How to get started in the importing/exporting of specialty foods business, olives, olive oil...etc ?

Answer 1

LOTS of huge hurdles - but really profitable if you can find a nitch that needs to be filled.

First - market research. Find a product line and become the supreme expert on that line; (2) Begin the research regarding what import permits you need. Start with your state government (department of health). You'll need to contact the Border control service (department of Homeland Security). They're on the web (see below). (3) Storage and distribution: this one is often the giant killer. You have to find a way to get onto the shelf at grocery stores or at specialty stores. That often means paying "Slotting fees" - which are essentially bribes to the major grocery chains to give your products favorable shelf space (and placement). These fees can often run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. IF you can get over that hurdle, you'll still need to have a way to get your product into each store. That means you either have to deliver to the company's main warehouse and have THEM do the stocking, etc. or pay your own people to do it. That means having quasi-independet people in the field to handle orders and product placement.

(4) If you can overcome all of the previous hurdles, you will still have to keep product flowing into the country. That means contacting shippers and dealing with tarriff agents, etc.

Good luck! I hope that you're able to make a go of it.

Edmond