The basic steps involve:

Register a company name and obtain the Certificate of Incorporation/Certificate of Registration

Obtain an Export /Import Code Number from the Customs and Excise Department on the submission of copies of a above).

Obtain a PIN number from Kenya Revenue Authority

Obtain a VAT certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority

Obtain a Local Authority License example from Nairobi City Council.

Certificate of Origin (at the time of exporting) {Certificate of Origin are issued by the Customs Department, Kenya Revenue Authority depending on the export destination.

The Certificate of Origins issued are; COMESA Certificate of Origin, EUR-1 Form, GSP, EACD and Ordinary Certificate of Origin and AGOA Certificate of Origin

The purpose of the Certificate of Origin is to indicate the origin of exports so that they can enjoy preferential duty entry into the export market depending on the prevailing trade arrangement between Kenya and the importing country. For any individual to have an import export company there company has to be a member of KIFWA. KIFWA membership is Ksh 17000 (Admission Ksh 10,000, Subscription Ksh. 7,000). Membership takes a few minutes. Once paid up you will receive a clearance certificate which a copy should be given to KRA for you to get a license.

The import export companies can be in two categories:

• Clearance and forwarding companies

• Importers of raw material to make finished goods.

It is necessary to make the companies limited.

All documentation gets processed in September, and they are also forwarded to the Customs Union.

KIFWA interviews the new directors and in case of failure an individual can always appeal or try the next year. When an individual passes they get to be given the license and the password for the KIFWA site.

The timeline of this whole process will take 5 to 6 months. Once accepted the company should be able to take a custom bond fee from 300,000 to up to 600,000.

The primary objective of applying PVoC is to ensure quality of products, health and safety, and environmental protection for Kenyans. Among the benefits expected, besides products being shipped conforming to standards and regulations, PVoC is expected to:

♦ Block unfair competition from sub-standard products and especially stop the influx of counterfeit products

♦ Speed up release process of imports

♦ Reduce importation costs

♦ Reduce the number of destructions or re-exportation of consignments

The Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to Standards programme is a conformity assessment and verification procedure applied to specific imported products at the respective countries of export, to ensure their compliance with the applicable Kenyan Technical Regulations and Mandatory Standards or approved equivalents. The overall objective is to minimize the risk of unsafe and substandard goods entering Kenyan market, thus ensuring health, safety and environmental protection for Kenyans.

What is a good way to build up a successful business from nothing and have fun doing it? The import/export business may be your answer. Not only does it require little financial investment to start, but also it offers the prestige of working with clients from all over the world.

You don’t need previous experience in the field, but you should have a good head for organizing. Fulfilling a successful import/export business requires constant attention to little details.

Do you know some local manufacturers looking for ways to increase their market for the goods they make? Or are you planning a trip abroad and want to make some contacts for setting up a business?

If you have ability to sell, and an air of diplomacy, the import/export business might be right for you. All you need is the desire and determination to make it work.

The biggest advantage is the money you’ll make. Once you get the business underway, the commission for setting up sales is very profitable. And after you establish and maintain a number of exclusive accounts, you’ll find the time you spend is highly rewarded with money.

HOW IT WORKS

Of all the manufacturers in the Nigeria, only a small percentage distribute goods outside of West Africa. The goods that do find foreign markets are exports. On the other hand, anything that is manufactured outside the country and brought in for sale is imported.

Although it seems obvious that all manufacturers would want a worldwide market, it is not easy for a company that is limited in its scope and abilities. That’s where you come in.

The market is unlimited and there are hundreds of manufacturers looking for foreign distribution. Processed Foods, Shoes, wares, garments, tools -anything can be readily imported or exported if there is a consumer demand and if you can get the products.

THE BASICS

You can start your import/export business at home with a telephone and an internet connection. You’ll need a file system, business cards, and a Computer to browse the internet. Once you get going, you’ll want a Post office Box to receive samples.

ANALYZE THE MARKET

Keep informed. Read everything you can find about world trade. Look at trade publications, international newspapers, newsmagazines, and financial reports. Who is selling what to whom? Although the market for American-made airplanes is sewn up, there are thousands of medium to small sized manufacturers in every state of the union.

