How to Start an Import & Export Business

An import and export business matches domestic and foreign buyers and sellers, ensuring all local regulatory requirements are abided by. Dating back to the biblical ages, this trade ensures that products are distributed from countries that have a rich supply of a commodity that other countries lack. Imported/exported goods include anything from beverages and household goods, to everything in between.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start an import & export business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Import & Export Business
  2. Form your Import & Export Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Import & Export Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Import & Export Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Import & Export Business
  7. Get Import & Export Business Insurance
  8. Define your Import & Export Business Brand
  9. Create your Import & Export Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your import & export business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Import and Export Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening an import & export business?

Fortunately, carving out your niche in the global marketplace requires very little start-up capital. The business can be run from a home office. Successful entrepreneurs report starting out with zero capital, while others indicate they incurred costs as low as $5,000 to $25,000. Your basic necessities are: telephone, Internet, a logo, and a website.

If your strategy is to start out as a distributor, you will need to include additional monies in your budget to cover inventory costs.

What are the ongoing expenses for an import & export business?

In addition to low start-up costs, most business owners in the global marketplace experience little to no overhead costs. You will face the standard costs that come with running any business, such as Internet, phone, and website maintenance costs. You will also need to budget for logistics costs, such as transportation of goods. These costs vary, depending upon the item specifics, where it is going, and where it is being transported from.

Who is the target market?

Your target market will vary, depending upon the product being delivered. As a result, market research should be an integral part of your daily routine. Diligence and preparation will ensure you properly identify potential customers, what geographic areas will play a part in your business, and what products offer the highest profit potential.

How does an import & export business make money?

An import & export business receives a commission for each import and export they facilitate.

How much can you charge customers?

Your prices will vary from product to product. There are two factors that will play a part in what you decide to charge: volume and profit on that volume. The goal is to find the sweet spot – mark the product up where you are satisfied with your profit, without exceeding the price consumers are willing to pay for said product. Most importers/exporters have found that sweet spot at 10-15% over their cost.

How much profit can an import & export business make?

The average profit for an individual managing this type of business is $75,000, with many earning upwards of $200,000. There are a number of entrepreneurs who have built multimillion-dollar businesses, employing a staff of 5-10 people.

How can you make your business more profitable?

In this industry, the more involved you are, the more profits you will earn. Some entrepreneurs focus solely on importing, while others focus on exporting. To take full advantage of these opportunities, conduct thorough research and position yourself in the niches that need the most attention.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your import & export business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your import & export business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

The following link contains information regarding federal certification for importing and exporting. It is important to review this information to avoid any legal trouble. 

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an import & export business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Import & Export Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Import & Export Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an import & export business

When building your website, be sure to hire a developer that understands the industry and can set up a SEO-driven site. Your site, combined with an informative blog and social media presence, should help drive customers to your business. As you continue to build sound business relationships in the industry, word of mouth will prove to be a significant resource for new clients.

Additionally, check with Chambers of Commerce, trade consulates, embassies, and the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) Gold Key Matching Service. These organizations can help match you with potential overseas customers, distributors, transporters, and business collaborators.

How to keep customers coming back

As previously mentioned, your business’ success is reliant on the relationships you build and foster. Once a sale is final, follow up with the client. Strong global customer service is critical and will ensure clients keep coming back, even if their experience was less than stellar.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The individual who is seeking a unique opportunity that requires very little start-up capital, low overhead costs, and has significant room for expansion should consider this business endeavor. The entrepreneur who feels passionately about a particular product that is currently not being imported/exported, or is just now getting recognized, will be that much more likely to succeed.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an import & export business?

While some entrepreneurs are happy with just importing/exporting one product, many choose to move on and work with several trades. This is a great way to expand your business and reputation. It does, however, take hard work and understanding your market. Market research will be an integral part of your day, as your business’ success relies on your ability to identify the best products, as well as the best potential foreign market for each product or service. The U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade and the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s Data and Analysis are both great resources for this research.

Your research doesn’t stop there, however. Once you’ve identified your goods and/or services, you will need to learn everything there is to know about that product. Which manufacturer makes the best? Are there improvements that could be made? Who will your supplier be?

The most important component to your business is the contacts you make and the relationships you are able to foster. Your research should help you in identifying upcoming trends. Once you’ve determined that, it’s time to get to work making the connections that will help you deliver those products to countries in need. There are a number of resources to assist you in making those connections. Commercial attachments for foreign consulates are often a great place to start, as their primary purpose is to establish outlets in the United States. The U.S. embassies in foreign countries are also a great resource, as are the Chambers of Commerce for your target cities.

A typical day in the life of an importer/exporter includes the following:

  • Reviewing agent fulfillment, initiating any necessary changes.
  • Reviewing all email inquiries, answering any questions that may come up.
  • Reading news sources to determine if any changes and/or movement has occurred in your industry. Making decisions based on this movement.
  • Analyzing movement and issues to determine your strategy moving forward. Devising a plan for new business opportunities.
  • Attending networking events. This will often include travel and/or phone conversations with partners overseas.

While there are a number of items you will need to address each day, part of the appeal to many in this industry is that no two days are alike.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful import & export business?

Managing a successful import/export business requires attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills. The bulk of your day will be spent selling, marketing, and building business relationships, so it’s important that you fully understand the market. Your ability to root out and build relationships based on market needs is what will set your business apart from the rest. The Institute of International Commerce offers a training course that will help you understand the intricacies of trading in the global marketplace.

What is the growth potential for an import & export business?

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the global trade industry offers significant opportunity, both now and moving forward. $1.2 trillion in goods are imported annually, while $772 billion in goods are exported from the United States each year. 95% of this trade is represented by the small importer/exporter, leaving a significant amount of room for those interested in entering the industry.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an import & export business?

Successful import & export business owners caution against trying to take on too much at first. Identify a product or two that is in high demand and start there. This will give you a feel for the market, best practices, and help you determine the most effective methods for ensuring maximum profit margins. Large email campaigns will be a significant part of your business strategy. Do not send these emails as mass emails. Those using this strategy are often identified as spammers and are blacklisted from the market entirely.

How and when to build a team

Most import/export business owners are able to manage everything themselves, eliminating the need for employees. It is recommended, however, that you consult with an attorney or financial advisor to ensure all business is conducted by the books, yielding as much profit as possible. If marketing is not your strong suit, it is also recommended that you consider hiring a marketing team that is well-versed in the import/export industry. Most importantly, entrepreneurs realizing the most significant success consider each business connection an extension of their team, treating them as such.

Useful Links

Further Reading