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Import Export Business Plan

The world has come closer to globalization. And due to this, the demand for foreign goods has increased all over the world. From exotic fruits and vegetables to spices and clothes, or even machinery, you name it, and you’ll find the commodity in the list of things that are being imported or exported.

And although import and export is one of the oldest businesses, it has grown at quite a fast rate in recent years due to technology, faster transport, and eCommerce platforms that make ordering stuff easier.

And as you are here, chances are that you are looking for tips to help you write your import-export business plan and insights into the industry. So let’s get right into it.

If you are planning to start a new import-export business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample Import Export Business Plan  created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new import-export business, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of  logistics and transportation-related business plans .

Industry Overview

In 2019, the US trade industry stood at a humongous value of 5.6 trillion dollars, with 2.5 trillion dollars in exports and 3.1 trillion dollars in imports. And with the increasing impact of globalization, this number isn’t going down anytime soon.

The rise in exports and imports is due to the cultural exchange that is happening due to the internet and social media. Also, industrialization and urbanization in several countries are major contributing factors to the growth of exports.

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Things to Consider Before Writing an Import Export Business Plan

Do thorough market research.

Market research is a necessity before getting started with an export-import business. Do your research on how to export import works, what are the necessary licenses, what are the most profitable items, what are the most viable products or services, what resources you’ll need, and so on.

Pick your niche

Know your target audience, get permits and licenses, chalking out your business plan.

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for, and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample Import Export Business Plan for you to get a good idea about what a perfect import-export business plan should look like and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Import Export Business Plan Outline

This is the standard business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Business Overview
• Products And Services
• 3 Year profit forecast
• Keys to Success
• Startup cost
• Funding Required
• Company Ownership
• Market Analysis
• Competition
• Buying patterns and needs
• Sales Forecast
• Sales Yearly
• Marketing Strategy
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-Even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample import-export business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your import-export business plan pdf or doc file. It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

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Download a sample import export business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free import export business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your import export business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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Import Export Business Plan

Start your own import export business plan

Visigoth Imports Inc

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, opportunity.

Visigoth Imports will provide complete import/export brokerage services including purchase contracts, shipping, warehousing, and delivery scheduling. The company will concentrate on special and cultural imports from Germany and Scandinavia to the unique Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA.  Visigoth will provide trade consultation services to newly started farms created under the Puget Consumers Co-op’s Farmland Fund initiative.

Visigoth will be concentrating on servicing just two types of clients, the gift shops of Leavenworth, Washington, and the farmers of the Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC). For both market segments, we have secured exclusive contracts or endorsements putting us in a unique position to service these niche firms and their needs.

Profitability in these two markets is expected to be excellent, especially in the import section as Leavenworth draws in over a million tourists each year. We expect profitability in the co-op end to be much slower in the first five years of operation, but it too will increase steadily.

Competition

Competition includes all potential importing firms that serve small enterprises such as farms and specialty gift shops. Practically speaking, this means the largest import/export firms such as Fisher-Mills, Eagle Distributing, and other large, nationwide companies will not compete with us. Most other companies tend to be regionally focused. The foreign trade industry is highly fragmented, with a large number of small companies that mainly cater to small firms and a few large companies that seek the largest contracts from companies such as Microsoft, GM, etc. This makes competition within the industry very intense. Through our niche strategy we intend to avoid competition and its drawbacks such as price wars, etc.

 We will become the preferred import company for the unique tourist town of Leavenworth. Visigoth understands that the import shops and restaurants in Leavenworth have special needs of most unique gifts for the million tourists that visit the town annually. Visigoth Imports also understands that the newly launched farms of the PCC farmland fund initiative also have higher costs than most competitors and will need to export their produce at a cost that provides sufficient profit. Visigoth Imports has a combined 35 years of experience working in the import/export business. Our philosophy is in creating a long-term relationship with clients so that the delivery of their products becomes a seamless experience that promotes loyalty.

