Export

An international sales transaction where the buyer of the goods is always a foreigner.

Key related topics

Import Assets Stock exchange

The basic type of international commercial transactions is the purchase transaction, where one of the contracting parties is always a foreigner (foreign currency). The seller of the goods or services (i.e. exporter) from the point of view of the export (export), buyer (i.e. importer) in terms of import (import) is considered a transaction. 

The export transaction consists of well-defined stages. These are the preparation, the conclusion of the contract, and the performance of the contract. The parties must first find each other. They must bring their business terms to a common denominator. They must carefully record the conditions in the contract. And to close the deal, they must fulfill their contractual commitments. 

Although export traditionally refers to the international sale of goods, its concept cannot be identified with the export of goods. In a broader sense, the object of export can be work, that is what is active wage labor, and the processing of foreign-owned raw materials. It is possible to implement a project, usually within the framework of a main export company, and to resell foreign goods abroad, which is a re-export. The subject of exports is increasingly the provision of services, intellectual product, patent, possibly license - obsession know-how transaction. 

In overseas trade, the object of export can be an object of ownership over goods securities (Bill of Lading – B/L, occasionally warehouse receipt) also. A third-country trader mediating the goods can also add its name as an "exporter" to a clandestine re-export - this is transit transaction. The export can also be "special" due to the number of participants or the consideration of the goods. An example of the former is a commission transaction, for the latter, when the foreign customer pays with goods, barter, bay back and other exchanges. The deal-making technique and the location can also make the export special (commodity exchanges, auctions, competitive negotiations, public procurement). The deal-making philosophy can also result in specific exports, such as commodity exchange speculative deals and hedge deals.

It is worth knowing that the terms direct and indirect export do not refer to the type of transaction, but to the way the transaction is organized. Export is direct if the producer himself concludes an export contract. Indirectly, if you sell your product to an export dealer in your own country.

The conditions for launching a foreign trade transaction can be specified by individual states (possibly in foreign trade laws), and they can dictate what constitutes an export, who can export (activity license), and which transaction requires a license. Others use the tools of so-called administrative protectionism, creating unfriendly import regulations that are difficult for foreign exporters to meet. (All this should not be confused with animal and plant health and product safety regulations.)

Trade policy assets that hinder or make exports more difficult a WTO as a result of its operation, they were strongly repressed. The states that determine world trade have committed themselves to multilateral agreements for liberalization within the framework of the WTO. For goods, this is GATT. For services, GATS. For intellectual products subject to trade, TRIPS. In addition, many international agreements on bilateral and regional economic matters are concluded, which include tariff exemptions and preferential treatment customs duties create favorable market opportunities for their exporters. 

Last edited: August 26, 2022

Related topics




Recently viewed definitions

The purpose of our website is to provide information. All content has been compiled with the utmost care and is regularly checked. The page content is general, descriptive content, but there may be variations due to country-specific characteristics and legal regulations depending on the user / place of use.  The information on the webpage is not to be considered as business or legal advice for specific situations. The publisher shall not be liable for any legal consequences arising from the use of the information. If you want an official position, always contact the competent office if you need advice from the right expert.