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Import Export Business Plan

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Visigoth Imports Inc

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, opportunity.

Visigoth Imports will provide complete import/export brokerage services including purchase contracts, shipping, warehousing, and delivery scheduling. The company will concentrate on special and cultural imports from Germany and Scandinavia to the unique Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA.  Visigoth will provide trade consultation services to newly started farms created under the Puget Consumers Co-op’s Farmland Fund initiative.

Visigoth will be concentrating on servicing just two types of clients, the gift shops of Leavenworth, Washington, and the farmers of the Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC). For both market segments, we have secured exclusive contracts or endorsements putting us in a unique position to service these niche firms and their needs.

Profitability in these two markets is expected to be excellent, especially in the import section as Leavenworth draws in over a million tourists each year. We expect profitability in the co-op end to be much slower in the first five years of operation, but it too will increase steadily.

Competition

Competition includes all potential importing firms that serve small enterprises such as farms and specialty gift shops. Practically speaking, this means the largest import/export firms such as Fisher-Mills, Eagle Distributing, and other large, nationwide companies will not compete with us. Most other companies tend to be regionally focused. The foreign trade industry is highly fragmented, with a large number of small companies that mainly cater to small firms and a few large companies that seek the largest contracts from companies such as Microsoft, GM, etc. This makes competition within the industry very intense. Through our niche strategy we intend to avoid competition and its drawbacks such as price wars, etc.

 We will become the preferred import company for the unique tourist town of Leavenworth. Visigoth understands that the import shops and restaurants in Leavenworth have special needs of most unique gifts for the million tourists that visit the town annually. Visigoth Imports also understands that the newly launched farms of the PCC farmland fund initiative also have higher costs than most competitors and will need to export their produce at a cost that provides sufficient profit. Visigoth Imports has a combined 35 years of experience working in the import/export business. Our philosophy is in creating a long-term relationship with clients so that the delivery of their products becomes a seamless experience that promotes loyalty.

Expectations

Most of the company’s liabilities will come from outside private investors and management investment, however, we have obtained current borrowing from Bank of America Commercial Investments, the principal to be paid off in two years. A long-term loan through Charter Bank of Nieurich will be paid off in ten years.

The company expects to reach profitability in year 2 and does not anticipate any serious cash flow problems. We expect that about 3,500 units per month will guarantee a break-even point.

Financial Highlights by Year

Financing needed.

We will be getting $84,000 from the four founders. 

Problem & Solution

Our solution.

The company will concentrate on special and cultural imports from Germany and Scandinavia to the unique Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA. Visigoth also plans to export apples and other produce by newly started farms created under the Puget Consumers Co-op’s Farmland Fund initiative.

We will become the preferred import company for the unique tourist town of Leavenworth. Visigoth understands that the import shops and restaurants in Leavenworth have special needs of most unique gifts for the million tourists that visit the town annually. Visigoth Imports also understands that the newly launched farms of the PCC farmland fund initiative also have higher costs than most competitors and will need to export their produce at a cost that provides sufficient profit. Visigoth Imports has a combined 35 years of experience working in the import/export business. Our philosophy is in creating a long-term relationship with clients so that the delivery of their products becomes a seamless experience that promotes loyalty.

Target Market

Market size & segments.

Visigoth will be concentrating on servicing just two types of clients, the gift shops of Leavenworth, Washington, and the farmers of the Puget Consumers Co-op. For both market segments, we have secured exclusive contracts or endorsements that put us in a unique position to service these niche firms and their more demanding needs.

Profitability in these two markets is expected to be excellent, especially in the import segment as Leavenworth draws in over a million tourists each year. We expect profitability in the co-op end to be much slower in the first five years of operation, but will increase steadily.

Visigoth intends to be a small import/export company focused on clients serving a niche market. Having secured a very advantageous contract with PCC and gained the endorsement of the Leavenworth city council, we plan to focus exclusively on these market segments. Both have such high potential that we do not see a need to expand our market reach for the foreseeable future.

Current alternatives

Companies usually enter into contracts with import/export firms based on a firm’s reputation for professionalism and service. With no proven track record, a star-up import/export company obtains a "good reputation" through its personnel, people who have experience in other businesses in the industry. Price, reliability and scope are the driving factors for accepting contracts, especially if the import/export company is small.