Expectations

Most of the company’s liabilities will come from outside private investors and management investment, however, we have obtained current borrowing from Bank of America Commercial Investments, the principal to be paid off in two years. A long-term loan through Charter Bank of Nieurich will be paid off in ten years.

The company expects to reach profitability in year 2 and does not anticipate any serious cash flow problems. We expect that about 3,500 units per month will guarantee a break-even point.

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing needed.

We will be getting $84,000 from the four founders. 

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Import Export Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Import-Export Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their import-export businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through an import-export business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your import-export business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start an import-export business, or grow your existing business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your import-export business in order to improve your chances of success. Your import-export business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Import-Export Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an import-export business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the lender will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for social media marketing businesses.

How to Write a Business Plan For an Import-Export Company

If you want to start an import-export business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your import-export business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of import-export business you are operating and its status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an import-export business that you would like to grow, or are you operating import-export companies in multiple markets?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the import-export industry. Discuss the type of import-export business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target market. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of import-export business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of import-export companies:

• Export management company – these types of businesses handle all the details (hiring distributors, handling logistics, creating marketing materials, etc) for companies wishing to export a product.
• Export trading company – these types of businesses determine what products foreign buyers want, and then find domestic companies who make the product.
• Import-export merchant (or free agent) – this type of business buys merchandise from a manufacturer, and resells that merchandise around the world.

In addition to explaining the type of import-export business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the volume of products you have exported or imported, number of import-export contracts signed, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the import-export industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the import-export industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your import-export business plan:

• How big is the import-export industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your import-export business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your import-export business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of import-export business you operate. Clearly, individuals looking to purchase coffee beans online would respond to different marketing promotions than mobile phone manufacturers, for example.

Try to break out your target market in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most import-export companies primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other import-export companies.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes manufacturers with vertically integrated distribution operations, or consumers who prefer to purchase similar products made domestically.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other import-export companies with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be import-export businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• Do they specialize in specific products, or in imports from a specific country or region?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide a wider variety of products or maintain distribution contracts with more manufacturers?
• Will you offer extra services, such as brokerage?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an import-export business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of import-export company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to mobile phones, will your import-export business offer other consumer electronics such as laptops or wireless headphones?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location through which you will sell your imported/exported goods. For example, will you distribute your goods directly to consumers online, or will you maintain supply contracts with retailers and wholesalers? In this section, document each method by which you will sell your products.

Promotions : The final part of your import-export marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your business. The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in trade papers and magazines
• Direct contact with potential clients (cold calling)
• Social media marketing
• Exhibits at Trade Shows

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your import-export business, including determining which products are needed, sourcing product manufacturers, securing and maintaining all necessary licenses and permits, arranging logistics, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sign your 100 th supply contract, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your import-export business to a new market.

Management Team

To demonstrate your import-export business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing import-export companies. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in logistics, or successfully running small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you import from one country, or will you operate globally? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your import-export business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an import-export business:

• Warehouse build-out including fixtures, construction, etc.
• Cost of buying or leasing the necessary transportation equipment (containers, cargo ship / airplane, etc.), or otherwise securing the means of transporting your goods
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your warehouse lease, or contracts with manufacturers and distributors.

Putting together a business plan for your import-export business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the import-export industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful import-export business.

Import Export Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my import export business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Import Export Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of import export business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an import export business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of import export businesses?

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Short Business Plan Example – International Trade, Import-Export Business

International trade, import-export business, short business plan example company executive summary.

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is a trading company based in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION. On its own account and under its own name, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY buys goods from suppliers and sells them to other companies. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY draws in a large pool of customers. In addition, the company offers logistics services for companies. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is active in the fields of strategic sourcing, supply chain management and logistics.

SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER, Managing Director of SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY, has been operating in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION since XXXX and would like to be positioned in the market as a strong export trading partner for similar local companies. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER can look back on many years of professional experience in logistics and has a large network of partners and customers.

