Fernando Jimenez

After a potential buyer expresses interest in purchasing your product and outlines the terms of their interest, they may ask for a formal quote. A proforma invoice lists the products to be purchased and acts as a quote. If an order results, the commercial invoice you generate will closely resemble the proforma invoice with the included costs being consistent across both documents. A typical proforma invoice includes: A price for your products; a description of the goods including the correct six-digit Harmonized System (HS) or Schedule B number, which the buyer will use to determine any duties and taxes; the delivery terms usually expressed as one of the Incoterms 2010 terms; payment terms; delivery details, including where the goods will originate and where they will be delivered; the expiration date.

India has signed Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN countries in 2010 to enhance trade between India and ASEAN. Malaysia main export commodities to India are:
mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes; meat and edible meat offal; iron and steel; aluminium and articles thereof; machinery, mechanical appliances, nuclear reactors, boilers; parts thereof; copper and articles thereof; organic chemicals; ships, boats and floating structures; electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers; parts and accessories of such articles: zinc and articles thereof.

Although a host of options exists, there are four common types:
Manufacturer's representative (selling the product line of one foreign company, usually on a commissioned basis): This is great when the company has an extensive product line and enough funds to help promote sales through advertising, after-sales servicing, etc.
Wholesaler or distributor (purchasing the goods yourself for resale): You set the profit margins, but you may get stuck with unsold inventory.
Value-added reseller (purchasing goods from abroad for the purpose of "adding value" by modifying the product to produce a new product for sale). This works best with easily modified items, such as assembling computer hardware and software into a ready-to-use unit.
Retailer (selling goods directly to end-users): This is a good option for specialty items with a local customer base, or for items not requiring service or support.

Always count, weigh, or otherwise verify the quantity of goods you receive when you import.
Pack goods uniformly. If the contents and values differ from package to package, the possibility of delay and confusion increases. Whenever possible, try to have packages contain goods of one kind only.
Load cargo effectively. When shipments are consolidated it saves you time and money. And simple things, if not done properly, can cause unnecessary delays. For example, placing cargo on pallets allows for easy movement and will speed up examinations.
Establish a detailed agreement with the company you are buying from. Make sure your agreement covers transportation costs, required packaging, delivery time and storage, and insurance.
Consider using a local agent. Perhaps the best way to ensure success is to use a local agent in the country. It will increase your chances of getting a better deal. A local agent knows the domestic culture and business practices and can also help find out about suppliers.

As an exporter, finding buyers for your product can be the most difficult challenge in your business, particularly when you're just getting started or are selling in a new market. Selling in another country is never easy. You need to adapt to cultural norms, language, and travel barriers in order to succeed. But new technology makes the world smaller and makes finding buyers overseas much easier than it was in the past. Many foreign countries have state-sponsored or state-controlled companies—called trading companies—which import products, usually in bulk orders. Having a foreign representative on your side can help you find exactly who you need to be in contact with. Some foreign agencies are proactive and have buying agents who actively looking for suppliers, they may become a great chance for you to find buyers.