Our niche clients have different needs than most other firms. Our import clients need to have relatively small numbers of expensive and fragile products moved from Europe to local warehouses in Wenatchee and Leavenworth. Most of these items are handmade so handling is a special issue. In addition, the small companies and shops in Leavenworth depend a great deal on their import agents to alert them to new and unique product introductions overseas.

On the other end, the farms belonging to the PCC need to keep export costs as low as possible since many of them are start-up ventures with initially high overhead. Quite a few trade firms do not accept these types of contracts and leave it to the co-ops to create their own exporting ventures. This can lead to higher costs as most co-ops do not have the core competencies in import/export issues.

Our advantages

Visigoth has made arrangements to export produce from member farms established by the Puget Consumers Co-op Farmland Fund. The Fund works to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. The Fund’s primary focus is on large, functional landscapes of local, regional and statewide importance so protection can be extended to biodiversity and wildlife habitat as well as to farmers and farming communities. The Fund is an independent, community-supported non-profit land trust founded in 1999. The Fund has already rescued a half dozen farms within the state and plans to increase these projects so that by 2007 there will be at least 36 farms that come under the fund’s protection. In addition, approximately 60 farms belonging to the Co-op have expressed interest in contracting with Visigoth.

Keys to Success

Visigoth Imports’ keys to long-term and profitability are as follows:

• Differentiate our services to our niche clients so that they realize that we are better able to serve their needs than a more generic competitor.
• Keeping close contact with clients and establishing a well functioning long-term relationship with them to generate repeat business and create a top notch reputation.
• Establish a comprehensive service experience for our clients that includes consultation, product/client search, purchasing contracts, warehousing, shipping, delivery, and follow up service analysis.

Marketing & Sales

Marketing plan.

Visigoth intends to leverage its contacts with the Leavenworth city council and the Puget Consumers Co-op in order to draw in new clients. The city council works very closely with local businesses in facilitating all aspects of business management in order to keep tourism flowing. Because of this, Visigoth has already signed contracts with nine Leavenworth businesses and we expect to gain a dominant market share within the town.

The PCC will be recommending Visigoth Imports, Inc. to its new farmers as long as we can keep shipping costs within accepted limits. Therefore we expect to have a large proportion of member farmers use our services.

Visigoth intends to develop sales by establishing close contact with potential clients. We will begin by offering a free consultation in terms of overall cost, service, and delivery. In addition, we intend to promote our management team’s extensive experience both with German gift manufacturers and artisans, and our knowledge of the produce trade environment to draw in our target market segments.

Visigoth offers complete import/export brokerage services plus inventory consulting services. As mentioned previously, this includes the following:

• Supplier/buyer identification
• Purchasing process contracting and consulting
• Shipping setup
• Warehousing arrangements

It must be noted that Visigoth does not posess any warehousing facilities and intends to outsource this particular service.This means that we will have virtually no variable costs associated with unit sales.

Visigoth will be importing such things as steins, figurines, Christmas gifts, germanic foodstuffs, cuckoo clocks, and nutcrackers from Germany, where Mr. Curtiss has had extensive experience. In addition Visigoth will be importing Scandinavian wool products such as sweaters and other gift items. 

The company will be exporting produce, primarily apples, to Europe.

Our revenue model is based on a commission rate charged to our clients scaled on the dollar value of goods moved per order.

Milestones & Metrics

Milestones table, key metrics.

Our key metrics are: 

• monitor tweets and retweets to measure long term customer relationships 
• # of reviews 
• # of returning customers 
• # of our most popular products 

Ownership & Structure

The company will have a number of outside private investors who will own 27% of the company’s shares. The rest will be owned by the senior management including Mr. Frank Curtiss, (25%), Ms. Hannah Mills (20%), Mr. Steve Iltheus (20%), and Mr. Pierce Bolm (8%). All other financing will come from loans.

Management team

Visigoth’s management brings to the company strong capabilities in all aspects of trade relations, logistics, contracting and selling.

Mr. Frank Curtiss is a former master distributor with Fisher-Mills, one of the nation’s largest import/export firms. During his 10 years with Fisher-Mills he worked exclusively on trade contracts with Germany. Mr. Curtiss accepted a position with Eagle Distributors as a department head. By introducing American wines into eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics he demonstrated his flair for opening new markets. Mr. Curtiss has an MBA in finance and an BS in International Relations.

