How to Export Corn

Transportation for your corn will be a primary concern.

To export corn successfully you need product, reliable transportation and at least one buyer. You will handle quite a bit of paperwork before you export. Throughout your corn exporting endeavors you must maintain excellent records, good business licenses, bills of lading, tariff documents and inspection paperwork. You (or your staff) will deal with several domestic government agencies, and foreign governments. Be sure all of your paperwork is in place before soliciting foreign corn buyers.

Instructions

1. Get your business up to code. Familiarize yourself with regulations created by US government agencies that control exports. These include Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Department of Commerce. Consider your corn packaging. Is it boxed, bagged, canned or processed in any way? Make sure your packaging meets U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. Every country you export to will have its own trade requirements. Ultimately, you will learn the requirements of your client nations, once you get a few orders.

2. Contact the International Trade Administration for an Export Trade Certificate of Review. This program can provide you with federal antitrust protection and other benefits if you collaborate with other corn exporters or related businesses. By coordinating with other exporters via this program, the International Trade Administration (ITA) says you will reduce shipping costs, boost your negotiating power, fill larger corn orders and develop long-term export customers. The ITA also suggests that exporters take part in The Export Yellow Pages. According to the ITA this is an efficient way to advertise your corn and find related businesses via the Internet. The Export Yellow Pages is the official U.S. Department of Commerce directory, and membership is free for US firms.

3. 

   Contact several freight companies.

   Negotiate transportation for your corn. While you may not be able to get exact prices until you have orders ready to go, you can get some freight quotes and start building relationship with transportation companies now. Reach out to as many freight companies as you can in the beginning. Look for freight companies in The Export Yellow Pages, your local phone book, and via the Internet. Spend time talking to the customer service reps at the freight companies to learn about their export policies, rates, packaging requirements and warehouse locations. Pay close attention to details during this phase, because little details here can cost you a lot of money later. For example, a firm may seem to have low rates for international shipping, but you may be required to truck the corn an extra thousand miles and load it at your own expense.

4. Solicit corn orders. Your membership in the Export Yellow Pages can help with this, but you must also take an active role in finding new clients. Consider joining online directories like Alibaba and Corn.Importers.com. Enlist your sales staff to cold call on potential foreign corn buyers.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on the U.S. Department of Commerce website. Import/export news, regulation changes and trade ideas are posted here regularly.

References

• Fedex: Export Advisory Questions
• USDA Commodity Requirements: CO4 Corn Oil For Use in Export Programs
• International Trade Administration: The Export Trade Certificate of Review

Resources

• United States Department of Commerce
• International Trade Administration
• Corn Import Export Directory