In order to strengthen the trust of the suppliers and the customers in the company in the long term, a permanent residence permit of the Managing Director in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE  REGION is indispensable.

1.1.         SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE Trade focus

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY buys goods from industrial companies in order to export them in their own name and for their own account. The company acts as an independent trading company and is active throughout the procurement process. In doing so, decisions are made concerning quantity, assortment, quality, price and suppliers along the value chain. From strategic purchasing of goods to unloading of cargo, the company is involved in the entire trading process and acts interculturally in the two major economic markets of SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION. AND SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE CUSTOMER REGION.

Suppliers in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION have the advantage through the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY that language barriers, technical self-image, quality expectations, intercultural misunderstandings (which can lead to unpredictable costs), delayed delivery times and product defects, are minimized by a professional dealer such as the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY as an active partner.

In logistics, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY acts as an intermediary between local companies and foreing customers. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY offers storage, administration, loading and unloading services to companies, as well as various options for shipping the cargo to foreign countries. Depending on the order, the freight will be shipped by sea or XXXX.

SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY specializes in the following product groups and services:

• Electronics: Purchase and export of sensors, gas transmitters and filters from local companies to foreign companies.
• Chemistry: Purchase and export of cleaning agents for ships, industrial machinery and printers from local companies to foreign companies.
• Mechanical components: Purchase and export of mechanical components of various local companies to foreign companies.
• Consumer Goods (FMCG = Fast Moving Consumer Goods): Purchasing and direct selling in the field of baby food and cosmetics of various local drugstores to foreign end consumers.
• Logistical services: storage, administration, loading and unloading of goods from local companies to foreign companies through air and

1.2.         SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE USPs

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is managed by SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER, who has been working in the import / export sector for many years and has many years of professional experience in logistics in foreign countries. The managing director has a very large network of customers in a wide range of industries in foreign countries, as well as logistics partners. Intercultural challenges faced by local companies exporting to foreign countries are minimized by SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY as a customer in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION through an experienced and multilingual team.

With a keen sense for the consumer market in foreign countries, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER is able to flexibly meet the demand of end users in foreign countries for local products.

In her private life too, the managing director is strongly connected with the location and plans her future in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER owns a multiple dwelling in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION, which is also the location of the company.

SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE Market Analysis

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY specializes in exports to  XXXX as a trading company. Therefore, a market analysis of the target market is indispensable for this business plan. Since XXXX and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION are strong trading partners, the following section analyzes the most important figures for bilateral foreign trade.

SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER recorded an annual trade surplus between XXXX and XXXX. In XXXX, it was still at XX, X billion US dollars and climbed XXXX to XXX billion US dollars high.  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER suffered a brief decline in XXXX as a result of the global economic crisis.

According to XXXX Datareport, export XXXX accounted for about XX% and imports about XX% of gross domestic product. The positive trade surplus shows  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER’s competitiveness despite the ongoing economic crisis.

A closer look at imports to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, shows a downward trend between April XXXX and April XXXX. However, the XX-year comparison shows an upward trend in imports to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. This means that SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER relies on strong trading partners abroad and that local goods continue to be imported into  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER.

[CHART, DIAGRAM, IMAGE or TABLE REMOVED]

Chart X: XX-year statistics incl. Trend line of imports.

Source: www.tradingeconomics.com

On the other hand, the numbers SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION exports to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, show a clear upward trend. Between XXXX and XXXX, the export increased by more than XXX%. The economic relations between SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION are therefore enormously important for both countries, and the figures of both countries confirm the positive growth in bilateral foreign trade.

