Ch. 8: International Vendors
• The proliferation & importance of imported
products
• Gray markets
• Consumer attitudes about Americanmade
versus foreignmade goods
• Finding international vendors & intermediaries
• Shipping costs & getting goods through U.S.
Customs
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Why Buy Internationally?
• Lower costs
• U.S. shoppers no longer “swear loyalty” to
Americanmade brands when price is a factor
• Americanmade markets no longer exist for
some types of goods (notably electronics)
• International market offers wider range of
products to choose from in trendsetting
categories (clothing, wine, vehicles, etc.)
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Gray Market (Parallel Imports) Goods
PROS CONS
• Name brands
available at much
lower prices
• A way for U.S.
consumers to “fight
back” against high
prices
• High profitability for
deep discounters
• Ethical & legal
concerns about
trademark
infringement
• Legal questions of
products’ “material
difference”
• Damage to image,
reputation of name
branded products
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Buying Foreign Goods from Domestic Sources
• Import merchant
Wholesaler who usually stocks, sells one type or category
of product
• Resident sales agent
Represents multiple foreign manufacturers
May or may not have product on hand
• Import commission house
Represents multiple foreign manufacturers
Imports & stores goods
Paid on commission by manufacturers
• Buying office
International offices represent retailers, locate product
& negotiate with manufacturers
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Buying Foreign Goods from Foreign Sources
• Foreign export merchant
Wholesaler whose business is strictly exporting
• Export sales representative
Sells the manufacturer’s goods to retailers
Shows samples but maintains no inventory
• Export commission house
May represent multiple foreign manufacturers
Paid on commission by manufacturers
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Buying Foreign Goods from Foreign Sources
(continued)
• Foreign freightforwarder
Licensed by U.S. Maritime Commission to arrange
shipping, proper documentation on behalf of
exporters
• Commissionaire or purchasing agent
Buying office that helps international buyers do
business in nation where office is located
• Customs house broker
Represents retailer by doing paperwork, paying
duties, ensuring imported shipments meet U.S.
Customs laws & requirements
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese
Customs Decisions for Every Shipment
• Duty rates – General rates, special rates,
“Column 2” rates
• Types of duties – Ad valorem, specific,
compound
• Value (on which duty & rate are based) –
foreign value, export value, constructed value
• Formal entry – For shipments worth more
than $2,000 in value; requires a bond from
the importer
Copyright © 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights rese