Ms. Hannah Mills graduated with honors from the University of Oregon, having earned a bachelors degree in marketing.  After that Ms. Mills worked for Stanford Distributors working with canning companies in the midwest region. After that she went to work for Anderson Consulting in their International Trade division. Finally Ms. Mills became vice president of A.V. Imports.

Personnel Table

Financial plan investor-ready personnel plan .">, key assumptions.

We assume: 

• Everyone appreciates a beautiful spot 
• The town and company has a lot to offer tourists 

Revenue by Month

Expenses by month, net profit (or loss) by year, use of funds.

Our use of funds are:

Legal $2,000

Insurance $1,000

Rent $2,000

Accounting and bookkeeping fees $2,000

Expensed equipment $2,000

Advertising $4,000

Other $8,000

TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES $21,000

Sources of Funds

Our Planned investment is: 

Mr. Frank Curtiss $25,000

Ms. Hannah Mills $23,000

Mr. Steve Iltheus $23,000

Mr. Pierce Bolm $23,000

TOTAL PLANNED INVESTMENT $84,000

Projected Profit and Loss

Projected balance sheet, projected cash flow statement.

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Import Export Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Import Export Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Import Export business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Import Export businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Import Export business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Trade Global is a startup Import/Export company located in Houston, Texas. The company was founded by Ted Rogers, who has deep experience as a wholesale distribution executive. Ted has long aspired to work for himself, and has been systematically acquiring the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully operate an import/export business. The combination of his skills and drive positions him to succeed. What’s more, he has an extensive network of contacts across the globe, which will provide an edge in acquiring clientele.

Product Offering

Trade Global has acquired a warehouse in Hong Kong, and has entered into contracts with five Asian manufacturers to export goods to the United States. As the company gains credibility and grows its client base, it has plans to begin building its own fleet of cargo ships that will carry goods both into and out of the United States.

Customer Focus

Trade Global will procure products from manufacturers and wholesale products to distributors throughout the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Management Team

Trade Global will be owned and operated by Ted Rogers. Ted has a background as a wholesaler, and is a graduate of Michigan State University’s Supply Chain Management program, and subsequently earned an Export/Import Certificate from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Success Factors

Trade Global will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified owner
• An ideal warehouse location in Hong Kong, with ample room for expansion
• FTZ status with Port Houston

Financial Highlights

Trade Global is seeking $750,000 in debt financing to launch its import/export operation. The funding will be dedicated towards procuring, packing, and shopping products, and payroll of the staff until the firm reaches break even. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Inventory: $250,000
• Shipping costs: $250,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $200,000
• Marketing costs: $20,000
• Working capital: $20,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Trade Global.

Company Overview

Who is trade global.

Trade Global is a startup import/export company located in Hong Kong and Houston, Texas. The company was founded by Ted Rogers, who has deep experience as a wholesale distribution executive. Ted has long aspired to work for himself, and has been systematically acquiring the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully operate an import/export business. The combination of his skills and drive positions him to succeed. What’s more, he has an extensive network of contacts across the globe, which will provide an edge in acquiring clientele.

  Trade Global aims to deliver a wide variety of goods both into and out of the United States. The team is highly qualified and experienced in sales and supply chain management.

Trade Global History

Trade Global is owned and operated by Ted Rogers, a former distribution executive and ICC certified Importer/Exporter. Ted has worked for a large wholesale company and oversaw a wide variety of accounts from around the world. Derek’s tenure with the wholesale distribution company, as well as his education in Supply Chain Management has given him the skills and knowledge required to venture out and start his own company. Ted has been awarded contracts with two large Chinese manufacturers, which guarantees Trade Global stability while it works to increase its reach.

Since incorporation, Trade Global has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Trade Global, LLC to transact business in the state of Texas.
• Acquired an import license from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Has acquired an existing warehouse in Hong Kong.
• Reached out to numerous manufacturers to apply for wholesale contracts.
• Entered into a contract with a deep sea cargo transportation company.
• Began recruiting warehouse workers, and office personnel to work at Trade Global.

Import Export Services

Trade Global has signed contracts with two manufacturers, to export goods from China to the US. It will begin as a small exporter, with ample warehouse space for growth. The company will keep abreast of logistics technology innovations as it grows.

