Export Compliance probably has sneaked up on most exporters, and many exporters and potential exporters we talk to don't know what it is, what it means or why it's important. Yes, this is big and messy but also very necessary since 9/11, not only to prevent terrorist activities but also to keep exporters out of trouble.

Simplified bottom line is that exporters must know and carefully document:

What they are selling? (does it require an export license?)

Where they are shipping? (is the buyer or end user location in a prohibited or restricted country?)

To Whom are they shipping? (is the buyer or the end user on a US government Denied Parties List?)

What is the end users intended use for the product? (Probably don't know for sure must do due diligence to confirm use is legitimate).

Okay, many of you use commercial carriers and they do all of the shipping documents as a service, but you must know that they do that to protect themselves and not you. They do keep the archive records as long as they legally need to, but that doesn't necessarily protect you, the exporter, if there is ever a problem, because the shipper doesn't necessarily give you a complete copy of their compliance due diligence AND YOU need to keep a copy for 5 years.

New to Exporting probably means you need to start exporting with personal savings and investments

There really are a number of neat government programs to help you export, but unfortunately most of them require you to have at least one year of exporting experience, so in the beginning you may need to consider starting out by using personal savings and or investments. Or if your business already exists and you have established cash flow you may be able to redirect some the cash flow to invest in your new export program.

Naturally you might be able to get someone to invest in your export program, but in the beginning it may only be friends and family because experienced investors are not overly interested in an unproven business.

And this for SBA International Trade or Export loans:

• Export Express

  Provide exporters and lenders with a streamlined method of obtaining financing for loans and lines of credit up to $500,000. Lenders use their own credit decision process and loan documentation; exporters get access to their funds faster. SBA provides an expedited eligibility review with a response in less than 24 hours.

• Export Working Capital

  Offers loans targeted at businesses that are able to generate export sales but need additional working capital to support these opportunities.

• International Trade Loans

  Gives term loans that are designed for businesses that plan to start/continue exporting or those that that have been adversely affected by competition from imports. The proceeds of the loan must enable the borrower to be in a better position to compete.

So you did all that other stuff and now you are ready to start exporting, but what you really need to do is find some working funds to actually pay for everything until the money starts rolling in -- but how?

There are a number of options and strategies for getting International Trade financed and we will address them in this section:

Personal loans or investments

Investors

Bank loans

SBA loans

OPIC

Export-Import Bank financing (EX-IM Bank)

OPIC is NOT what you thought - (that is OPEC for Oil)

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) does, among other things, Investment Project Financing: OPIC enables U.S. businesses to acquire financing for large-scale projects that require large amounts of capital, such as infrastructure, telecommunications, power, water, housing, airports, hotels, high-tech, financial services, and natural resource extraction industries.