Starting and Growing a Business: Export Readiness

Main Page | Resources | Glossary | Industry Links

Start-up

Growth

Planning for Growth

Accessing Capital

Export Readiness

Monitoring Your Business

Export Assessment | Export Regulations | Export Readiness Checklist

Are You Ready to Export?
...
If you have increased sales or maintained your market share locally then you may want to consider exporting. Exporting may be the next logical step in your growth plan as it offers a chance to tap into markets not available locally.

In preparing your business for export you will need to have a solid exporting plan in place. This plan can only be developed after you have thoroughly researched your chosen market, including demand, demographics, and competition.

Even with strong domestic sales don’t assume that what works at home will work in another country. Country specific regulations and markets must be factored into an export plan.

Even with strong domestic sales don’t assume that what works at home will work in another country. Country specific regulations and markets must be factored into an export plan.

After conducting your market research you must also consider the logistics and legalities of exporting your product or service. This may include transportation costs, packaging and labeling requirements, pricing, tariffs and duties, business numbers and compliance with national and international standards.

Export Assessment

Will You Export?

Marketing, Exporting and Distribution – Here you will find a list of resources to determine marketing, exporting and distribution needs
Exporting Your Products – Are You Export Ready? – Alberta Advantage lists on-line resources for companies considering market opportunities to export their goods and services
ExportSource.ca – Start Here to Get Exporting – This site is a comprehensive source of information and practical tools for new or experienced exporters
Export Able? – Are You Ready to Export? - Export Development Canada has developed a tool to help you research and plan for exporting
Export Basics – This information from Alberta Agriculture and Food offers export readiness tools, export tools, company registration and upcoming events for export based learning
Export Finance Guide – The Export Finance Guide from Export Development Canada helps Canadian small businesses understand and access information tools relating to exporting at each stage of the export transaction cycle

Export Regulations

What Are the Regulations?

Export Regulations and Contacts – This site from the Business Link provides a list that overviews which items have controls placed on them and which department exporters should contact in order to meet the necessary requirements when goods are leaving the country
Agriculture and Food: Export Information - Here you will find export information for Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, Europe and emerging markets
Exporting Requirements – This site form Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada includes information from the Canada Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Border Services Advisory, Health Canada and Department of Justice Canada

Phone the Ag-Info Centre, toll-free in Alberta at 310-FARM (3276), for assistance.

This document is produced in cooperation with AFSC

For more information about the content of this document, contact Kathy Bosse.
This document is maintained by Mary Ann Nelson.
This information published to the web on August 26, 2008.