Advantages and disadvantages of exporting (2024)

Exportingoutside Northern Ireland can change your business. Like any fundamental change to the way you trade, there are risks as well as benefits you should consider. You should weigh them up before starting to move into overseas markets.

Advantages of exporting

  • You could significantly expand your markets, leaving you less dependent on any single one.

  • Greater production can lead to larger economies of scale and better margins.

  • Your research and development budget could work harder as you can change existing products to suit new markets.

Disadvantages of exporting

There are ways you can manage the risks of exporting.

Tax considerations when exporting

You will have different responsibilities for VAT depending on whether you sell to other European Union (EU) countries or export your goods outside of the EU.

If you sell to other countries in the EU, you must keep records and submit details of these sales on your VAT return. If you have a high level of sales to EU countries, you must complete an Intrastat Supplementary declaration. Read an introduction to Intrastat.

If you sell to countries outside the EU, you must keep documents that count as proof of export. These must identify:

  • the exporter

  • the customer

  • the goods and their value

  • the export destination

  • the mode of transport and the route.

In both cases, most goods you export will be zero-rated for VAT. You should check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Advantages and disadvantages of exporting (2024)

FAQs

What are advantages and disadvantages of exporting? ›

You could significantly expand your markets, leaving you less dependent on any single one. Greater production can lead to larger economies of scale and better margins. Your research and development budget could work harder as you can change existing products to suit new markets.

What are the advantages of exports? ›

Exporting offers plenty of benefits and opportunities, including:
  • Access to more consumers and businesses. ...
  • Diversifying market opportunities so that even if the domestic economy begins to falter, you may still have other growing markets for your goods and services.
  • Expanding the lifecycle of mature products.

Which is a disadvantage of direct exporting? ›

Disadvantages of Direct Exporting

It requires more time, energy and money than you may be able to afford. It requires more "people power" to cultivate a customer base. Servicing the business will demand more responsibility from every level of your organization. You are held accountable for whatever happens.

What are the disadvantages of imports? ›

Disadvantages of importing:
  • Foreign exchange risk. There is the danger that there will be a sudden large change in the currency exchange rate. ...
  • Piracy risk. Even if rare, this possibility must be considered.
  • Political risk. There are many scenarios where this may be a hindrance. ...
  • Legal risk. ...
  • Cultural risk.

What are the problems of exporting? ›

Below are common challenges faced by companies who choose to export their products and their respective solutions.
  • Unclear Logistical Business Planning. ...
  • Inexperience With Border Control And Distribution Laws. ...
  • Understanding Legalities For Each Market. ...
  • Financial Risk In Currency Exchange Rates.
29 Jun 2020

What are the risks of exporting? ›

What Are the Types of Export Risks?
  • Political Risks. Exporters can face significant political risks when doing business in various countries. ...
  • Legal Risks. Laws and regulations vary around the world. ...
  • Credit & Financial Risk. ...
  • Quality Risk. ...
  • Transportation and Logistics Risk. ...
  • Language and Cultural Risk.

Is export negative or positive? ›

Effect on Gross Domestic Product

In this equation, exports minus imports (X – M) equals net exports. When exports exceed imports, the net exports figure is positive. This indicates that a country has a trade surplus. When exports are less than imports, the net exports figure is negative.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of indirect exporting? ›

What does indirect export mean?
AdvantagesDisadvantages
no or very few extra staff requiredlower profit margins
agent knows and has access to the market and distribution channelsdependence on commitment of partner
more complete market coverage possibleno direct customer contact
smaller financial risks
4 more rows

What are the barriers in export? ›

Sometimes referred to as “red tape,” these barriers typically include quotas, boycotts, licences, standards and heavy regulations, local content requirements, restrictions on foreign investment, domestic government purchasing policies, exchange controls and subsidies.

How do exports benefit the economy? ›

Exports help a nation grow. As a trading component, they assume importance in diplomatic and foreign policies. Countries export goods and services in which they have a competitive or comparative advantage. Governments encourage exports because they increase revenues, jobs, foreign currency reserves, and liquidity.

What do you mean by exporting? ›

In economics, exporting is the practice of producing a good or service in one country and selling it to consumers in another country.

What are the 3 disadvantages of trade? ›

Here are a few of the disadvantages of international trade:
  • Disadvantages of International Shipping Customs and Duties. International shipping companies make it easy to ship packages almost anywhere in the world. ...
  • Language Barriers. ...
  • Cultural Differences. ...
  • Servicing Customers. ...
  • Returning Products. ...
  • Intellectual Property Theft.
15 Mar 2018

Which is better export or import? ›

Trade balance

When a country exports more goods and services than it imports, it creates a trade surplus. A trade surplus can represent a healthy economy, as it demonstrates a positive flow of currency from foreign entities. Meanwhile, a country that imports more than it exports represents a trade deficit.

