Finding a business partner abroad is not easy. How do you identify the right partner in your target country?

How can you promote your company to foreign companies looking for new contacts, without embarking on expensive marketing campaigns?

How can you be sure of the reliability of the company identified through internet searches?

To select a potential target market, we need to check whether there is a demand for the product and whether it would be competitive on the export market. Import statistics show whether the target country already imports the type of product, where the imports come from and whether the supply on the market is already high.

There are trade fairs, of course, but there are also a wide range of B2B networking events. In addition, Enterprise Europe Network's new partnership opportunities platform helps you find a partner abroad for your company. Enterprise Europe Brussels supports SMEs in promoting their profiles and business opportunities on the platform, and in putting them in touch with foreign companies.

 Votre produit ?

Existe-t-il des restrictions sur votre marché d’exportation ?

Quelles sont les taxes locales pour mon produit ?

Quelles sont les exigences techniques et de sécurité, ainsi qu’en matière d’emballage et d’étiquetage ?

Mon entreprise peut-elle bénéficier d’un accord commercial préférentiel entre l’UE et le pays de destination ?

Après vous être enregistré comme exportateur auprès des douanes afin d’obtenir un numéro EORI, il faudra commencer par identifier le bon code douanier correspondant à votre produit. Chaque produit correspond à un code. C’est celui-ci qui va déterminer le tarif, taxes et autres exigences, en fonction du pays de provenance et du pays destination. Vous aurez avantage à cibler un pays bénéficiant d’un accord de libre-échange avec l’UE, parce que les tarifs seront réduits, ce qui vous donnent un avantage compétitif par rapport à des concurrents de pays non européens.

La plateforme ​Access2markets apporte une guidance en réponse à toutes ces questions. Les PME peuvent suivre des formations et faire appel à des conseils sur mesure gratuits pour les guider dans l’utilisation de la plateforme et faciliter leur accès aux marchés.

The Incoterm to be used must be agreed with your customer for exports, or your supplier for imports. Incoterms® define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers in terms of delivery, insurance and transport of goods under sales contracts, and determine who is responsible for customs formalities on export to the EU and import formalities in the country of destination.

Enterprise Europe Brussels offers SMEs in Brussels tailor-made advice on how to use the 2020 Incoterms.

The documents prepared for export are also used, at least in part, for import into the country of destination. Access2Markets provides a list of the documents required, depending on the product being exported, the country of origin and the country of destination. The export declaration provides the necessary information on the goods themselves and on the transport. It includes: the origin of the goods, the country of destination, the customs codes of the goods and the value of the goods.

You can lodge the customs declaration yourself or through a customs representative. A customs agency can act on your behalf.

If the product originates from the European Union, you can use this preferential origin to obtain a reduction in import tariffs for countries benefiting from a free trade agreement with the EU. The Access2Markets platform has the tool My Trade Assistant which allows you to determine the origin of your product through a list of questions. Calling in an expert is sometimes necessary for SMEs with little experience.

Please note that for non-preferential origin products, you may be required to present a certificate of origin. This can be obtained from BECI- Brussels Chamber of Commerce.

When your goods arrive in the destination country, local import requirements and procedures will apply to your exports. The documents required by the local authorities include commercial invoices, packing lists, import licences, proof of preferential origin (EUR.1, EUR-MED, declaration of origin or certificate of origin), provided that a preferential trade agreement is in force between the EU and the country of destination and that your products comply with the applicable rules of origin.

Use My Trade Assistant to define these requirements and be able to align them with your buyer. Additional advice can be given if required.