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IMPORT BUSINESS REFERENCE GUIDES will get you working like the pros in no time. These short topics are packed with links to valuable online research and data used every day by those in the import trade.
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Start Your Import Business

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We’re giving you the key to uncovering trade secrets in the importing industry. The Import Channel IMPORT BUSINESS REFERENCE GUIDES are written for quick reading, so you can get back to doing business. The short topics are loaded with links to dozens of crucial sites that professional U.S. importers and customs brokers depend on every day to be successful. These FREE guides will have you working like the pros in no time.

Whether you are an established business owner looking to source products from overseas, or exploring the importing trade as a new business, the reference guides provide the basic answers used daily by everyone in this global industry.

Top 10 U.S. Trading Partners and Their Products

Looking for toys, furniture or footwear? Look to China. We’ve highlighted the top 10 trading partners exporting goods to the U.S., and have listed their top 5 product categories based on dollar volume. These listings can be helpful in narrowing the search for countries that are supplying a product category in large volume.

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Blacklisted Countries and Entities

Be careful who you’re dealing with. If you operate your global trade business in the United States, you are prohibited from importing or exporting goods from certain countries or trading with certain business entities or individuals. See what countries and entities are blacklisted.

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Know Where You Stand With Quotas

Know whether your imported product will be impacted by quotas. Quotas established by the U.S. government bring balance with our trading partners. Some quotas result in preferential treatment in which you will save duty fees, while other quotas may increase duties.

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In 2 Minutes, Find Key Countries for Your Product

You’ve decided on a product to import and the next step is to locate suppliers. But where in the world do you start? We point you in the right direction with powerful online tools and trade

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Find Products That Yield Big Profits

We direct you to free online tools where you can find the most profitable products to import, and quickly find your product’s classification code. Learn how much average profit is being made on any product imported from offshore

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Clearing Customs - Demystifying the Process

The steps to clearing customs can be mystifying. We suggest focusing on what you’re good at – sourcing and selling your products – and cut through the red tape by handing this step over to the pro: your customs broker. This reference guides gives highlights of when you can clear customs yourself, and when you should leave it to the

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The Customs Broker - An Importer's Best Friend

Customs brokers are your partner for success. Every importer must understand the tariff classification of the product being imported. Determining the proper tariff number is not an easy task and is best left to a professional who is knowledgeable in this discipline – the customs

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Do You Need An Importing License?

Generally no license is required to become an importer. But there are special categories which will require special import permits. This guide gives a quick overview of when you may need an import permit, or when you need to obtain extra paperwork. Links are included to U.S. trade sites which will make your research

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How Much Money is Needed to Start an Import Business?

Starting an import business takes less money than you think. The biggest misconception about importing is you need lots of money for a large minimum purchase order, or buy enough to fill a 40-foot container. Even the big guys start out with small purchase orders with new suppliers. Learn the trade secrets in this reference

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How Much Money Be Made in an Importing Business?

You can realize up to 340%+ or more in markups. It all depends on whether you sell at wholesale, retail, or both. This reference guide shows who gets the profits at every step in the distribution chain. You’ll clearly see where the biggest profit margins are so you can target where you want to focus your

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