Industry Analysis

The US import/export industry is significant in terms of revenue. According to the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), the total value of US goods and services exports in 2022 was approximately $2.09 trillion, and the value of imports was approximately $3.0 trillion. This resulted in a trade deficit of roughly $948.1 billion for the year. The revenue generated by the industry is a combination of goods and services exported and imported by the United States.

Over the last few decades, the US import/export industry has seen consistent growth. The USITC data indicates that the total value of US exports and imports has grown substantially since the 1980s. This growth is influenced by factors such as globalization, trade agreements, technological advancements, and evolving consumer demands.

The trade deficit, which occurs when the value of imports exceeds exports, has been a subject of concern for policymakers. Reducing the trade deficit has been a goal of various US administrations.

Several trends have shaped the US import/export industry:

• Globalization: Increased globalization has allowed US businesses to access international markets and global supply chains. This trend has led to an expansion in both exports and imports, as well as an interconnected global economy.
• E-commerce: The growth of e-commerce has had a substantial impact on the industry. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have easier access to international markets through online platforms, leading to a boost in exports of services and goods.
• Trade Policies: Trade policies, such as tariffs and trade agreements, have a significant impact on the industry. The US has experienced trade tensions with several countries, notably China. These policies can influence the types of goods and services that are imported and exported.
• Technology: Advancements in technology have made it easier for businesses to engage in international trade. Technologies like blockchain, logistics software, and automation have improved efficiency and tracking in the import/export process.
• Environmental and Ethical Concerns: There is a growing focus on sustainable and ethical trade practices. Consumers and businesses are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of products, leading to changes in supply chain management and the types of goods being imported and exported.
• Geopolitical Factors: Geopolitical factors, such as trade relations with China, Brexit, and tensions in the Middle East, can affect trade patterns and the stability of the import/export industry.

Customer Analysis

Profile of target market.

Trade Global will initially target manufacturing companies in China, and wholesale companies in the US.

The precise data for these target markets are:

China In 2022, the total merchandise exports from China amounted to around 24 trillion yuan. This included 6.3 trillion yuan worth of high and new-tech products and over 13.6 trillion yuan worth of mechanical and electronic products.

As of 2021, there were around 25,200 state-owned industrial enterprises above designated size in China.

United States The Wholesale Trade sector is an intermediary step in the supply chain process. Companies in the sector distribute goods from agriculture, mining, manufacturing and information industries to downstream markets, typically without any transformation. In 2023, the US Wholesale sector is valued at $11.3 trillion.

Customer Segmentation

Trade Global will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Small to medium manufacturers of FMCG in China
• Wholesale distributors of FMCG in US

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Trade Global will face competition from other companies with similar business models. A description of each competitor company is below.

Global Electronic Imports & Exports, Inc.

Established in 1990, Global Electronic Imports & Exports specializes in the import and export of consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, and audio equipment. They also deal in a range of accessories and components related to consumer electronics.

Global Electronic Imports & Exports has long-standing partnerships with major electronics manufacturers in Asia, including Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. They also collaborate with major US-based retailers for distribution.

Global Electronic Imports & Exports reported an annual trade volume of approximately $150 million in consumer electronics and related products last year.

Natural Foods International

Established in 2005, Natural Foods International specializes in the import and export of food products, with a focus on organic and non-GMO items. They deal in a wide range of commodities, including grains, nuts, and dried fruits.

The company has established partnerships with a network of international organic farms and cooperatives. They also have distribution agreements with major US grocery chains, such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s.

Last year, Natural Foods International reported a trade volume of approximately $85 million in organic and non-GMO food products.

Titan Heavy Machinery, Inc.

Established in 1998, Titan Heavy Machinery is a specialized import/export company focusing on the heavy equipment and construction industry. Their product range includes excavators, bulldozers, and industrial vehicles.

The company has close partnerships with leading heavy machinery manufacturers, particularly in Japan and Germany. They also collaborate with construction and mining companies in the US and overseas.

Last year, Titan Heavy Machinery reported a trade volume of approximately $60 million in heavy equipment and machinery, serving the construction and infrastructure development sectors.

