries, you must complete an Intrastat Supplementary declaration. Read an introduction to Intrastat.
If you sell to countries outside the EU, you must keep documents that count as proof of export. These must identify:
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the exporter
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the customer
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the goods and their value
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the export destination
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the mode of transport and the route.
In both cases, most goods you export will be zero-rated for VAT. You should check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
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Accessing trade networks
Accessing networks for advice and support for trading outside Northern Ireland.
When you're moving into a new business area, it pays to use the advice of people who already have significant experience. Other people who have been through the same processes can offer invaluable advice. They can also warn you of the potential pitfalls.
Invest Northern Ireland runs a suite of services and programmes that can help you to research export markets, develop your export know-how and take part in trade visits and exhibitions. Read more about Invest NI's support for exporting.
Networking
Invest Northern Ireland also supports businesses working collaboratively. This support is designed to make Northern Ireland businesses aware of potential international trading partners and put them in touch wherever possible. Find out more about working collaboratively.
The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry can help you access trade advice and establish contacts in international markets. Connecting You to International Chambers can put businesses in touch with contacts in overseas market. Connecting You to Local Businesses can link you to experienced exporters, so you can benefit from their experience.
Read more about the available network support for exporting.
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Support for international trade
Practical advice and support for businesses starting to trade outside Northern Ireland.
Before you make your first move into an overseas market, it's essential that you get advice and support. This will increase your chances of getting it right first time and significantly boosting your business.
Read more about the available support for exporting.
Invest Northern Ireland has a range of support options open to new and established businesses to help them start trading successfully outside Northern Ireland. It can offer market information to those researching export markets and opportunities. The range includes:
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worldwide company profiles
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agent and distributor details
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sales leads
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online access to factsheets and guides on international trade
Find out about the services available to those researching export markets and opportunities.
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