Import Export Business Resource 101
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101 Essential Global Trading Resources – a quick start guide
to learn import/export from home
BONUS: Also included a list of 40 must-have tools for starting an import export business
The web is full of hidden gems. To help all import-export starters and small timers, we have compiled an exhaustive list of collaborative trading tools and multilingual resources with you, as a global player, in mind. If we have missed anything on the list, please leave your comment after reading this post. We look forward to grow this list to ‘202 Essential Global Trading Resources’ with your help.
Import-Export Trend Research and Trade Intelligence
- The World Factbook – a reference guide for 266 world entities’ history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
- WTO Statistics Database – International trade and tariff data for different WTO countries
- International Trade Centre – General international trade statistics and interactive trademap for international business development
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – Determine import-export value, trades and shares
- Trendwatching – International consumer trends and consumer insights resource
Foreign Market Research
- DoingBusiness – market research on difficulty of doing business or importing/exporting for a particular country with important data like procedural requirements for exporting and importing a standardized cargo of goods
- Global Technology Forum – market research on ebusiness readiness for different countries
- Eurostat – Searchable database for key European statistics
- World Business Environment Survey – a World Bank tool that help to assess the environment for doing business and climate for investment in countries around the world
- The Fletcher School – Multilateral trade agreement searchable database in ‘The Multilateral Projects’
- World Intellectual Property Organization – international patent searchable database
- Global Express Association – Reports on custom transparency and efficiency for different countries
- World Customs Organization and Export.gov – Country specific tariff and tax information
- Global Trade Information Services – view trade flows in a specific product over many countries with Global Trade Atlas, and view trade flows for one country over a broad range of products with World Trade Atlas
- Trade Data – Custom Global Trade Analysis Report for importers and exporters. This is a sample Australian Import trade analysis report covering Olive Oil imports into Australia (courtesy of Jim Lang, Managing Director of Trade Data).
- Panjiva – helping you to discover trusted oversea suppliers with an ‘over 1 million companies in 190 countries’ database
- Kwintessential – Summary of business language, culture, custom and etiquette for different countries
- Cybolink – General overview of international business etiquette and manners
- Association for Asian Research – Business protocol for foreigners who are doing business in Asia
Trade Reference Tools
- Trade language terminology – international set of trade terms (INCOTERMS) outlined by International Business Training, and summarized as transport obligations, costs and risks between buyer and seller by International Chamber of Commerce
- Trade shipping terminology by Maritime Administration
- Trade finance terminology by International Monetary Fund
- Trade economic terminology by Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
- Foreign exchange terminology by Cambridge Mercantile Group
- Commercial air traffic data by International Civil Aviation Organization
- International road statistic (require payment) by International Road Federation
- International commercial contracts by Unidroit
- Latest fuel prices by 30 countries by International Road Transport Union
- International trade standards
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) codes, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, and END USE codes searchable trade database by United States International Trade Commission
- National trade standards regulated by the list of different organisations in the world
More Trade Reference Tools
- International currency conversion by XE
- International time converter by TimeandDate
- International unit converter by EasyUnitConverter
- International voltage converter by A Global World
- Volumetric weight converter for shipment by Seafly Service
- International dialing codes by CountryCode
- Worldwide plugs and sockets pattern by InterPower
- Time-lapse calculator to calculate export lead time between the shipping date, and the order date or production date
- World trade fair searchable database
Import-Export Trade Communities
- Alibaba Community – learn, ask and discuss international trading
- eBay – international trading discussion board
- The Benche – a trade finance community
- Icom7 – an international business community
- Expatica – news and information for international business owners
- InterNations – network with expatriates to exchange intercultural business information
- LiveMocha – Trade language skills with trading members from other countries
- Twitter, Hashwork and Twisell – the perfect way to ask potential customers what they are looking for in their country, and act as their virtual concierge to deliver them the right stuff
Trade Document Management
- Google Apps – manage emails, documents, and calendars
