The Bao Lyon Group, LLCImports & Exports

Expanding into international markets is a significant undertaking that requires thorough preparation beyond the desire to import or export. Successful ventures share common characteristics, including a committed management team, adequate production capacity, and robust financial capacity.

Market research is a vital initial step, especially with over 190 potential countries to consider. This research helps pinpoint target markets, understand competitors, and analyze product trends. Like any successful business, your international endeavors demand a comprehensive plan.

This plan should encompass legal requirements, cost analysis, and an overall strategy for global engagement. The Bao Lyon Group, LLC is equipped to guide your enterprise through each phase of this journey, ensuring you are well-prepared for international trade.

Contact us for tailored recommendations and expert advice.

Import and Export planning

The Department of International Affairs offers comprehensive planning and strategic guidance for your international expansion. Our expertise covers the full scope of your project:

Export Readiness Assessment
Export Plan Development
Target Market Selection and Research
International Marketing Strategy Creation
Market Entry and Delivery Logistics
Financial Planning for Global Trade
Supplier and Buyer Sourcing
International Trade Legal Guidance (regulations, risks, and benefits)

Screening Potential Markets

We provide comprehensive market intelligence to identify the best opportunities for your products. Our process includes:

Analyzing import and export data to show where similar products are being traded.
Identifying potential markets by evaluating growth and competition across various countries, including high-growth secondary markets.
Targeting the most promising markets by focusing on a select number of countries for deeper research.

Assessing Your Target Markets

Ready to go global? Our market research services are designed to help you pinpoint your best opportunities and avoid common pitfalls. We will:

Examine product and industry trends, providing you with the intelligence needed to stay ahead of the curve.
Scout your competition, so you know exactly who you're up against, both at home and abroad.
Deep-dive into market-specific factors, like linguistic or cultural considerations, to ensure your product resonates with local customers.
Flag potential barriers, such as export controls or import duties, helping you navigate complex regulations.
Refine your market targets, guiding you to focus on the most promising markets for your initial launch and setting you up for scalable growth.

Finding Qualified Buyers

The Bao Lyon Group provides a proven strategy for securing buyers in your target markets. Our approach includes:

Customized Digital Prospecting: We conduct thorough online research and provide a report of relevant websites, search engines, and business directories.
Trade Show Strategy: We identify the most valuable trade shows for your industry, enabling you to make meaningful connections.
Industry Association Outreach: We tap into industry associations to find qualified member companies who are active in your market.
Strategic Government Engagement: We utilize government trade resources and networks to introduce you to established buyers and sellers.

Taking Care of Logistics

The sale is done—now it's time to deliver. But getting products across international borders can be tricky.

That's where we come in. We'll connect you with a network of reliable freight forwarders who handle all the shipping details, from navigating customs to managing transportation.

This partnership ensures your product gets to your international customer safely and on time, without you having to become a logistics expert. Get in touch with us for a custom-tailored shipping strategy

Export documentation: It's All in the Details

If you’re exporting for the first time, we also recommend that you work closely with your freight forwarder to make sure your documentation is all in order.

The foreign country to which you are exporting or buying from, might require you to complete documentation to comply with import/export regulations.

The Bao Lyon Group, LLC can prepare you to be ready for all the legal aspects of the process.

Pricing it Right

We guide you through the process of setting the right price for your product in international markets by evaluating these common strategies:

Cost Analysis: We perform a comprehensive breakdown of all production and export costs, from market research fees and production to freight insurance, import duties, and all associated markups. This ensures you can confidently assess the financial viability of exporting.
Demand-Driven Pricing: By analyzing your target market, we help you determine the optimal price point based on what consumers are willing to pay. If needed, we can help identify ways to modify your product to meet market cost expectations.
Competitive Pricing Strategy: We provide insights into competitor pricing, allowing you to position your product effectively in a crowded market and compete successfully.

Payment Terms

Before finalizing a sale, it is essential to define clear terms with your buyer, outlining the obligations, risks, and costs for both parties. Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are the globally recognized standard for achieving this.

These rules prevent costly misunderstandings and ensure a smoother transaction. For a complete description and to ensure you are using the latest version, refer to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) website.

Methods of Payment

Securing timely and full payment from international buyers requires carefully assessing your risk tolerance and the buyer's credibility. The most common payment methods, ordered from least to most risk for the exporter, are:

Cash in Advance: The most secure method for the exporter. Your company receives full payment via wire transfer, credit card, or other means before the product is shipped.
Letters of Credit (LC's): A widely used compromise that offers security to both parties by relying on banks to guarantee payment. The LC ensures that payment is made to you once shipping documents are verified and all terms are met. Contact your business bank for more details on LCs.
Open Account: This method, where goods are shipped and payment is collected at a later date (e.g., Net 30/60/90), carries the highest risk for the exporter. It is only recommended for well-established, highly vetted buyers with proven creditworthiness.

Letters Rogatory

Letters rogatory, also known as letters of request, are formal requests from a court in one country to a court in another country seeking judicial assistance. The most common forms of assistance sought through letters rogatory are:

Service of process: This involves the official notification of legal documents to individuals or entities in the foreign country.
Taking of evidence: This refers to gathering testimony or documents from witnesses located in the foreign country for use in legal proceedings in the requesting country.

In cases where direct transmission between courts is not possible, letters rogatory may require the involvement of diplomatic or consular channels for transmittal.
This method is generally used when there are no treaties or agreements between the two countries to facilitate the requested judicial assistance. It is important to note that executing these requests can be a lengthy process due to the involvement of diplomatic channels and the need to follow the judicial procedures of the requested country.

Service by Agent

A process server is a neutral, third-party professional tasked with delivering legal documents to defendants, witnesses, or other parties named in a legal action. This delivery, or "service of process," is a crucial component of due process, as it formally notifies individuals of legal proceedings and their obligation to respond.

Role and function

Deliver legal documents: Process servers deliver a range of documents, including summonses, complaints, subpoenas, writs, and eviction notices.
Verify proper service: They must ensure that documents are served in accordance with the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Different states and countries have distinct rules governing who can be served, and when and where delivery can occur.
Provide proof of service: After successful delivery, the process server completes an affidavit of service, which is filed with the court as evidence that the documents were served correctly.

Domestic and international service
Process-serving can be complex, especially when legal matters cross borders.

Domestic service: The server must comply with the specific rules and regulations of the local jurisdiction.
International service: This requires navigating treaties like the Hague Service Convention or using Letters Rogatory, depending on the country. It often involves different government channels and translation requirements.

Translation & Authentication Services

Leveraging our global network of service providers, we offer high-quality document translation services in over 75 languages. For documents requiring legal recognition, our partners are qualified to handle all authentication requirements, ensuring your translated documents are accurate and legally compliant.