Chart X: Value of local companies exports in millions of euros to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER

between XXXX and XXXX

Source: Statista

The import figures in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, illustrate that, according to XXXX.com, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION is the fifth most important import partner for SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER after the XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. If one looks at the figures on the other side, i.e. the exports from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, this confirms the fact that demand in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER for products “made in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION” remains high. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY has thus positioned itself in a growing market with good future forecasts. According to the business climate index XXXX of the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY Chamber of Commerce, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER is also listed as XXXX among the most important trading partners for SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION. After the XXXX, XXXX, XXXX and XXXX, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER is in X-position in the area of export.

The most important export goods of SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER were XXXX:

• Vehicles (XX%)
• Machinery and mechanical equipment (XX%)
• Electronics (XX%)
• Optical products (X%)
• Aircraft (X%)

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is already established as a trading company in the sectors of machinery, mechanical components, electronics and optical products and thus meets the demand of three important export groups.

Exports from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER are subject to weaker fluctuations, than imports from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION; and exports are steadily improving. On average, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION exports to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, grew by X, X% while imports from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION grew only by X, X%. These figures also confirm that the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY has positioned itself in a future-proof market.

After a compact analysis of  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER’s foreign trade, the following section details some industries where SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY operates as a trading company.

Electronics – Sensors:

Another field in which the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY handles is the export of sensors to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. According to XXXX, XXXX’s global sensor market grew to XXXX by XX, X%. XXXX, XXXX, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION accounted for only XX, X% of the market share, with SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER holding XX% of the world market in the sensor industry. Between XXXX and XXXX, this industry in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER grew by an average of XX, X%. Once again, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is exporting sensors to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER in a profitable sales market.

Chemistry: SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER has the largest market share in the chemical industry worldwide. Although XX%% of XX% in the years XXXX to XXXX, according to a study from XXXX, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER is still the country with the greatest demand for chemical products and demand may be alone in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, up to XXXX account for around XX% of the world’s market.

FMCG: The Fast Moving Conusmer Goods

SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is active in cosmetics and babycare products. Unlike the products mentioned above however, the FMCG is distributed by the company directly to foreign end customers. The foreign cosmetics market, for example, has brought in more than XX, XX billion US dollars for the first time in XXXX, the XXX name, according to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, XXXX.com, which is a surname of XX% compared to XXXX. Foreign households are increasingly paying attention to which products are being bought at what price, and just under XX% of all households are financially owned by women. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY distributes FMCG directly to foreign consumers. In the field of babycare products, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY serves the great demand of foreign customers for baby milk powder for example. After the milk powder scandals in  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER in the years XXXX and XXXX, in which one hundred thousand babies fell ill and six babies died, many consumers have lost confidence in baby products from  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, and have since been requesting more and more babycare products from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION. According to XXXX, member of the management of the drugstore chain XXXX, the demand for baby powder is greater than the supply (Handelsblatt, XX.X.XXXX). XXXX, XXXX and XXXX all record increases in babycare sales. Baby food products are exported annually from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION to  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, worth XXX million dollars, with a rising trend. The Managing Director plans to offer these consumer goods in the future over a larger E-Commerce offerer such as XXXX.

XXXX is the largest e-commerce provider in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER and operates both bXb (distribution customers) through XXXX.com and bXc (end users) through XXXX.com (an auction house that operates similar to XXXX). The number of buyers at XXXX increased XXXX from XXX million buyers (X. quarter XXXX) to XXX million buyers in X. quarter XXXX. Only in the X quarter, XXXX buyers went back to XXX million. According to XXXX, XXXX has a market share of XX% in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, and is a leader in both, the country and the metropolitan areas. XXXX’s revenues increased from X.XXX million dollars in XXXX to XX.XXX million dollars in XXXX.

In summary, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY has positioned itself in flourishing sales markets in  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, and it can be assumed that the company will be able to increase its supplier base in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION, as well as the customer base in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER over the next few years.

The expansion of direct sales of consumer goods such as baby food and cosmetics by the online giant XXXX will continue to boost sales there in the long term.

