{slider How to adapt your product for export}

In many cases, the choice to export a product is accompanied by necessary modifications to the product itself. The methods and techniques for checking whether a product is suitable for export cover a very wide range of procedures, from the very basic, fast and inexpensive ones to those that require complex, very expensive and time-consuming processes.

It is up to the exporters themselves, in cooperation with their respective representative or head of product distribution, to select the size, technique and duration of the research that must be carried out in each case.

A program including research can be applied, which can involve:

1. Studying and recording competitive products

1. Technical aspects: raw materials, product form, variety, type, sizes, marks, colours, modifications, ameliorations, durability.
2. Quality assessment: endurance, ability, performance, appearance, suitability and ease to handle.
3. Legal patentability: design (product form, patent rights, approvals).

2. Packaging / Presentation

1. Technical aspects: design, shape, construction materials, endurance to weather conditions, easy and stable handling during loading/unloading, distribution, storage and presentation, adaptation to official rules and legal regulations.
2. Attractiveness: size, shape, suitable colour, quality stamp and label design (sign).
3. Identity info: shape, colour, label, trademark.
4. Information: product description, content composition, instructions of use.
5. Service provision: type of services supplied by competitive products - delivery, installation, preparation, main parts and accessories, training in use, repairs, contributory goods.

3. Competitive Prices

1. Consumer Prices: main pricelist – common sales prices – taxes (added value, community or municipal) – price discounts (due to quantity or cash payment) – payment method (cash, credit, installments) – discounts due to damaged goods – product variety, market sectors and sale type (branches and shops).
2. Commercial prices: different prices – discounts – payment terms – special discounts for wholesale and retail importers, due to products, sectors, order size, type of traders.

4. Product Acceptance

The exporters must present their product to potential importers and discuss with them the conditions during selling and distributing similar products. In this way, they will be able to proceed to additions or changes in their product, wherever necessary. The next step must be the product presentation to a group of wholesale and retail traders, so as to collect their opinion and proceed to decision-making.

They can also ask the consumers for information directly. At the same time, they will have to take into account:

1. The size and dimensions that the product must have.
2. The type of outer case that should be used for its packaging.
3. The method that should be used for its packaging, so that it is easy to handle in the storeroom.
4. How much the packaging enables easy freezing, if necessary.
5. The issue of selling price and how easy it is to provide similar offers.