What to export, where to export, how much is involved and what do I get in return on my investment among other questions are usually on the lips of many serious intending exporters.

Without mincing words, I will try to address these and other questions as much as I can. While at it, we will learn, earn and live on export without getting our fingers burnt!

Before we proceed, let me introduce my company that I represent here to you. Upland and Riverine Limited (RC 1216724) is a logistics and support services company.

Our services include :
• Customs Clearance & Export Documentation
• Project Logistics
• Ports Operations
• Project Development
• Purchasing and Supply

For the purpose of this thread, we provide following services for intending and professional #Exporters:

*Temporary importation / Repair and Return
*Documentation and Shipping
*Training / Consultation

I will be your host, handle, student and companion. Let's begin!

* * * *
Adebola House, Suite 100 (Rear Car Park Wing), 38, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
We can connect on Skype or twitter @UplandRiverine
Call / WhatsApp: +234 (0) 808 512 8406, 706 666 2687
E-mail: info@uplandriverine.com

Welcome

Time space for the second post seems a little long. Sorry, over feeding at yuletide season is one big reason (lols).

Now on a serious note, . . .

So we want to talk about export? It is important we first examine some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before getting to the nitty-gritty of the subject matter. We will also discuss setting the right objectives as an anchor to success and then proceed to salient and subtle fundamentals.

So, the FAQs.

FAQs
To make reading easier, let's take them in batches.

#Who can export?
Anybody can export as long as you have the interest and determination.

#Who is an exporter?
There are three types or say categories of exporter. There are manufacturing exporter, Merchant exporter and Agent exporter. You could chose to be any of this to take part in the export market.

#How can I start?
A good way to start is by learning and understanding what you want to be involved in. This is possible by reading some books on international trade, attending seminar, work with a freight forwarding company or using third party to act on your behalf.

#What are the export requirement?
Individuals are not allowed to export. To export, you must have a registered business, have export license, Tax Identification Number (TIN), & domiciliary account (for export proceed). Other requirement depends on products.

FAQs - 2

#How much do I need to start?
There is neither minimum nor maximum budget. It is however advisable to exercise caution and test water with a single feet. For a first time exporter, please start small no matter your capacity.

#I do not have prior experience in international trade, can I still export?
Yes.

#Can individual export?
No, you need to have a registered company

#We produce for local market, but need expansion, is exporting an option?
Yes. One of primary objectives why people engage in export business.

FAQs -3

#What can I export
To avoid long unending list, you can export anything. Yes, anything as long as there a buyer and it is permissible in the other country.

#What is the most marketable export product?
Any product that has commercial value.

#Can I base on one product only.?
Yes, very advisable. It is strongly recommended to limit your product to two or three.

#Any export product to avoid.
No. But limit your reliance on commodities that are liable to legislation or ban. Such as Charcoal and Hardwood.

following sir

FAQs - 4

#Which country is the most export friendly of all?
There is no country with free access without some regulation, choose your product & market wisely.

#What do I need to start export?
Apart from export requirements above, zeal and understanding of the product and your market is very important.

#Can I use someone else's export license to export?
No. You need to process your own.

#Can I export just anything?
No. Apart from generally banned items such as artifacts, all goods imported with duty paid on them . . . Etc, you need to ensure that what you are exporting is allowed to enter and will be cleared at their port

#Who pays the shipping cost?
It depends on your sales agreement and terms of trade.

@OP keep up the good work

FAQs - 5
The last part of the FAQs.

#What is the average shipping company charge?
There are freight and local charges. Local charges is relatively fixed @ approximately #33,000 while freight charge varies from one company to the other and depend greatly on size of the container / dimension (for non - containerized) , destination, and weight. Freight charge is negotiable.

#What determine shipping company to use?
Destination and price. Different shipping lines have dedicated service route. Some shipping line go to the East from Apapa port only, while some from Tincan.

#If I want to start export today, what would you advice?
Well, in term of product, know what is easily accessible to you and the market you know you can serve. Overall, take time and plan, know your pains and gain, don't rush it.

#How can Upland and Riverine Ltd help?
Tell us the stage you are, where you need us and we will take it up from there.

I have delayed posting on this thread due to some request I have received and the tone of some WhatsApp chats and I have reconsidered my stance on full disclosure of information that I know and needs to be shared in export trade.

My intention of starting this thread was to create little awareness on export, give some information (what would ordinarily be a manual in seminar) then follow it up with mentoring (offer guide and services on any selected product(s)) to any interested persons.

Doing that now would mean creating avenue for some people lurking around to get cheap information and be selling to people.

I believe reading give knowledge, it does not make anyone an expert in the subject matter, at least in the immediate short term. One of big reason I am not a fan of seminar.

However, I will not stop posting but reduce volume and details of information here.

