Posts Tagged ‘japan’
How To: Import Products From Japan
Monday, September 29th, 2008
When it comes to business and the market, many Americans operate under the illusion that the same rules apply to imports from other countries as apply within America itself; namely, grow your business and realize the American dream.
However, all business owners, and particularly those who are importing, have to remember that while the aspirations of the individual are important (if not central in an oblique way) to the well being of the United States, they do not come before the well being of the nation as a whole.
The Pearl of the Orient
So why is this important in an article that discusses imports in Japan? Well, when it comes to the important products being sold today, Japan has us beat in many areas.
Not only that, but the United States and Japan have always had a tense relationship when it comes to trade, largely due to protectionist feelings on the side of the States and isolationist feelings on the side of the Japanese.
This means that import issues and regulations for products from Japan are convoluted in the extreme, and most often have to be looked at on an item by item basis.
So what exactly are the main items that are imported from Japan to the United States? Well, a top three list yields up cars, electronics, and pharmaceuticals in that order.
Other important imports - ones that businesses are built around - include semi-conductors and petro chemicals.
For the individual American businessperson, it is the first three that are likely going to be the targets of your business, so let’s take a quick look as best we can into some of the procedures and customs you are likely to encounter when you are looking to import from Japan.
• Always be polite. One of the biggest mistakes that American entrepreneurs make when dealing with business partners, particularly those in the Far East, is neglecting manners.
Japanese business means you don’t let your feelings show - and that is the most important rule there is.
• Be prepared to pay. Unfortunately for the individual entrepreneur, those cheap prices on all manner of great Japanese products don’t stay so cheap once they are in your hand.
The reason? Those tense trade relations we were talking about. The top three imports from Japan are all areas in which the States would like to take a lead, so in order to combat a flooding of the US market with Japanese goods there are some pretty high tariffs.
You can expect that price to skyrocket once you get it into the States, and you will have to build around that in the retail value.
• Approach business like business! A really big mistake that a lot of foreign importers make with Japanese companies is not treating them like American companies.
It’s hard not to get wrapped up in our perception of Japanese culture, but you have to remember that business is business all over the world - and you can’t take honesty for granted from anyone!
It is also important that, if you are importing anything from Japan, that you keep in touch with current events on the US/Japan trade front.
There are almost continuous court cases being brought up between governments and businesses in regards to Japan/American trade, any one of which could affect you and your business.
Most people find it much easier to go through a middle company, one which can act as a broker; again, this is really only feasible if you are planning on retailing high end goods.
Tags: customs, Doing Business Internationally, how to, import, importing products, international business, japan, products, tips
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