2.1.         Competitive Analysis

The competitive situation for the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is favored by the already successful market entry in XXXX as well as by a strategically good market position in both SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION and  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. A multi-lingual team of employees, and the many years of professional experience in the area of import / export and logistics of the Managing Director, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER, make this possible. Through the direct distribution of local FMCG to foreign end customers, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY has focused on a growing market with strong demand.

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is in competition with all local trading companies which export local products to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. However, an exact number can not be quantified here.

2.2.         Target group

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY specializes in foreign growth markets, which have seen increasing sales in recent years. The company exports local products to industries with high demand for local industrial products, with an eye on both, the foreign economy and consumer trends in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. The target group in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, therefore consists of SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER companies that have a need for local imported products. Looking at the direct sales of local FMCG to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER end users, the target group expands here many times over. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY sells babycare products to all expectant or young parents in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER, and cosmetics to all SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER women who shop online.

In SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION, only suppliers of products that meet demand in the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER industry or in the consumer goods market, are eligible for the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY.

2.3.         Risks

The risks for the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY mainly consist of economic fluctuations in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION, as well as currency fluctuations. Currently, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER is in an economic crisis triggered by the devaluation of the national currency by the government in early XXXX. With a weak currency, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER favors exporting its goods abroad because it makes goods cheaper for foreign countries. The stock market boom stimulated by the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER government, and the attempt to stabilize the markets with a billion-dollar purchase of securities, also failed. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER’s central banks saw a reduction in foreign exchange reserves of XXX billion US dollars. The current economic crisis may cause international investment by foreign companies in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER to decline.

In addition, the threatening gestures from XXXX and the collapse of the oil price, are two factors that increase the nervousness of the markets. The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER’s economy depends heavily on the political rulers. Whether these allow a greater liberalization of the markets, is questionable.

SWOT-Analysis

The following SWOT table shows the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a clear format.

The biggest difficulty for the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is the missing resident status of SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION for XX or XX months. Due to the lack of a residence permit, the company is already facing major economic problems that will continue to threaten the business in the future. The consequences of the missing residence status of the managing director are essentially the following:

– Local suppliers and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER customers have no confidence in the company.

– Reliable cooperation, terms of payment or warantees cannot be guaranteed.

– SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER has no self-confidence for future investment or marketing expansion.

– The company cannot hire long-term and qualified employees.

Further points are listed in the following table.

The manager feels because of the lack of residence title little home-connected in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION. She does a great deal of work to learn and understand both the Locallanguage and Localbusiness mentality. Ms. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER strives to improve her Locallanguage skills. In particular, the low level of trust in the manager and thus in the company due to the lack of residence status are serious threats to the company.

4.1.         Supplier

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY works with the following suppliers or customers:

Local suppliers

[CHART, DIAGRAM, IMAGE or TABLE REMOVED]  

Local suppliers in the field FMCG

4.2.         Customer

Foreign customer

Localcustomers in the field of logistics services

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION site is a good choice in many ways. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION is a cheaper city compared to other major cities in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION, with relatively low living costs. Nevertheless, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION is an international city and a major trade fair location in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION. Although these factors are gratifying for the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY, they are not particularly relevant as the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY is a local customer service company. Walk in customers do matter. If a customer wishes a personal meeting, SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE LOCATION is a convenient location easily reached by numerous destinations. SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION or Europe by train, plane or car.

Marketing Strategy

6.1.       pricing policy.

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY offers exported goods from SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION to SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER at competitive prices.

The SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY expects the following sales for the next three years:

• XXXX: $XXXX (USD)

As the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY can be operated without tenancy by the managing director SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE FOUNDER, the rental costs for office space are eliminated.