What is direct exporting and its advantages? ›

The advantages of direct exporting for your company include more control over the export process, potentially higher profits, and a closer relationship to the overseas buyer and marketplace, as well as the opportunity to learn what you can do to boost overall competitiveness.

What are two advantages of indirect exporting? ›

Advantages of Indirect Exporting
  • Low risk involved with getting started.
  • Export process is relatively hands-off.
  • Increased focus on domestic business while others take care of international markets.
  • Depending on which type of intermediary you go with, you may not have to concern yourself with shipment and other logistics.
21 Aug 2020

What are the disadvantages of export credits? ›

Disadvantages of Export Credit Insurance Policy

They include: The Policy may not cover high-risk accounts – In most scenarios, the trade credit insurance policies may not be available for accounts with high credit risk. Besides, those that offer the coverage often charge very high fees.

What are the risks of importing and exporting? ›

Insurance: export and import risks
  • loss of or damage to goods in transit.
  • non-payment for your goods or services.
  • the cost of returning to your premises any goods that a buyer abroad refuses to accept.
  • political or economic instability in the buyer's country.
  • a new customer's credit worthiness.
  • currency fluctuations.

What are advantages of importing? ›

Advantages of importing

Importing raw materials and goods is one of the paths of increasing the profit margins. There are number of benefits in importing the goods, such as high quality, low prices, introducing new products to the market, reducing costs, becoming a leader in the industry.

Which country exports more than imports? ›

China is the country with the largest trade surplus or highest negative net imports. In other words, it is the biggest net exporter in total value terms.

What is the greatest barrier to exporting? ›

The most direct barrier to trade is an embargo– a blockade or political agreement that limits a foreign country's ability to export or import. Embargoes still exist, but they are difficult to enforce and are not common except in situations of war. The most common barrier to trade is a tariff–a tax on imports.

What are the three types of exporting? ›

Export entry modes
  • Indirect export: this is when the manufacturing company does not take direct care of the exporting activities. ...
  • Direct export: This usually occurs when the producing firm takes care of exporting activities and is in direct contract with the clients in the foreign target market. ...
  • Cooperative export.

Why exporting is low risk? ›

Reduced Vulnerability: When you export, then your company is no longer solely dependent on sales within the local market. Therefore, if economic conditions become unfavourable domestically, the impact on your operations might not be as huge if you have been able to expand your business to foreign markets.

What are the 3 types of risks? ›

Types of Risks

Widely, risks can be classified into three types: Business Risk, Non-Business Risk, and Financial Risk.

What happens when a country exports more than import? ›

A country that imports more goods and services than it exports in terms of value has a trade deficit or a negative trade balance. Conversely, a country that exports more goods and services than it imports has a trade surplus or a positive trade balance.

What is the main disadvantages of indirect exporting? ›

Too much dependence on middlemen: The main drawbacks of indirect exporting is too much dependence of the exporter producer on the middlemen operating in the channel. The development of the overseas market depends a lot on middlemen and not on the company that produces the goods that are exported.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of indirect method? ›

In other words, the main advantage of the indirect method is that it's easier, while the main disadvantage of the indirect method is that it lacks the transparency necessary to be entirely compliant with some of the rules and accepted procedures of international accounting.

What are 2 disadvantages of indirect distribution channels? ›

The main challenge with indirect distribution is the distance it puts between you and your customers. By adding an intermediary, you are also increasing the amount of time it takes for your product to reach the buyer. It's also harder to establish brand loyalty when you are not interacting directly with your customer.

What are the 7 barriers? ›

The Seven Barriers to Communication
  • Physical Barriers. ...
  • Perceptual Barriers. ...
  • Emotional Barriers. ...
  • Cultural Barriers. ...
  • Language Barriers. ...
  • Gender Barriers. ...
  • Interpersonal Barriers. ...
  • Break Through The Barriers.

What are the 5 common barriers? ›

Definition of Barriers

There are five key barriers that can occur within a company: language, cultural diversity, gender differences, status differences and physical separation.

