what are typical barriers of entry to international markets?

Question

and specifically can I get an example of a small firm that has overcome these barriers?

Answer 1

a) Shipping is expensive and varies by how/where/and tonnage.
b) Currency fluctuations are murder. Check if you can pull your profit out of the country. Some do not allow this.
c) Insurance can cripple. Get one who will work with you.
d) Distributing is crucial. Finding a good distributer you can trust overseas almost requires a quid pro quo - you distribute theirs and they distribute yours.
e) Licenses are required at both ends. Are you fluent or do you know someone who can communicate in the other language*s*.
f) Try finding someone already in the business and piggyback on their distribution network to start with. You need a broad market to handle a sufficient number of imports to make it worth while. Ditto on the other end.

Answer 2

Not to mention individual trade agreements with each country and individual State Depart ment restrictions.
Unless you have a staff committed to keep up with all changes (and what small business does?) you need an agent. Some who knows the ins and outs of either import or export. They take a small slice of the pie, but they expedite your commerce and shipments. Look for import export agents around ports like Los Angeles New York/ Jersey et al

Answer 3

it is not a loose industry as long as there's a helpful financial corporation. yet i'm no longer confident that limitations are very virtually insurmountably severe, till you're conversing approximately protectionism or government created monopolies....that are no longer loose markets.

Answer 4

Here is a resource for you:

http://www.export-expert.net