Includes bibliographical references and index.

Jumping into the Water: Simple Scenarios -- Importing the Wool Jackets -- Exporting the Cable TV Equipment -- The "World Clock" -- Rolls of Paper -- Is This Business for You? -- Contacts with Buyers (or the Ability to Make Them) -- Business Know-How and Experience -- Money (at Least a Little) -- Attention to Detail -- Knowledge of International Economics and Politics -- Familiarity with Foreign Language and Culture -- Persistence, Tempered with Judgment -- Twenty Essential Questions -- Some Financial Examples -- Setting up Your Business -- Form of Organization -- Your Trade Name and Logo -- Opening a Bank Account -- Establishing Your Office -- Setting up Your Office -- Stationery and Printing Needs -- Accounting and Taxation -- Obtaining Financing -- Beginning with a Buyer -- Why Someone Would Buy from You -- Finding Buyers as an Importer -- Finding Buyers as an Exporter -- Choosing Products and Suppliers -- Finding Ideas for Products to Import -- Finding Foreign Suppliers -- Selecting Foreign Suppliers -- Finding Ideas for Products to Export -- Lining up Suppliers -- The Formal Supply Agreement -- Protecting Your Interest -- Marketing in the United States and Abroad -- So, What Is Marketing? -- Marketing Imports -- Marketing Exports -- Selling as an Agent -- Working with Foreign Agents -- Money Matters -- Credit Decisions on Suppliers and Customers -- Methods of Payment in International Trade -- Export Credit and Credit Insurance -- Foreign Currency Transactions -- Countertrade -- Packing, Shipping, and Insurance -- Packing for International Shipment -- International Transportation -- Shipping Terms -- Marine Insurance -- Brokers and Forwarders -- Oh, Those Lovely Documents -- Commercial Documents -- Banking Documents -- Transportation and Insurance Documents -- Government Formalities Documents -- A Few More Thoughts on Documents -- Regulation of Foreign Trade -- U.S. Customs Service -- Getting Deeper into Customs -- Other Federal Regulations -- State and Local Regulations -- Regulation of Exports -- NAFTA, GATT, and Other Trade Pacts -- The GATT and the WTO -- NAFTA and the FTAA -- Other Trade Agreements -- Setting up Your Business -- Beginning with a Buyer, Choosing Products and Suppliers, and Marketing in the United States and Abroad -- Money Matters; Packing, Shipping, and Insurance; Oh, Those Lovely Documents; and Regulation of Foreign Trade -- NAFTA, GATT, and Other Trade Pacts -- Sample Market Study Outline -- Guidelines for Business Planning -- Possible Sources of Financing for Your Business -- U.S. Export Assistance Center Directory -- Product-Specific Customs Information.