How hard is it to start an import/export business?

Alfonso Llanes, Master Degree in International Development

Answered just now

Commerce whether domestic or international is one of our ancient occupations that still thrive today. Transportation and trade are the two largest sources of income for many countries, corporations and individuals from the artisan to the banker.

One must recall the Phoenicians as being one of the oldest merchants in the Mediterranean which activity was later taken by the Romans and other merchants such as French, Germans, Dutch and so on. A famous name from the past is Venetian merchant and adventurer by the named of Marco Polo who traded from Europe to Asia in 1271 to 1295. The list of merchants is long and extends from land traders to much later sea traders once they learned the art of sailing and became the major source of merchandise exchange across nations and it remains true today. Christopher Columbus, explorer and navigator discovered the New World trying to find a shorter route between Europe and India for the trade of spices.

An argument can be made that— trade continuously offers new opportunities to entry as the world becomes more globalized and transportation services cover and ever growing portion of the planet. Exotic fruits and vegetables as well as manufactures are traded globally every day whether they come from factories or from artisans and artists looking for new markets.

Microfinance is available in many regions of the world offering an array of financial services, including loans, savings and insurance made available to poor entrepreneurs and small business owners who have no collateral and otherwise would not qualify for a standard bank loan.

All the elements for commerce are there, however, the exercise is to find a niche market and a product with a pricing difference that would make up for all expenses and still leave a margin of profit for the entrepreneur.