What are the 10 barriers? ›

10 BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND PERSUASION
  • Physical and physiological barriers. ...
  • Emotional and cultural noise. ...
  • Language. ...
  • Nothing or little in common. ...
  • Lack of eye contact. ...
  • Information overload and lack of focus. ...
  • Not being prepared, lack of credibility. ...
  • Talking too much.
15 Apr 2016

How do exports impact a country? ›

Growing export sales provide revenues and profits for businesses which can then feed through to an increase in capital investment spending through the accelerator effect. Higher investment increases a country's productive capacity which then increases the potential for exports.

What are examples of exports? ›

Here are some examples of exports:
  • Coffee: Some of the top exporters of coffee are Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Honduras, India and Mexico. ...
  • Cars: One of Japan's top exports is cars and automobile parts because consumers trust in the quality, safety and dependability of Japanese-made cars.
11 May 2021

How do exports increase value? ›

How to improve export sales
  1. 1) Make exporting a part of your overall business strategy. ...
  2. 2) Carefully assess each of the markets you are considering entering into. ...
  3. 2) Start with easier markets. ...
  4. 3) Do your research. ...
  5. 4) Once you've done your desk research, visit the country. ...
  6. 5) Seek help. ...
  7. 6) Check your prices. ...
  8. 7) Timing.

What is exporting used for? ›

Exporting is when you produce a good or service in your home country and sell it to customers or other businesses in another country.

What are 5 exports? ›

United States Top 10 Exports
  • Mineral fuels including oil: US$239.8 billion (13.7% of total exports)
  • Machinery including computers: $209.3 billion (11.9%)
  • Electrical machinery, equipment: $185.4 billion (10.6%)
  • Vehicles: $122.2 billion (7%)
  • Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $91.7 billion (5.2%)
16 Nov 2022

What are the methods of exporting? ›

The most common methods of exporting are indirect selling and direct selling. In indirect selling, an export intermediary, such as an export management company (EMC) or an export trading company (ETC), assumes responsibility for finding overseas buyers, shipping products, and getting paid.

What are two 2 disadvantages of international trade? ›

Due to foreign competition and unrestricted imports, the upcoming industries in the country may collapse. (ii) Economic Dependence: ADVERTIsem*nTS: The underdeveloped countries have to depend upon the developed ones for their economic development.

What are advantages and disadvantages of foreign trade? ›

Foreign trade helps each country to specialize in the production of those goods, which best suits its environments. It thus leads to maximum use of its natural resources. It enables a country to obtain goods by importing which it cannot produce due to higher costs at home.

What is the disadvantage of foreign trade? ›

Colonialism: International trade leads to colonialism in the world, which means the domination of developed countries over dependent underdeveloped countries to fulfil their mean interests.

Why is exporting good for a country? ›

Exports facilitate international trade and stimulate domestic economic activity by creating employment, production, and revenues. Companies that export are typically exposed to a higher degree of financial risk.

What is the difference between import and export 5 points? ›

Exports describe selling products and solutions created in the home country to other markets. Imports are stemmed from the theoretical meaning of bringing in goods and services into the port of a country. An import in the obtaining country is an export to the sending nation.

What are negative exports? ›

A negative net export figure is a trade deficit for a given country. It means that the overall value of the country's imports is greater than the overall value of its exports. A country with a trade deficit spends more money in a foreign market than it makes.

Which of the following is an advantage of direct exports? ›

😃Advantages of direct exporting

Greater degree of control over all stages of the trading and transaction process. Eliminate intermediaries and own higher profit margins of your own.

What are 5 disadvantages of credit? ›

Disadvantages of Credit Cards
  • Minimum due trap. The biggest con of a credit card is the minimum due amount that is displayed at the top of a bill statement. ...
  • Hidden costs. ...
  • Easy to overuse. ...
  • High interest rate. ...
  • Credit card fraud.

Can export be negative? ›

A positive net export number indicates a trade surplus, while a negative number means a trade deficit.

Why exporting is less risky? ›

Reduced Vulnerability: When you export, then your company is no longer solely dependent on sales within the local market. Therefore, if economic conditions become unfavourable domestically, the impact on your operations might not be as huge if you have been able to expand your business to foreign markets.

What are the three types of exports? ›

While export channels may take different forms, three major types may be identified: indirect, direct and cooperative export marketing group: Indirect export: this is when the manufacturing company does not take direct care of the exporting activities.

What is a opposite of export? ›

What is the opposite of export?
importbuy
holdkeep
retainreceive
acceptremain

What are some negative effects of trade? ›

Trade barriers such as tariffs raise prices and reduce available quantities of goods and services for U.S. businesses and consumers, which results in lower income, reduced employment, and lower economic output.

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