exportkenya
TRANSCRIPT
ExportKenya
Exporting to the USAJob Dieleman
International Trade Center/SBDC
University of Georgia
Athens, GA, USA
706/542-6661
Agenda
Overview US market and trends Export readiness American business culture Researching the US market Importing into the US IP Protection Other things to know
OVERVIEW US MARKET
Why do business with the USA?
world’s largest economy (US$ 10 trillion) 293 million people - $38,000 GNP/person relatively homogeneous population/culture relatively open economy consumer/market driven single regulatory system English speaking
But the US is also the most competitive market in the
world!!
US buyers/consumers have a choice from the best and most
(price)competitive products and services from anywhere in the world
GLOBALIZATIONGLOBALIZATION
What is it?
What are the trends?
Reduced barriers to trade Increased transparency through advanced
information technology Increased competition Very competitive pricing! Large US retailers going direct Consolidation
US Apparel Retailers
Walmart Lord & Taylor The Gap Target J. Crew Ann Taylor Abercrombie & Fitch Eddie Bauer J.C. Penney
30 retailers account for over 95% of US apparel sales in publicly held retail outlets
Average US family of four spent $1831 on apparel in 1999 (per capita all retail spending was $8,542 in 2003)
How do they compete?
Pricing Outsourcing Branding Differentiation Rapidly changing styles/colors Lean and efficient supply chains Sales through the internet Retailers are selling globally
US Crafts/Gifts Retailers
TJ Max Pier 1 Imports Ross Target Ten Thousand Villages Hobby Lobby Grand Harbour
Why should you be global?
Global companies:– are less likely to fail– are more profitable– pay higher wages and benefits– create more jobs
Do you have a choice?
You can no longer totally rely on the Kenya market, because
Kenya is increasingly becoming an export market for the rest of
the world!
EXPORT READINESS
Are you export ready?Are you export ready?
Self Assessment
Are you ready to tackle the US market?
Are you a successful company?– Exported regionally or to other parts of the
world?– Solid track record in Kenya?– Are you financially healthy?– Does your business’s profitability compare
favorably with others in your industry?
Are you ready to tackle the US market?
Is your product/service competitive?– Is your quality consistently high?– Are you ready to compete with foreign
products in terms of quality?– Are you ready to compete with foreign products
in terms of cost?
Are you ready to tackle the US market?
Are you committed?– Is top management committed?– Do you have a strong management team in place?– Can you focus on long-term goals?– Are you comfortable taking new risks to grow
your business?– Are you willing to adapt your product to
regulatory /cultural requirements of the US market?
Are you ready to tackle the US market?
Are you willing to increase production capacity to meet US demand?
Do you have somebody with overall responsibility for the US market?
Can this person adapt to the US business culture?
Are you ready to tackle the US market?
Do you have a local support structure in Kenya ?– International bank– Freight forwarders– International lawyer– Government (EPC, Ministry Industry & Trade)– Other Exporters
AMERICAN BUSINESS CULTURE
What is it like to do What is it like to do businessbusiness
with Americans? with Americans?
Iceberg Concept
Values Comparison Kenya-US
Time…….………..…….…RelationshipIndividualism……....Group OrientationEquality……………..……….HierarchyCompetition…….……..…..CooperationChange……….…......Stability/TraditionControl……….……..……………...FateDirectness…….………..…..IndirectnessFuture……………..………………..PastInformality…………..…….....Formality
Quotes from:AMERICANS at WORKAMERICANS at WORK
A Guide to the Can-Do PeopleA Guide to the Can-Do PeopleCraig Storti
2004
www.interculturalpress.com
Understanding US Culture
– “Americans have no doubt that if they want something bad enough and if they are willing to work hard enough, there is nothing they cannot achieve”:
nothing is impossible! you control your own destiny! self reliant! focused on the future!
Understanding US Culture
“Americans have an unshakable belief that they will prevail regardless of circumstances, and that somehow everything will work out”– Americans are upbeat and optimistic– Americans are risk takers … and accept
mistakes
Understanding US Culture Americans have a strong drive to achieve
– “Americans derive self respect and the respect from others in large part from their accomplishments”
– It is important to show accomplishments- “If it ain’t broke, fix it anyway”.
– Money is an important measurement of achievement.– Americans like to compete to win!– Americans are obsessed with efficiency!– Americans are focussed on getting things done (results).
