WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expanding into foreign markets just became easier with today’s launch of Export Now (www.exportnow.com), which provides a one-stop, e-commerce solution to help businesses of any size efficiently, and inexpensively export to China. Export Now launched its solution today at an event in Washington, D.C., that featured Francisco J. Sánchez, Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which calls for a doubling of the nation's exports to support creating two million jobs in the next five years, was launched to encourage small businesses to grow through exporting. And while the idea of entering foreign markets can seem daunting, the launch of Export Now eliminates the biggest challenges of doing business abroad by affordably bridging the cultural and financial gaps of complex foreign markets, such as China.
Export Now allows U.S. companies of any size to grow revenues and compete in China by leveraging the power of e-commerce and the efficiencies of group shipping and fulfillment operations. It tackles challenges such as language, currency, shipping, duties, tariffs and compliance with local regulations so that U.S.-based businesses can easily sell their goods abroad.
“Exporting presents a growth opportunity during these stagnant economic times. And, while small and midsize businesses understand the potential for international markets and customers to increase revenue, many are too overwhelmed by budget and management constraints to explore exporting options,” said Frank Lavin, founder and global CEO of Export Now. “We created Export Now to offer these businesses a chance to grow without worrying about the challenges that exporting can present. Export Now takes care of language, currency, shipping, duties, tariffs and compliance with local regulations and allows U.S.-based businesses to grow by tapping into a market that is yearning for American products.”
Export Now has signed up several customers in advance of its launch, including:
- Feelgoodz Flip Flops – comfortable natural rubber flip flops that are 100% recyclable and biodegradable
- Lion Brand Yarn – a family-owned and operated yarn business and a beloved American brand since 1878
- Wizard Wall – a cling film that serves as an instant repositionable white board
- Cequent Washdrops – an effective and environmentally-friendly way to wash a vehicle that doesn’t require a rinse or a hose
For U.S. companies, Export Now has created a five-step e-commerce solution that makes exporting as simple as a domestic sale. Here’s how:
1. Companies pay a minimal startup fee, which grants access to Export Now’s exporter portal and covers the first trans-ocean shipment.
2. Exporters fill out a basic company profile online, including payment information to transfer revenues from their Chinese sales back to the companies.
3. Exporters develop a product page template that Export Now will use to translate and list products on Export Now’s exclusive Tmall.com store.
4. Exporters create shipments, choosing volume by the pallet or container, and ship to Export Now’s west coast distribution portal.
5. Export Now ships the products to China and lists them in its exclusive Tmall.com superstore. Export Now fulfills orders, collects payment and remits the money to the exporters.
Chinese customers shop products through Export Now’s exclusive Tmall.com store while also simultaneously listing them on Taobao.com, the largest B2C platform in the world. Last year more than 370 million people used Taobao.com, spending over $60 billion on China’s largest, fastest-growing e-commerce marketplace. Export Now’s exclusive store within Tmall showcases authentic American products, widely sought by Chinese consumers. Products are listed when they arrive in China, so the Chinese customers receive the American goods without the hassle, cost or wait-time of other import operations.
About Export Now
Founded by Frank Lavin, former U.S. Ambassador and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Export Now has the expertise to help U.S. companies navigate the challenges of exporting to China. Export Now removes all the barriers to exporting—language, regulations, logistics, distribution. All customers have to do is click and ship. The company’s tech-enabled solution combines end-to-end logistics, customs management and the translation needed to market goods to Chinese consumers.
Export Now distributes these products through an exclusive store on Tmall.com, Taobao's home for online retail. Export Now’s exclusive store is a special section on Tmall specifically designed to highlight authentic American products. For more information or to sign up, visit www.exportnow.com.
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