WHERE TO FIND HELP

Establish a good business relationship with a local bank that handles international business. Your personal banker will follow through on the actual foreign transactions, and will help keep your credit afloat. In fact, that is one of the best factors about an import/ export business. Aside from office supplies and correspondence, or possible business trips, you need no personal cash outlay. All you need is good credit and a good reputation.

GETTING THE GOODS

There are hundreds of foreign manufacturers with limited distribution looking for an overseas market. Importing their goods is the place to start your business.

You have many selling qualities for convincing the manufacturers to engage you as the sole export agent. You have local contacts and know the demand for specific goods. You will handle the sale, the paperwork, the money, all shipping, customs, and foreign distribution.

TERMS OF SHIPPING

You will become more familiar with the terms of shipping used in quoting prices and delivering goods as you gain experience. Your responsibilities vary with the terms of the agreements and orders. Check with your freight forwarder to be clear about your responsibilities.

PROMOTION

After you have completed a few sales transactions to establish yourself, you’ll need to promote your import/ export business to get more clients. The first transactions give you the experience to learn the ropes of the business, and to establish contacts and agents both here and abroad.

EXPANDING THE BUSINESS

The profit of the import/export business is in the quantity of the goods traded. The higher the cost of the merchandise, the higher the profit from your percentage. Since you need to go through all the steps for each transaction, having more sales on a continual basis simply adds to profit.

If you are ready to put in the time, sell yourself. Start making inquiries and contacts. Try it on for size. Does it feel good? Then MAKE IT SUCCEED.

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own import export business. Are you organized, efficient, and ready to make your future in an opportunity all your own? Import Export Business Opportunities are expanding and there is room for you!

In the early nineteen eighties, one of the most popular things in Soviet Russia was American made blue jeans. Exporters made money hand over fist selling American made products to the East. Now, twenty years later, we have seen the fall of communism in many cold war countries. This has opened the door to the import export business companies to make handsome profits by moving goods from one continent to another.

Blue jeans in the former Soviet Union sell as good now as they did twenty years ago. But now it is not only blue jeans. American cars, computer and electronic devices, even beauty products are becoming a big business all over the eastern continents.

China has shown automobile sales in the last two years that rival the United States. Western culture, a mythical and mystical thing to many eastern countries, is being shipped in everyday. Trade embargoes are loosening and the profit margins are now being recognized all over the world.

Even the European nations are seeing an increase in their exports to the East. There are world economics at play now that were not even dreamed of twenty years ago. Imports and exports are being moved everyday, and you could play a profitable role in it all with your import export business.

Not only is there still the crave for Western Culture in the East, there is the need for lower cost goods here in the West. Importing goods from these same places can be as profitable as exporting to them. Imported products can be sold in a variety of ways from online stores and auctions to a storefront in your hometown.

There are also companies set up online that do importing and exporting and will contract you as a reseller. This can become extremely profitable. Most of the time you are not even required to keep an inventory. There is also a market for buying the imports these companies bring in and reselling them on auction sites and in retail outlets.

You will need to be aware of any taxes involved in both importing and exporting goods. Customs regulations and federal laws on imports and exports will need to be clarified before you start. Make sure that everything you are moving is legal and acceptable between countries.

Also, having a little capital to work with, say around one thousand US dollars; will allow you to get off to a solid start. Exporting goods on the Internet is one of the least expensive ways of getting started and can be done through existing import export companies.

Researching import export businesses can be done effectively online. There are many such small businesses (or at least, they started that way) who are willing to share the secrets of their success. Importing and exporting is not rocket science, nor does it require you to have a Ph.D. in economics.

One of the easiest things about import export businesses is that you are not dealing with direct sales. Most of your sales will be in bulk to distributors on the other end. This means that you will have to have little or no technical information about the products themselves, only whether they are legal or illegal to sell to that location.

Once started, you will be surprised at the income levels that can be achieved. Most importers and exporters say they were shocked that they could turn so much profit in so little time. Investigate your own import export business today!