Understanding US Culture
American communication:– Americans are direct talkers/candid– High and low context societies– Impatience with details- Get to the point!– Need just enough information to make a
decision
What does this mean to you What does this mean to you in a practical sense?in a practical sense?
Doing Business with Americans
A positive attitude:– “Always sound positive”– “Be enthusiastic about solving problems”– “Don’t worry about making mistakes”– “Never suggest giving up”– “Focus on results and getting things done”– “Never complain or make excuses”– “Don’t act worried about taking risks”
Doing Business with Americans
Communication:– Always respond to e-mails within 1-2 days– Return phone calls within a day– Get to the point quickly!– Present practical information (examples,
illustrations - no theories or abstract concepts)
Meeting with Americans
Set up appointments well in advance Confirm appointments the day before Do not arrive at an office unannounced Get people’s attention right away! Don’t overrun your allotted time - ending it
early is ok
Meeting with Americans
Make sure you are prepared:– Market research– Professional presentation: business
cards/brochures/website– CIF pricing in US $ currency for different quantities– Delivery lead times (production, shipping)– Production capabilities (modifications, packaging,
sizing, etc.)– Samples
Meeting with Americans
– Payment terms– After-sale service, warranties– Performance test results (if applicable)– Convert metric to US specs– Know the import regulations
Meeting with Americans Prices are negotiable Involve lawyer to check any significant contracts
reached Make sure you clarify what you understand to
have taken place at the meeting/ confirm by e-mail right after meeting
Fast and comprehensive follow-up is essential Promised delivery dates and production quantities
must be honored.
Marketing in the USA
Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Inform of problems as early as possible and suggest solutions.
Think segmentation:– regions– ethnic groups:African/American, Hispanics,
Asians– demographic groups/ lifestyle– niche markets Am I your target?
Marketing in the USA
Sending letters only has limited effectiveness/ Object is to meet face to face.
Safety and quality standards:– some of the most stringent standards and regulations in
the world– US consumers are used to choosing from the best and
cheapest products in the world Pricing:
– severe price competition for most products and services
Marketing in the USA US has many layers of government:
– federal, state, county, city Maintenance and after-sale service:
– consumers expect excellent maintenance and service of products
– law imposes that products work as advertised and intended A litigious society:
– more lawyers and suits than any other country– be careful for product related lawsuits
Marketing in the USA
A legalistic society:– sales contracts– distributor agreements
RESEARCHING THE US RESEARCHING THE US MARKETMARKET
What do you need to know?What’s the US market like?
Can you compete?
What is it going to take?
What are the barriers?
Can you compete?
Competition: companies, products, prices Existing distribution channels Sales terms: delivery, service, payment,
warranties Regulatory compliance: labeling,
standards, packaging, liability, etc.
Are you price competitive?
What are the costs that need to be considered?
Cost Factors
Int’l promotion Inland Kenya freight Ocean/air freight Marine/air insurance Export preparation
– modification
– packaging/labeling
Forwarder fees
Regulatory compliance: standards, testing, inspection
US Import duties Distribution channel
markups Bank, legal fees Transaction financing Exchange rate
Costing worksheet
Calculate cost of your product from Kenya to USA retailer
Sources of Information: Armchair approach
– Export/import stats: www.strategis.ic.gc.ca - Trade Data Online
– Internet: broad search Apparel Search- Online Guide
(www.apparelsearch.com/associations.htm Plunkett’s Apparel & Textile Industry Almanac
(www.plunkettresearch.com/apparel) Lexis/Nexis, Gale Research Fashion Industry Info (www.infomat.com)
– US Industry Associations: American Apparel and Footwear Assoc. Aid to Artisans (www.aidtoartisans.org) Gift Association of America (www.giftassn.org) National Association of Gift and Collectible
Retailers (www.naled.org)
– Industry Magazines: The Craft Report (www.craftsreport.com) Apparel Magazine (www.bobbin.com/buyersguide)
– Local Kenya support structure: private/government
– Other exporters to US (complimentary products sold to same industry)
– Suppliers, customers
– Network! Be creative!
– Company info: Dun &Bradstreet (www.dnb.com/us/) Hoover’s Online (http://premium.hoovers.com) InfoUSA (www.infoUSA.com) Thomas Register (www.thomasnet.com) Yellow Pages (www.yellowpages.com) Switchboard (www.switchboard.com)
– Look at their websites!