6.2.         Communication Policy

The managing director plans to acquire further customers, by winning trade fairs in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE REGION and SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. The fairs include:

A particular strength of the company are recommendations from existing  SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER customers who help attract new customers in SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE TARGET CUSTOMER. Furthermore, the SHORT BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE COMPANY has an internet presence www.XXX.com, which is relevant for the local suppliers and informs about the activities of the company.

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Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template

Are you ready to take your import-export business to new heights? Look no further than ClickUp's Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template! This comprehensive template is your ticket to success, helping you navigate the complexities of global trade and amplify your marketing efforts. With this template, you can:

• Identify lucrative target markets and devise strategies to reach them
• Establish efficient distribution channels to ensure seamless product delivery
• Craft compelling marketing campaigns to captivate potential clients and drive sales

Whether you're a seasoned exporter or just starting out, ClickUp's Marketing Plan Template has got you covered. Take your import-export business to new horizons today!

Ready to supercharge your import-export business? Get started with ClickUp's Marketing Plan Template now!

Benefits of Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template

An Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template can provide numerous benefits to your import-export business, including:

• Streamlining your marketing efforts by providing a structured framework
• Identifying target markets and understanding their needs and preferences
• Establishing effective distribution channels to reach your target audience
• Creating a clear roadmap for promoting your products or services
• Helping you analyze and evaluate the success of your marketing campaigns
• Maximizing your marketing budget by focusing on strategies that yield the highest return on investment
• Ensuring consistency in your marketing message and branding
• Increasing brand awareness and visibility in the global market
• Generating more leads and sales for your import-export business

Main Elements of Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template

ClickUp's Import Export Business Marketing Plan template is designed to help you streamline your marketing efforts and achieve your business goals. Here are the main elements of this List template:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of your marketing tasks with 6 different statuses including Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Utilize 6 custom fields such as Quarter, Task Type, Impact, Progress, Percent Completion, and Effort, to add specific information to each task and track progress.
• Custom Views: Access 5 different views including Key Results, Timeline, Getting Started Guide, Objectives, and Progress Board, to visualize your marketing plan from various angles and stay organized.
• Goal Tracking: Set and monitor your marketing objectives using ClickUp's Goals feature, ensuring your marketing efforts align with your business objectives.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with your team in real-time, assign tasks, and set due dates to ensure smooth project execution.
• Document Management: Store all your marketing documents, ideas, and strategies in ClickUp's Docs feature, making it easy to access and share information with your team.

With ClickUp's Import Export Business Marketing Plan template, you can efficiently manage your marketing initiatives and drive the success of your import-export business.

How to Use Marketing Plan for Import Export Business

If you're looking to kickstart your import-export business and need a solid marketing plan, look no further. Follow these six steps to effectively use the Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template in ClickUp:

1. Define your target market

Start by identifying your target market for your import-export business. Determine the specific demographics, geographic location, and psychographics of your ideal customers. This will help you tailor your marketing strategies to reach the right audience.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to set your target market and track your progress towards reaching them.

2. Conduct market research

Next, conduct thorough market research to understand the demand, competition, and trends in the import-export industry. Analyze market data, industry reports, and customer surveys to gather valuable insights that will inform your marketing strategies.

Use the Dashboards feature in ClickUp to compile and visualize your market research data for easy analysis.

3. Develop your unique selling proposition (USP)

Differentiate your import-export business from competitors by developing a unique selling proposition (USP). Identify what sets your business apart and why customers should choose you over others. This could be factors like competitive pricing, exceptional customer service, or specialized product offerings.

Use the Docs feature in ClickUp to brainstorm and refine your USP.

4. Create a comprehensive marketing strategy

Now it's time to create a comprehensive marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals. Determine the marketing channels you will utilize, such as social media, email marketing, content marketing, and trade shows. Develop a content calendar and promotional campaigns to reach and engage your target market.

Use the Calendar view in ClickUp to plan and schedule your marketing activities.