- PDFescape – create and edit PDF forms online
- EchoSign – Creates digital signature or esign your documents
- TheInvoiceMachine – makes professional looking invoices in PDF format
- DHL – Trade document library
- World Trade Press – illustrated guide to trade documentation
- Global Wizard and ExportDoc – Export Documentation Software, Denied Persons Screening, and Compliance System for International Trade and Transportation
- Trident Global and QuestaWeb – Export documentation management software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform
- HG.org – Find a lawyer/law firm/attorney to help you with your legal documents using their worldwide searchable legal directory
Trade Information Management
- Bubbl.Us and MindMeister– brainstorm and map your import-export business strategies and collaborate with other business partners
- BusinessCard2 – Create and share your e-business card online to introduce yourself to oversea partners
- Creately and Chartle.net – create flowcharts and online diagrams for import-export business collaboration
- Amberjack – Create site tour for your website to introduce your ideas and products to those who are not familiar with your site
- HoneyPitch – create perfect pitch proposals as a team to close more sales and win more business
- Slideshare and AuthorGen – Create and share your content like powerpoint presentations or classroom materials online
- Interspire Email Marketer – Mass deliver unlimited emails to your import-export business stakeholders
- SurveyGizmo – Mass deliver surveys to your potential customers
- LightSpoke
– create customisable purchase approvals, orders, and receipts
- Baraccuda Suite – Comprehensive online solution to manage your retail business
- CoopApp – Stay in touch with co-workers on Q&A sesions, track time and daily agenda
- ClockingIT and Toggl – track the task and time of temporary employee’s progress
Trade Financial Management
- Oanda and XE.com – Exchange rate calculator and currency converter for 164 currencies and 3 metals
- EasyCalculation – Compare dates and days for freight or shipping arrangements
- Rigzone – oil and gas conversion calculator
- IOR Energy – Engineering conversion calculator
- Federal Bank – Bill discount/exchange calculator
Trade Logistic Management
- JOCSailings – Quick access to comprehensive shipping schedules
- LineScape – Independent source of ocean container shipping schedules
- Source Consulting – FEDEX and UPS rate comparison tool
- ShipGooder – Free shipping calculator based on your importing or exporting destination
- FreightQuote – Compare shipping quotes from shipping carriers in seconds
Trading Company Identity
- SearchOfficeSpace – search for the right serviced office to start your business (if you don’t have enough workspace at home)
- BusinessPlanPro, PlanHQ and StartupBusinessSchool – Plan your international business with step-by-step guidance
- MyStrategicPlan – Plan your international marketing strategies and trade mission for your importing and exporting destination
- LogoEase – Design your OWN logo and get a custom quote
- CustomGuide – Free computer cheat sheets and references
- TechInline – remote desktop software
Trade Performance Management
- Xero – online accounting system to manage your business profit
- ZohoCRM – online CRM system to manage sales, opportunities and trade leads
- TeamworkPM or GoPlan – online project management to track progress of your projects
- Big Cartel & BigCommerce – online ecommerce store to test your market potential
- The Federation of International Trade Associations – A list of trade software to help you increase your productivity and efficiency
Trade Contact Management
- Trade Manager and QQ International – chat and trade instantly with other import-export owners/users
- Pidgin (desktop), Imo.Im (online) and E-messenger (online) – One time login to your social network and messengers
- Jajah and Skype – internet phone to save in long distance calls
- Mobyko – save all your mobile phone contacts and numbers to one online address book
- Spinvox – convert your voicemail into text messages
- LanguageSpace – Want chat bot Lily to teach you how to speak English & Chinese? Just type the message for her
- Webbychat – Chat with your website visitors who are browsing and dropping by your site
- WhiteSmoke – Free online grammar check for all your written communication. You can buy their software if you find it useful for everyday use.
- 9Cays – Track group email conversation without the pain of checking then in your mailbox
Trade Lead Management
- Epointment – online scheduling to make appointments with your business partners, or customers
- MeetUp – throwing a get-together event? Start a meetup group and keep everybody inform
- Mikogo or Vyew – online collaboration and live conferencing to save you travelling cost meeting up with other team members
- MyPunchBowl, Jujups and Evite – create greeting cards, gift cards and party invitations using professional looking ecards
Next Round…
Looking forward to add future trade tools related to:
- Trade Product Management
- Trade Marketing Management
- Trade Employee Management
If you love what you have read, please consider buying me a thank you gift from my Amazon Wishlist to bring you better quality import-export global trade resources.
Either you are importing or exporting, let’s keep in touch!
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