Travel Approach
If your armchair research indicates that you may be competitive, then visit the US market:– Select and attend/exhibit at a US trade show
– Participate in trade mission/matchmaker program
– Find potential US partners who are well established in your industry!
– Visit and survey US retailers
Partners
Indirect sales Direct sales Agent/rep Distributor Licensing Joint
venture/subsidiary
Profit? Credit risk? Control price? Promotion? Sales volume? Risk/commitment?
Importing into the USA
WWW.CUSTOMS.GOV
WWW.AGOA.GOV
WWW/CUSTOMS/GOV/XP/CGOV/TOOLBOX/PUBLICATIONS
Click on:
Importing into the United States
- A Guide for Commercial Importers
Duty Assessment
Step 1: Identify Schedule B Harmonized Classification number (10 digits):
– www.census.gov/scheduleb Complete description of goods Method of manufacture Specifications and analyses Quantities, weights
Duty Assessment
Step 2: Find duty rate in US Harmonized Tariff Schedule
– www.customs.gov, click on “importing”, click on “Harmonized Tariff Schedule”
– Special Tariff Treatment- in the Special column System of Preferences: A, A*, A+ AGOA: D
– AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin– Duty is only payable on product value
Duty Assessment
Apparel: HTS Chapter 98 Crafts:
– Up to 20 Different HTS Chapters What are they made of? What is the function?
AGOA
AGOA expands benefits already available under the GSP program to a broader range of products – 1835 products will have symbol “D” inserted in the
“Rates of Duty 1- Special” column. Qualify if product is growth, product or manufacture of:
a beneficiary sub-Saharan country imported directly from one of these countries meets a value-added requirement is not import-sensitive
AGOA Preferential Treatment for Certain Textile and Apparel Articles
Six broad categories– see AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin
Questions?– Customs Textile Team 404/675-1310
– Informed-compliance publication www.customs.gov
– African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Guide (www.agoa.gov)
– Office African Affairs, Washington (tel. 202/395-9514, fax. 202/395-4505)
– US Embassy in Nairobi
Regulatory Issues
Quotas are gone! (Jan 1, 2005) Country of origin marking Textile products labeling:
– generic names and % by weight of fibers– manufacturer/identification # /trademark– country of origin
Products subject to regulations by various other US agencies
Customs Invoice Requirements
The invoice is the most important import document. It must provide:– Port of entry– Names and place of buyer and seller– Quantities in weights and volumes– Purchase price of each item in the currency of
the sale– Kind of currency
– State all separate charges (itemized by name and amount) including freight, insurance, commission, cost of packing
– Country of origin
Shipping to the US
Regular mail– all mail is examined by Customs– duty and fees paid by buyer upon delivery in US
Express mail– express company clears at customs (for a fee)
Freight shipments– Air/ocean– Freight forwarder– Informal/formal entry (over $2000)
Trademarks, Trade Names, Copyrights
US Customs checks for counterfeit trademarks or copyright infringements– parallel imports– subject to seizure
Provide US Customs with a certified copy of your certificate of registration issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office
Trademark, Trade Name Protection
US Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov)
Where to start? (www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm)– Do a search (on-line)
– Describe goods/services with which mark will be used
– Clearly depict your mark
– File trademark application (on-line)
Copyright Protection
Www.copyright.gov Copyright is secured automatically when
the work is created, but registration has definite advantages
Registration procedures on-line
Other things to know
INCO Terms (Int’l Commercial Terms) Pro-forma invoicing International payment options
INCO Terms
13 INCO terms Defines the responsibilities/risks/costs of
buyer and seller Use of INCO terms avoids confusion,
delays and unnecessary risks
INCO Terms
EXW DDU CFR
FCA DDP CIF
CPT FAS DES
CIP FOB DEQ
DAF
Pro-Forma InvoiceFormal price quotation
Identify all costs (develop costing sheet) Learn about 13 INCO terms Do it right! Pro-forma is used to:
– draw up sales contract– request import license– draw up a Letter of Credit
Which Payment Term is best?
Cash in Advance ?
Open Account ?
Cash against Documents ?
Unconfirmed Letter of Credit ?
Confirmed Letter of Credit ?
Exporting is not rocket science !
Plan and prepare !
Focus on marketing and strategy! Find a niche!
Find a US partner !
Build a support team to advise you on the mechanics!
Questions?