Exporting for Beginners

Is Your Business Ready to Export?

Not every business is prepared to take on international markets. Exporting demands more than a good product and enthusiasm. You need adequate production capacity, solid finances, capable staff, and a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape. Before you commit resources to selling overseas, assess whether your business has the fundamentals in place. This checklist covers six critical areas that determine export readiness and helps you identify gaps that need attention before you enter foreign markets.

Before you start selling overseas, consider these key areas to check if your business is export ready.

Production

  • Can you scale up manufacturing to meet overseas demand? This might mean adding equipment or shifts.

Financial

  • Maintain a sound financial position.
  • Ensure access to financing through commercial loans and government support.
  • Be familiar with payment methods used in international trade.

Human Capital

  • Have enough staff who can be trained on export activities, including market requirements, customs and shipping procedures.
  • Build a workforce with flexible skills and, where useful, language capabilities.

Marketing

  • Prepare marketing materials suitable for export markets.
  • Secure distribution channels in the target country.
  • Develop an export marketing strategy

Export Requirements & Compliance

  • Meet mandatory international standards, accreditations and certifications.
  • Follow the export and import rules of both Malaysia and the buyer’s country, including permits, licences and quotas.
  • Respect the packaging and labelling rules required by the importer.

Legal

  • Understand and comply with applicable international laws.
  • Know how Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) may affect your trading terms.
  • Be aware of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues.
  • Draft clear international sales contracts and understand arbitration and dispute resolution options.

For further practical guidance, see MATRADE’s Beginner’s Guide to Exporting.

https://www.matrade.gov.my/en/export-to-the-world/getting-started-page/beginner-s-guide-to-exporting