Roadmap to Exporting - Beyond the Border: Getting Started
Page Index
Learning about exporting
Are you a potential exporter? If your company has a product that's competitive in Canada and has the capacity to meet the demands of an export market, it's very possible you are.
But if you want to set out in this new direction - or even if you're already exporting and want to head into a new market - you'll need some solid preparation.
No export venture is strictly a linear process. You may want to investigate financing possibilities (described in Chapter 5) even while working on your export plan (described in Chapter 2). To reflect this, the Roadmap provides cross-references at strategic points to help you navigate.
ExportSource
The best place to begin your research is the ExportSource Web portal at exportsource.ca. It's Canada's most comprehensive online source of export information, providing access to the resources of government departments and agencies and of many other partners. Among other things, ExportSource can help you:
- assess your export readiness;
- prepare your export plan;
- find the best sources of export assistance;
- market and finance your exports; and
- take your products and services to market.
Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting
The Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting is the one resource you shouldn't be without. It covers the entire process of exporting, from the time you start thinking about it until the time you're paid for delivery of your goods or services. It's available both online and in hard copy, and the first chapter will help you understand how to lay the foundations of an export venture. Go to exportsource.ca/stepbystep or call 1 888 811-1119 to order your free copy.
Export Your Services
If your company provides services rather than products, you should pay a visit to "Export Your Services...Take a World View". This is an export preparation and information tool designed to help service firms become export-ready. It features international business opportunities and information on markets, e-business and export financing, as well as other resources. You'll find it at exportsource.ca/worldview.
TCI is continually publishing new and updated guides for exporters. Check exportsource.ca/guides to find out what's available.
ServicExport
Connect with the global services community. A project of the UN's International Trade Centre in Geneva, ServicExport.com is designed to help service companies learn about exporting services, network, explore new markets, and promote their expertise to the world.
ExportWise
Export Development Canada (EDC) produces a quarterly magazine called ExportWise specifically for Canadian exporters. It offers insightful advice, thoughtful commentary and profiles of successful exporters. To subscribe to this publication or to read it online, visit www.edc.ca/exportwise.
CanadExport
Published by International Trade Canada, CanadExport is a newsletter that covers trade opportunities, export programs, trade fairs, seminars, business missions, export successes and more. For information about a free subscription, go to canadexport.gc.ca.
Going Global workshops
Offered in conjunction with the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), these three-hour workshops cover international trade, market research, marketing, logistics and trade finance and more. The workshops are held in various locations across the country and are also available online. Visit www.goingglobal.ca or call 1 888 811-1119 for more information.
International trade training programs
Many Canadian colleges and universities offer international trade training programs, including the Forum for International Trade Training's FITT skills program. Also available online, the program allows you to earn Canada's only Certified International Trade Professional (C.I.T.P.) designation. To learn more, go to www.fitt.ca.
Many of Canada's exporters are also in the business of importing. ImportSource.ca is the importer's gateway to a comprehensive range of resources designed to help with every stage of the import process.
Market preparation programs
There are also a number of programs that offer exporters assistance in reaching specific markets. These are:
ExportUSA
This service includes three programs:
- The New Exporters to Border States (NEBS) program is a key export education tool for companies just starting out in exporting to the United States. It includes a visit to a Canadian Consulate and meetings with trade officers.
- The Exporters to the United States (EXTUS) program is directed to companies already exporting to the U.S. that want to expand their export business. It includes trade mini-missions that last from one to three days and are often coordinated with trade shows to give participants a close look at a specific sector. It provides sessions with industry experts and helps the exporter establish networks with distributors, representatives and buyers.
- The Reverse NEBS program serves Canadian companies not yet exporting to the United States by providing seminars in Canada covering the essentials of exporting.
You can access ExportUSA at geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/main/menu-en.asp.
New Exporters to Overseas (NEXOS)
These missions, often revolving around an international trade fair, are designed to introduce Canadian businesses to a European market.
Provincial/territorial and municipal governments, business and trade associations, educational institutions and private industry are all excellent sources of assistance, offering a range of programs and services for exporters.
Finding sources of assistance
Exporting is a complex undertaking that demands access to a lot of specialized knowledge. But through TCI, its members and partners, you'll be able to find out just about anything you need to know.
Export Information Service 1 888 811-1119
One call to TCI's toll-free Export Information Service leads to a world of export information, products and services for potential, preparing and experienced exporters. Operated by the network of 13 Canada Business Service Centres across the country, this number connects you to officers in your region who will direct you to the services, programs and information resources that can serve you best. The Export Information Service is available from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in all time zones. Help is also available by email, fax or TTY (Contact Us). Many Canada Business Service Centre (CBSC) locations also provide a walk-in service. For more information, visit canadabusiness.gc.ca.
The TCI Export Information Service at 1 888 811-1119 is the place to call for more information about the resources described in the Roadmap.
For sector-specific help, see the resources on page 22.
The Trade Commissioner Service in Canada
International Trade Canada's trade commissioners assist companies seeking to enter, expand or diversify their markets. Located in every province, trade commissioners offer a range of services at no cost, including:
- One-on-one Export Help
- Market and Industry Information
- Assistance in Export Financing
- Trade Fairs, Missions and Events
Trade commissioners also work in more than 140 cities around the world and can help you penetrate new markets abroad (see page 14). To contact your trade commissioners in Canada, call 1 888 811-1119 or visit www.infoexport.gc.ca and select Our Offices in Canada.
Regional Trade Networks (RTNs)
Regional Trade Networks are locally-based partnerships of export service providers in every region across Canada. RTNs bring together federal, provincial/territorial and regional governments, industry associations and private sector players to help local businesses succeed in exporting. You'll find a full list of RTNs across Canada on page 24 and at exportsource.ca/rtn. Or call TCI's Export Information Service at 1 888 811-1119 for more information.
Export Development Canada (EDC)
EDC, with its unique trade financial services and valuable global market expertise, is devoted exclusively to helping Canadian exporters and investors doing business around the world. Exporters use EDC's products to ensure they get paid, provide more competitive repayment terms to their buyers, help expand their businesses to new buyers and new markets, and increase their access to working capital. Canadian exporters have been using EDC since 1944, and close to 90 percent of EDC's customers are smaller companies. EDC's main web site is at www.edc.ca. To access EDC's small business services, go to www.edc.ca/SME; for their online services, go to www.edc.ca/online.
Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
CCC offers Canadian exporters unique business solutions to access government procurement markets world-wide and export contracting expertise. Since 1946, CCC has worked with Canadian companies to close export sales on the best possible terms and conditions. From business leads to contract negotiations and contract management, CCC provides solutions to help grow exports. See www.ccc.ca.
Assessing your export readiness
Export Readiness Diagnostic
Answering the questions in this online diagnostic tool will give you an opportunity to test your export readiness and identify priorities as you prepare for a foreign market. If you have already started exporting, or want to expand your efforts, you may learn some tips from the questions that will help improve your profitability. Go to exportsource.ca/diagnostic
Customs matters: Getting started with documentation
Import/Export Account Number
If you don't have an import/export account number with the Canada Revenue Agency, you must register for one through the "Business Registration Online" service at www.businessregistration.gc.ca or by calling 1 800 959-5525.
Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED)
Tired of going to the Customs Office to report non-U.S. exports? You can complete and submit your export declaration to the Government of Canada right from your place of business by using the CAED system. The Web page at www.statcan.ca/english/exports will get you started.
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