Import How-To / Educational

Reference material to help you

There is an excellent collection of How To/Educational reference material to help you with importing. Each of the publications listed in this section are available for reference in the Small Business BC Trade and Markets Library.

How To Publications

Cross Border Movement of Business People and the NAFTA
This site contains general information on criteria and procedures for cross-border movement under the NAFTA as well as related immigration requirements with the view of making them more transparent. These guidelines affect Canadian business persons entering the U.S. and Mexico, and U.S. and Mexican business persons entering Canada.

Basics of Import/Export
This is a comprehensive introductory textbook on import and export, customs and international trade. Topics discussed include: import/export terminology, transportation, preparation of product for foreign market, methods of payment, customs legislation and procedures, documentation and international business blunders.
(ISBN: 0-03-922939-4)

Building an Import/Export Business
This book will help readers decide whether to start small-scale import and/or export businesses and then show how to get started and avoid the pitfalls. The book covers start-up considerations and operational procedures to marketing techniques and trade agreements.
(ISBN: 0-471-17787-3)

Import Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Start an Import
Business
This guide gives an overview of what importing is all about, answers basic questions that must be considered in setting up and import business and provides an overview of some of the most important rules and regulations.
(ISBN: 0-921814-00-3)

Import / Export – A guide to Growth, Profits, and Market Share
This book is a guide for the small and medium-sized companies that are relatively new to the international trade arena. The book includes step-by-step instructions to simplify procedures. Provides shipping and customs hints, sample letters-of-credit, trade data (statistics and sources), forms for pricing determination, and government, shipping and customs forms.
(ISBN: 0-13-451865-9)

Import/Export Business
This helpful guide is divided into the following subsections: Market / Location, Facility Equipment, Personnel, Legal Requirements, Record Keeping & Taxes, Financial Management, Advertising / Promotion, Operations, Start-up, Appendix (Business Resources, Sources of Supply, Glossary, & Index).

Importing/Export – How To Get Started In International Trade
This is a guidebook for those interested in international trade, including information on starting an import/export business, trading with the U.S., Europe and Asia. (ISBN: 0-07-046276-3)

Introduction to Import Marketing
This is a basic guidebook that introduces the theories and concepts involved in importing with specific emphasis on the planning and strategic problems confronting the importer. It also includes a guide to completing the standard Canada Customs B3 entry form, explanation of Letters of Credit and a suggested layout for your International Business Plan.

Start Your Own Import/Export Business
This book explains different approaches to the import/export business - from working as a consultant for other countries wanting to sell their product to selling to a wholesale at home or abroad. It also covers all the necessary elements for getting started: production selection, start-up costs, legal and tax considerations, financial and customs regulations.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in 60 Countries
A guide to doing business in 60 countries. It has country specific chapters that discuss cultural practices, protocol, and business practices.
(ISBN: 1-55850-444-3)

Contracts

A Short Course in International Contracts - Drafting the International Sales Contract
Contracts provide the formal written understanding between parties to a transaction. This book covers the need for contracts in international transactions, trade terms, basic contract provisions, analysis of contract provisions, and recommendations for clearer language. Ten sample contracts and a legal glossary are also provided. Designed for both the non-attorney and attorney.
(ISBN: 1-885073-55-0)

A Short Course in International Payments - Letters of Credit, Documentary Collections and Cyberpayments in International Transactions
This book is designed to help both buyers and sellers learn about international payment options. The relative merits of the four most common types of payments are explained, and the two most common options -- documentary collections and documentary letters of credit -- are featured. (ISBN: 1-885073-50-X)

Also contains chapters on cyberpayments, a comprehensive glossary and a section devoted to documents used in international transactions.

Incoterms 2000
Used the world over to specify the obligations for delivering goods in international contracts, Incoterms 2000 has been revised to bring it up-to-date with changes in international trade such as transportation techniques and electronic data interchange.
(ISBN: 92-842-1199-9)

The ICC Model Distributorship Contract - Sole Importer - Distributor
Distributorship contracts are a frequently used means of organizing the distribution of goods in a foreign country. The ICC model provides a set of uniform contractual rules, which incorporate the prevailing practices in international trade. These rules are carefully targeted to apply only to international agreements where distributors act as buyer-resellers and as importers who organize distribution in the country they are responsible for.
(ISBN: 92-842-1153-0)

The new model is flexible enough to allow the parties to have their contract governed by specific national laws if they so choose. It also provides a series of alternatives for the parties to select on issues that do not have a single solution. This publication will be an invaluable aid to business people involved in international trade and to the lawyers assisting them in drafting and negotiating contracts.

Training Courses

Canada Border Services Agency and Canada Revenue Agency Small Business Seminars
Both Canada Border Services Agency and Canada Revenue Agency offer small business seminars to inform new or prospective businesses about “need to know” information on their rights and obligations under the customs, excise, GST, and income tax legislation, and about the services and help available to them.

FITTskills International Trade Training Program
The FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) is Canada’s national not-for-profit professional trade training organization. FITT offers a hands-on, comprehensive, eight-part training program focused on the practical skills and tools needed to compete internationally. Successful completion leads to a Diploma in International Trade and CITP designation candidacy.