****
And please, I am not father Christmas, this is strictly business, nothing comes free, it takes money to get money, if you truly have interest in something, make your commitment.

Please, I do not give anyone authority to copy part or whole of anything I put up here.

God bless us all!

Some important commercial terms.

Having answer some FAQs above, it is important we know some terms of international trade as this dictates who is responsible for what, where and when. Please do not develop cold feet over what you might expect to be technical details, they are simple things and I will try and make them explanatory enough to understand.

Apparently, there are many of these terms but I am just going to examine very few ones that have most day to day relevant in the export trade. Take it as a guide.

INCOTERMS (International Commercial Terms) - 1

FOB – Free On Board (named port or place of shipment, e.g FOB Lagos)
The seller must load the goods on board the vessel nominated by the buyer or otherwise. Cost and risk are divided when the goods are actually on board of the vessel.

The seller must clear the goods for export but the buyer pays for the freight and other associated costs after loading. There is no insurance involved.

INCOTERMS - 2

CFR – Cost and Freight (named port of destination, e.g CFR Houston, Texas)
Seller must pay the costs and freight to take the goods to the port of destination. However, risk is transferred to the buyer once the goods are loaded on the vessel and Insurance for the goods is NOT included. This term was formerly known as C&F.

This mean the seller pays for all costs from processing, packing, documentation, warehousing, to trucking, and freight EXCLUDING Insurance.

nice thread op

bighorlus:
nice thread op

Thanks

CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight (named port of destination)
Exactly the same as CFR except that the seller must in addition procure and pay for the insurance.

INCOTERMS - 4

EXW – Ex Works (named place e.g EXW FTZ, Lagos)
The seller makes the goods available at its premises. EXW means that a seller has the goods ready for collection at his premises (works, farm, factory, warehouse, plant) on the date agreed upon. The buyer pays all transportation costs and also bears the risks for bringing the goods to their final destination.

This term places maximum obligation on the buyer and minimum obligations on the seller. The Ex Works term is often used when making an initial quotation for the sale of goods without any costs included.

In this case, If parties wish seller to be responsible for the loading of the goods and to bear the risk and any costs at all, this must be made explicitly clear.

*FTZ - Free Trade Zone

INCOTERMS - 5

DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (named place of destination e.g DDP Jacksonville)
This is exact opposite of EXW above. Seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the named place in the country of the buyer, and pays all costs in bringing the goods to the destination including import duties and taxes. This term places the maximum obligations on the seller and minimum obligations on the buyer.

Though rarely used in export except in Procurement and Supply, it is not inevitable and seller should try and avoid this type of agreement.

While we will examine some other terms as it applies in the course of this thread, place take a look at this chart as a guide

Source: https://cargofromchina.com/incoterms/

TGIF . . . to be continued!

. . .

In the light of the above background, it is advisable for exporters to avoid, where possible, from trade terms that would put more obligations on them such as the payment of import customs duties, taxes and other risks at the buyer's end. E.g DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).

Similarly for importers, dealing in EXW (Ex Works) which would hold the buyer responsible for the export customs clearance, trucking, taxes and other associated costs at the seller's end is not advisable.

These charges and expenses at the seller's/buyer's end may cost more than anticipated.

Where one of the trade terms above is unavoidable, hiring a competent freight forwarder is the solution to avoid losses.

Some important agencies & documents.

*CAC - Certificate of Incorporation
*NEPC - Export Licence
*BANK - NXP form
*ASSAYERS - RFI & CCI
*NESS Receipt
*Customs Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form
*NDLEA
*SSS

*Proforma Invoice
*Packing List
*Final Invoice

** some other product dependent.

Customers like you are the HEART of our BUSINESS! Thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

We love, cherish you and will continue to make your business experience with us a pleasing one. Share the love, share the success. More heights to you all.

Happy Valentine!

Your thread is awesome. Good job. Following

slimjosh43:
Your thread is awesome. Good job. Following

Thanks

TGIF . . While the thread continues, we can both share ideas by asking question to aid our understanding.


Mods: dominique, naijacutee, puskin , FOD

Thank you for this. I would like to know if nafdac number is required for food products meant for exportation. And by food products, I mean packaged food products with labels.

shupy:
Thank you for this. I would like to know if nafdac number is required for food products meant for exportation. And by food products, I mean packaged food products with labels.

Not necessarily a number as we have it on our local foods but a 'health certificate' after inspection and analysis. NAFDAC certification for processed and or semi processed foods is a means of standard measure. Ignoring this could lead to product rejection.

You might want to check with your intended market destination to know their regulations on food importation.

Thanks

@sheffyUTD thank you sir for your response. I've been following this thread since day one. I really appreciate your effort. Exportation is the future for me. I hope you and I would transact in the nearest future.