5. Implement and track your marketing efforts

Once you have your marketing strategy in place, it's time to implement your plan. Start executing your marketing campaigns across various channels and monitor their performance. Track key metrics like website traffic, lead generation, conversion rates, and customer engagement to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

Use the Automations feature in ClickUp to automate repetitive marketing tasks and save time.

6. Evaluate and optimize your marketing plan

Regularly evaluate the performance of your marketing plan and make necessary adjustments to optimize your results. Analyze the data you collected from your marketing campaigns and identify areas for improvement. Experiment with different strategies and tactics to continually refine your marketing plan and drive better results.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to track the success of your marketing plan and make data-driven decisions for optimization.

By following these six steps and utilizing the Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template in ClickUp, you'll be well-equipped to effectively market your import-export business and achieve your business goals.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Import Export Business Marketing Plan Template

Import-export businesses can use this Marketing Plan Template to effectively promote their products or services and reach their target markets.

First, hit "Add Template" to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you'd like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a comprehensive marketing plan:

• Use the Key Results View to set measurable goals and track the progress of your marketing efforts
• The Timeline View will help you plan out the timeline for each marketing activity and ensure timely execution
• Refer to the Getting Started Guide View to get a step-by-step overview of how to use this template effectively
• The Objectives View will provide a clear overview of the marketing objectives you need to achieve
• Use the Progress Board View to visualize the progress of each marketing activity and identify any bottlenecks
• Organize tasks into six different statuses: Cancelled, Complete, In Progress, Needs Input, Planned, To Do, to keep track of progress
• Update statuses as you move through tasks to ensure everyone is informed of progress
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure maximum productivity and successful marketing campaigns.

Related Templates

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Template Includes

Expand to see 6 statuses.

• CANCELLED, COMPLETE, IN PROGRESS, NEEDS INPUT, PLANNED, TO DO

Expand to see 6 Custom Fields

• Percent Completion

Expand to see 5 View Types

• Key Results
• Getting Started Guide
• Progress Board

Sign up for FREE  and start using ClickUp in seconds!

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Home » How to Write a Business Plan for Your Import-Export Business

How to Write a Business Plan for Your Import-Export Business

January 20, 2021

The world is more interconnected than it’s ever been. This provides a perfect opportunity for you to create your own import-export business. Whether it’s importing beautiful textiles from another continent or exporting local Canadian products abroad, all you need is passion and drive to get started.

You probably have plenty of ideas swirling around in your head, but the only way to make your business a reality and ensure your success is to write a winning business plan. Business plans are notoriously long and complex but don’t be disheartened. Here are 6 steps to writing the perfect business plan for your import-export company:

1. Start with an Executive Summary.

Think of this as the ultimate introduction to your business. It should concisely delineate exactly what you want as a business owner. Remember, you need to know where your business is going. It’s up to you to clarify your vision. No one is going to be as passionate about your import-export storefront as you are.

Your executive summary should have:

• Your business concept : what you’ll sell, who will purchase it, and why your business will work
• Financial points : your sales, profits, cash flows, and ROI
• Required finances : what capital is needed and how it will be used
• Current business state : a short history of your business including key members of staff
• Achievements : may include test marketing, facility locations, important contracts, etc.

Keep it short and sweet. Ideally, your executive summary will be no more than half a page. The rest of your business plan is where you’ll go into greater detail about these components.

It might be helpful to go through How to Start an Import Export Business before you create your executive summary to ensure everything is carefully thought out before you present it in your business plan.

2. Include a Business Description.

This is your opportunity to describe exactly what you’re importing or exporting and how it will succeed. Are you importing Congolese avocados? Show how you can guarantee perfect ripeness when they reach stores. Are you exporting blenders to Bolivia? Demonstrate you’ve found the perfect blender to suit the demand of that market.

Here are some questions to consider and incorporate:

• How does the industry look now and how might it change in the future?
• Is your business brand new or already established?
• What kind of business is it (e.g. partnership, corporation)?
• What are the ins and outs of the distribution of your product?
• How is your business better than your competitors?
• What exactly makes your business profitable?