Competitive Advantage

Trade Global will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Smaller, more personal operation, with highly-qualified supply chain experts
• Trade Global stays abreast of all technology developments, constantly seeks to improve the supply chain, and delivers an accurate and complete shipment to each customer.
• Trade Global offers competitive pricing for its services. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Trade Global will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of supply chain experts that provide a comprehensive suite of export/import services (sales, packaging, shipping, customs, tariff/financial, marketing, expedient delivery).
• Unbeatable pricing to its clients – Trade Global does not mark up its services at a large percentage, offering competitive pricing.

Promotions Strategy

Flexibility and adaptability are key in marketing, as the import/export industry is subject to changes in international trade policies, global economic conditions, and shifting market dynamics.

The promotions strategy for Trade Global is as follows:

Create a Strong Online Presence:

Trade Global will build a professional, user-friendly website that showcases the company’s services, products, and expertise. The site will be optimized for search engines (SEO) to improve its visibility in online search results.

Network and Build Relationships:

Trade Global will make a point of attending a variety of trade shows and industry events to meet potential clients, suppliers, and partners, since building and maintaining relationships in the import/export industry is often critical to success.

Trade Global will also join industry-specific associations and chambers of commerce to gain credibility and access a network of contacts.

Online Marketing:

Trade Global will list products or services on established online B2B marketplaces like Alibaba, Global Sources, or TradeIndia to reach a global audience.

Trade Global will launch an email marketing campaign to reach potential clients, partners, and suppliers. Share industry news, company updates, and promotional offers.

The company will use online advertising platforms such as Google Ads and social media advertising to deliver targeted ads that promote import/export services.

Trade Publications and Directories:

Trade Global will advertise the business in relevant industry directories and advertise in trade publications specific to each product niche.

Trade Global’s pricing will be moderate and on par with competitors so clients feel they receive value when purchasing their goods and services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Trade Global. Operation Functions:

• Ted Rogers will initially handle all procurement, finding goods, buyers for goods, negotiating prices, and arranging logistics.
• The company will employ an administrative assistant, who will handle all documentation and answer non-urgent communications.
• The company will employ three warehouse managers to oversee logistics operations.

Milestones:

Trade Global will have the following milestones complete in the next eight months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize construction of warehouse space
• 6/1/202X – Complete recruitment process for warehouse management
• 6/15/202X – Finalize shipping partnerships
• 8/1/202X – Finalize wholesale contracts
• 11/15/202X – Complete hiring of warehouse team
• 12/1/202X – Receive first products intended for export

Trade Global will be owned and operated by Ted Rogers, who will oversee the procurement and logistical operations.

Ted Rogers has a background in wholesale, and is a graduate of Michigan State University’s Supply Chain Management program, and subsequently earned an Export/Import Certificate from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Trade Global has begun the recruitment process for experienced Warehouse Managers in Hong Kong, and expects to complete the hiring process within one month.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Trade Global will largely rely on finding the best buyers for products being imported/exported. In addition, negotiating the lowest shipping costs will be a significant factor in revenue realized.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required to procure goods, and operate the warehouse. The major expenses will be payroll, and shipping costs.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and to pay off the startup business loan.

• Sales Revenue: Projected sales revenue will be broken down by product or service, region, and customer segments.
• Gross Margin: Profit projections will account for variations in costs, such as shipping, import duties, and currency fluctuations.
• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): This includes the cost of acquiring the goods for import or export.
• Currency Exchange Rates: Exchange rates can significantly impact the financial performance of an importer/exporter.
• Credit Terms: Credit terms offered to customers and suppliers impact cash flow and working capital requirements.
• Inventory Turnover: Carrying costs and storage expenses will impact profit; therefore, an accurate forecast of how quickly inventory will need to be replenished is important
• Taxes and Duties: Import/export duties, taxes, and customs fees based on the countries involved in the trade
• Economic Conditions: inflation rates, interest rates, and political stability can affect profitability

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, import export business plan faqs, what is an import export business plan.

An import export business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your import export business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Import Export business plan using our Import Export Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Import Export Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of import export businesses , some examples include: Export management company, Export trading company, and Import-export merchant (or free agent).

How Do You Get Funding for Your Import Export Business Plan?

Import Export businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start an Import Export Business?

Starting an import export business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop An Import Export Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed import export business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your import export business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your import export business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Import Export Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your import export business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your import export business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Import Export Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your import export business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your import export business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.