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Exporting: the basics
Global markets are vital to Queensland businesses. Every year, overseas trade and investment helps generate jobs and billions of dollars for our state economy. In fact, 1 in 5 jobs—1 in 4 in the regions—is trade-related.
Growing your business through exporting:
- gives you access to a larger pool of customers
- spreads your risk
- reduces your dependence on the Australian market.
To find out if exporting is right for your business, you need to thoroughly research your options. It takes time and resources to develop export markets.
If you are ready to export, you need to research how foreign markets work and how your business can successfully trade with these environments.
A wide range of assistance, specialist advice and education programs are available to help you make the most of global markets.
This guide gives you information about exporting.
Support to help your business go global
Trade and Investment Queensland is the Queensland Government's global business agency. It can help your business go global in several ways, including:
- assistance when creating an export plan
- finessing of your export strategy and expansion
- targeted business matching
- expert advice
- organisation of high-level trade missions.
Expert advisers
A range of advisers are available who can work closely with your business to put you in contact with Queensland and Australian Government expertise. Operating in conjunction with Austrade under the Tradestart contract, expert advisers are located in Queensland´s major centres and regional areas.
Global business professionals
Trade and Investment Queensland has a team of global business professionals who can open doors for you in international markets and get you on the right track for exporting. Trade and Investment commissioners and representatives are located in priority global markets.
Learn more about Queensland's export markets, trade missions, and products and services to support your business on the Trade and Investment Queensland website.
Also consider...
- Read more about how Trade and Investment Queensland can help exporters.
Creating an export plan
Your export plan
Your export plan will help you define your export goals and the resources you need to meet them. It should answer the following questions:
- What products do I intend to export?
- What are my competitive strengths and weaknesses?
- What are my target markets?
- What marketing strategies will I use to reach these markets?
- What are the time frames involved?
- How much money do I need to finance export activity?
- What regulations are involved?
- What import duties, taxes and other costs are involved?
For help with your export plan, contact Trade and Investment Queensland. Your local export adviser can help you with your planning. You can also learn more about developing an export strategy.
An export plan should be part of your overall business plan.
Market research
This involves researching import duties, regulations, exchange rates, distribution channels, market size and growth, competition, demographics and local production.
Your research should include descriptions about types of buyers and how they negotiate, and cultural factors in business dealings. This information helps you understand how a market operates.
Trade and Investment Queensland provides Queensland businesses with exporting advice and can help you access information about your target market.
Read more about market research and get information on how to research potential export markets.
Customs, quarantine and sanctions
Customs
Laws and government policies control the export of goods from Australia to:
- prohibit the export of certain goods either absolutely or conditionally
- adequately record Australia's international trade.
Visit the Australian Border Force for more information.
Quarantine
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry regulates the export of food, live animals, animal products, fish, aquatic products, plants and grains.
Find out about the quarantine controls that apply to your exports by searching the Australian Government's Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) database for:
If you intend to export meat, dairy, fish, horticulture, grain, wool, skin or hide products, you need to register as an exporter with the Export Documentation (EXDOC) system.
Sanctions
Find out whether your export activity complies with government sanctions and regulations.
Export support
Many support services are available to help you grow your export business.
Trade and Investment Queensland
Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) is the Queensland Government's dedicated global business agency, helping Queensland exporters take their products to world markets and promoting Queensland as the perfect place for investment.
With representation in 16 countries, across 21 locations, with 12 Trade and Investment Commissioners covering 7 regions around the world, TIQ has the global connections to help you grow.
Take your business further, faster with TIQ's expertise, analysis, insights and global network.
Whether you're new to exporting or want to increase your sales overseas, TIQ can support your international expansion.
The team can help you decide which markets to target and identify the best opportunities to suit your product or service. Local market experts can guide you through an entry strategy, potential barriers and how to overcome them.
You'll have access to experienced local advisors across regional Queensland, sector experts, and a global team on the ground in key overseas markets. TIQ's global teams work together to give you extraordinary insights and support to help you succeed.
With several funding initiatives to suit your current business position, TIQ opens your business doorway to the world.
Visit TIQs website to discover the many ways they can help support your international growth journey, including market insights, trade missions , and a number of grants and workshops.
Contact us
Complete our online enquiry form to connect with the best TIQ team.
Also consider...
- Learn more about exporting.
- Use our market research kit to find key economic, demographic and statistical information about your industry.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021