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Basics of Exporting - Business Travel Abroad By visiting foreign countries, you can find new customers while developing and enhancing relationships with existing distribution channel partners. Like domestic business, face-to-face meetings with a customer or business partner are the best form of business contact. As you plan your trip, be aware of the various business customs, travel conditions, entrance requirements, cultural environments, and services for American citizens in the country you are visiting. American Citizen Services American Citizen Services The U.S. belongs to the ATA Carnet System. This system allows U.S. commercial and professional travelers to take commercial samples, tools of the trade, advertising material, cinematography, audio-visual, medical, scientific, or other professional equipment into member countries for temporary periods of time without paying customs duties and taxes or posting a bond at the border. Of note: a Carnet can cover items transported as part of a trade show as long as these items will be brought back to the U.S. at the conclusion of the show. Generally, the Carnet covers all merchandise with the exception of consumable goods, disposable items, and postal traffic. Carnets are typically valid for 12 months. When using the Carnet, the exporter reduces costs, simplifies customs procedures, and finds a simpler reentry process for returning goods to the United States. For use of the Carnet, companies should expect to pay a required fee based on the value of the goods and put up a security deposit equaling 40 percent of the shipment value. To obtain a Carnet, contact the Corporation for International Business, Harris Bank Bldg., 325 N. Hough St. 2nd Fl., Barrington, IL 60010, Phone: 800-282-2900 Fax: 847-381-3857, or visit www.atacarnet.com. A well-planned itinerary enables a traveler to make the best possible use of time abroad. Before you start your trip, obtain the names of possible contacts, arrange as many appointments as possible, and check transportation schedules. In addition, confirm meetings and other travel arrangements before leaving the U.S.Keep your schedule flexible enough to allow for both unexpected problems (such as transportation delays) and unexpected opportunities. For example, accepting an unscheduled luncheon invitation from a prospective client should not mean missing the next appointment. Check with foreign consulates about the normal workdays, including foreign holidays, and business hours in the countries to be visited. For instance, in many Middle Eastern countries the workweek typically runs from Saturday to Thursday. In many Latin American countries, lengthy lunch hours may be customary. Business language is generally more technical than conversational speech and misunderstandings can be costly. Before leaving the U.S., you should know whether the individuals with whom you are planning to meet are comfortable speaking English. If not, arrange to have professional interpreters at your meetings. Also, you should carry business cards printed in English and in the language of the country visited, since exchanging business cards when first meeting someone is considered a basic part of proper business etiquette in some countries. Business executives traveling abroad should learn about the history, culture, and customs of the countries to be visited. Business manners and methods, religious customs, dietary practices, humor and acceptable dress all vary greatly from country to country. Although you need not completely adopt business procedures of the countries you visit, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and adoption should be guiding principles when traveling abroad and conducting international business.Entrance Requirements and Visas Be aware that the U.S. and foreign governments may restrict your travel from one country to another. For example, a passport containing an Israeli visa may prevent visits to certain other countries in the Middle East. If you land in Brazil without a valid visa, you will be refused entrance to the country. You should obtain the necessary travel documents two or three months before departure, especially if visas are required. A travel agent can help make these arrangements. All travel outside the U.S. requires each traveling family member to possess a valid passport for the entire duration of the trip. You can obtain a passport by applying in person through certain local post offices, public libraries and government offices. Information can be obtained at your local post office or at the U.S. Department of State website, www.state.gov. Requirements for certain vaccinations differ from country to country. A travel agent, airline, or doctor can advise you on the various requirements. Consider seasonal weather conditions, differences in electrical currents (plug adapters may be required to use electrical appliances), use of credit cards and travelers checks, currency exchange rates, tipping standards (who is tipped and how much), U.S. customs regulations, and various health care issues when planning your trip. For instance, foreign customs regulations vary widely from place to place, and you should learn in advance those that apply to each country visited. Discuss health care issues, such as what to eat and what non-required vaccinations doctors recommend. Furthermore, you must make allowances for cigarettes, liquor, currency and certain other items because customs officials may impound them at national borders. Sources of Cultural Information
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