Imad Kassir

Every product/service has a market. Even then, one has to be on the lookout for overseas importer. Nevertheless, export control is to be imposed at times, but its scope is very limited. There are also a few basic requisites for selling overseas. Determination land planning and planning are the basic requirements. Overseas selling begins with a state of mind.

Any commodity and/or product including services produced, processed and manufactured in a country can be exported, as there is hardly anything in the world that is not internationally traded. There is a market abroad for all types of products and services as no nation can itself produce everything to satisfy its needs in the modern world even if one chooses to sacrifice the principle of comparative cost advantage. Every country is continuously on the lookout to locate overseas suppliers of one commodity or another, thereby, creating every-increasing scope for export of other countries.

To take advantage of the situation, all nations make every possible effort to sell their products and services abroad. After all, exports are a vehicle of growth and development. They help not only in the procurement of the latest machinery, equipment and technology but also the goods and services not available indigenously, Expansion of export earning is as crucial for financing development plans as the mobilization of domestic resources. It leads to national self-reliance and reduces dependence on external assistance, which, howsoever liberal, may not be available without strings.

The air waybill is the equivalent of the ocean bill of lading but for air transport. However, the air waybill cannot be negotiable; they may never be consigned “to order of shipper.” An air waybill is the document that controls the routing of the exporter’s cargo while it is in the hands of the air carrier or a consolidator.

An air waybill should include:

• The name and contact information for the exporter and the ultimate consignee.
• Carrier information.
• The airport of departure and routing.
• The description, weight and dimensions of the cargo.
• Freight charges.
• The relevant anti-diversion clause.

The ocean bill of lading serves as both a contract for carriage and a document of title for the cargo. The bill of lading identifies the parties on both ends of the shipment, as well as a description of the goods and routing instructions.

An ocean bill of lading should include:

• The name and contact information for the exporter, the ultimate consignee, forwarding agent and the notify parties.
• Vessel, booking and loading instructions for the international carriage of the goods.
• A description of the goods, including their weight and dimensions, the number and kinds of packages, any marks and numbers on those packages, and whether any of the goods are hazardous.
• Freight rates and charges.

Customs brokers are private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assist importers and exporters in meeting federal requirements governing imports and exports.

ECCNs (Export Control Classification Numbers) are five-character alpha-numeric designations (e.g., 1A001) published on the Commerce Control List (CCL) to identify dual-use items for export control purposes. Dual-use items are products that have a commercial use, but also have the potential to be used in military applications.

An ECCN categorizes items based on the nature of the product, i.e., type of commodity, software or technology and its respective technical parameters. ECCNs are administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).