Export

We are happy to support if you start or are exporting

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Your plans to move into the international market are gradually taking shape and you want to start exporting. What do you need to consider to build a strong position in the international market? Rabobank has all the export know-how you need, and will be happy to share this with you. Make an appointment with your account manager and work out the best export strategy for your company.

Legislation and regulations

Every country has its own laws and regulations. If you are planning to export within the European Union, you will be dealing with EU legislation. In addition, the country you want to export to will also have its own laws and tax regulations. Both inside and outside the EU, you will come across all kinds of different laws and regulations. You need to understand the legislation in the countries you want to do business in so that you are not faced with unpleasant surprises.

Risk management when exporting

What are the risks for your company if you start exporting? And how can you manage them? Find out more below. Your account manager will of course be pleased to advise you.

Debtors

As an exporter, there is always a chance that your customers will not pay, or will not pay on time. Moreover, a large special order involves additional risks because you have no guarantee that your product will ultimately be purchased. Unfortunately, advance payment is not always possible, but there are other options that offer you more security as an exporter. These include payment guarantees, debt insurance or Letters of Credit.

Transport

If an order of goods is damaged en route or is delivered late the consequences can be very problematic. You should therefore use standard international delivery conditions (Incoterms) from the International Chamber of Commerce, which establish the responsibilities of the buyer and the seller. You can then evaluate your transport risk and how you want to insure this.

Find out more on the website of the International Chamber of Commerce, Iccwbo.org

Currency

When trading outside the EU, you may have to deal with foreign currency. The exchange rates between the euro and foreign currencies are constantly changing throughout the day. Create more security for your company and manage currency risks. A variety of currency risk products is available to help you do this. For exporters, a currency forward transaction for example can offer protection against future exchange rate movements by setting the exchange rate now for amounts in foreign currency that have not yet been received.

Rabo Corporate Connect

If you would like to stay up-to-date on the latest exchange rate developments or read about the expectations of Rabobank economists in this area, go to Rabo Corporate Connect, the transaction portal for large corporations.

Find out more at Rabobank.com

Product liability

To what extent are you liable for the products you supply? Other countries often have their own approach to product liability and the size of potential claims. Your account manager is in contact with our International Desks, which have specialist knowledge about the country you are doing business with. Together they can provide you with suitable advice on how to arrange proper cover for the risks inherent in your company situation.

Countries and banks risk

It is a good idea to find out about the political and economic stability of the country you are going to export to. The lead time for international trade transactions is often longer than for domestic transactions. A country’s situation may change in the meantime, due to natural disaster, war or economic crisis, for instance, as a result of which your customer may no longer be able to pay you because no payments can be made.

You should also assess the economic situation of the banks involved in your trade transactions, because your customer may for example have money in an account at a bank which is failing, or because a foreign bank agrees a commitment with you, such as a payment guarantee, which it may not be able to fulfil.

Finance

If you receive a substantial export order, you may need extra credit to purchase or produce products. Ask your account manager about the possibilities. If you want to offer your customer(s) supplier credit without having to wait for a long time for your money, debtor finance or export finance can be a good solution.

Debtor financing

Finance

extra liquidity available immediately

lower outstanding debtor balance

improved cash flow

Long-term receivables from customers affect your need for working capital. Debtor finance means you no longer have to wait for payments, because the entire amount due from your customers is made available to you as pre-finance. This makes it simple to offer supplier credit and still optimise your working capital management.

You are eligible for debtor finance if:

your company is established in the Netherlands

your revenue is at least € 1.500.000

your company has a B2B focus

your company is subject to Dutch law

If you would like to find out whether debtor finance is suitable for you, your account manager can advise you.

Export finance

You export valuable capital goods and your customer wants to spread the payment over a number of years. If you are not willing or able to wait so long for payment, it is possible that the deal will fall through. In these cases you can use export finance. Your customer will receive finance in order to pay the costs of the import order and you as well.

International payments

When you start exporting, you want to receive your payments in the right account and at times that are most suitable for you. We can help you organise your payment transactions so that they connect optimally with your administrative organisation and we can advise you on suitable payment conditions and solutions to give you more control over your incoming money flows.

Euro payments and World payments

These payment options allow you to transfer money quickly and safely inside and outside Europe.

Read more about Euro payments and World payments

Euro collection [Euro incasso]

You can also collect your European payments using a euro collection contract. This gives you more influence over when you receive your payments.

Documentary payment products

If you opt for a documentary payment product, you have the following options.

Documentary Collection: you only have to pay if documents from your supplier demonstrate that delivery has taken place. You receive these documents from the bank for payment or acceptance.

Letter of Credit: this payment condition offers you as an importer more security in the context of an international transaction. You only pay your supplier if the supplier submits the documents you have described in the L/C. You can, for example, ask for a certificate that provides an accurate impression of the quality of the goods you have purchased.

Rabo Corporate Connect

Rabo Corporate Connect is the large corporates transaction portal for your international money flows. It enables you to arrange and review all your payments, currency purchases and currency sales directly online. If you do not (or not yet) have Rabo Corporate Connect, you can monitor and arrange your money flows online via Rabo Internet Banking Professional.

Rabo Corporate Connect - your financial dashboard

Go to Rabobank.com