Don’t forget insurance. Investors and lenders need to see you’re responsible and won’t lose money from major oversights. You might think skipping product insurance will help you make more money, but this is a huge mistake in the long run. Find a premium insurance company and include that information in your business description.

3. Conduct a Market Analysis.

Roll up your sleeves—this part takes a lot of effort. If you put the work in and do  the research, it will pay off. The point of your market analysis is to demonstrate your knowledge of the market and your ability to claim a significant share of it. 

A great market analysis can look like this:

• Define the market : talk about size, trends, rules and regulations, prospective growth areas, and sales potential
• Nail down the total feasible market : specifically address the portion of the market your business can realistically capture
• Estimate market share : take into consideration industry growth and your product’s life cycle
• Determine pricing : discuss your reasons for pricing and how you will cover costs
• Explain your promotion strategy : this includes advertising, packaging, PR, etc.

Factor in exchange rates. As you’re figuring out your price, be sure to include  exchange rates in your calculations. Neglecting this could sink your business. You might want to consider using the local currency of the country you’re working with, especially if they use an international currency such as euros or US dollars. Are you planning on exporting to the EU? Don’t miss this helpful guide .

4. Summarize a Competitive Analysis.

Not quite the same as your market analysis, your competitive analysis focuses mainly on the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. Planning to import Italian cars? Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes. What options do they have for purchasing an Italian car? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each option?

After you make a list of all your potential competitors, you’ll want to organize all the information in a competitive strength grid, which outlines which competitors are strong in each skill category and which ones are weak (e.g. price, product quality).

Lastly, you’ll need to clearly define your competitive advantage. Do you have a  lower price point? Are your cars of better quality? Do you have a more solid advertising plan? Can you break into a new market? 

Your price equates to your product’s value. If you price your product too far below your competitors, it may cheapen your product in the eyes of consumers. There’s nothing wrong with trying to outpace your competitors in pricing, but make sure you don’t overdo it and cause your customers to overlook your product due to a lower perceived quality.

5. Create a Design & Development Plan.

This is where you focus on details, details, details. How are you going to make your business a reality? Now is your opportunity to get it all on paper.

Here are some questions to answer in this section:

• What are your goals for product development?
• Which procedures will you have in place for product review, marketing, and distribution?
• What is your exact production schedule?
• What’s in your detailed development budget?
• How many employees need to be recruited and in what areas?
• What possible risks are apparent?
• How will your business function on a continuing basis?
• What is the organizational structure of your business?

If you’ve left any of these questions unanswered, you’ll need to add more details.

Don’t go it alone. You might prefer to do everything on your own, but that will only leave you overworked and exhausted. There are so many specifics in the import-export world that you can easily get overwhelmed. Do yourself a favor and hire a team to help.

Are you planning on selling your product on Amazon? Check out these useful logistical tips .

6. Don’t Forget the Financial Data.

When it comes down to it, this is what investors really want to see. This is how  they’ll determine whether your business – anything from exporting dresses to importing sailboats – will succeed or not.

You’ll need to include three statements in the financial section:

• Income statement : a simple report on monthly sales and expenses
• Cash flow statement : a schedule of what money is needed and where it will come from
• Balance sheet : a summary of your business’s assets, liabilities, and equity

Let your words be few. You should include a short analysis statement after the income statement, but resist the temptation to ramble. The idea is to let the financial statements in this portion speak for themselves.

Once you’ve finished your business plan, send it out to investors and lenders you’ve already established a connection with. Make big asks—you never know who might say yes! With an excellent import export business plan at your disposal, you’re well on your way to becoming a successful business owner.

BorderBuddy creates importing and exporting solutions for any size of business. We specialize in smoothing the process for you—handling the paperwork and logistics so you can focus on growing your company. We love supporting small businesses and are proud of the success stories we’ve been a part of. Give us a call and let us help you create a unique and sustainable import-export business today.

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