New Zealand’s economy is export-led, driven by industries like dairy and wine. Smaller players are also conquering offshore markets with smart, innovative products and services. You don’t have to be a Fonterra to make it. With the right preparation and support, even a small business can take on the world.

Weigh up the pros and cons:

• Pros: increased sales, more customers, increased profit margins or increased utilisation of production capacity
• Cons: greater complexity in manufacturing, shipping, and risk management
• Pitfalls: underestimating what's required in terms of investment, capital, money, time, and processes to develop a market overseas. Underestimating the working capital needed to run and grow the business overseas.

In New Zealand, the turnaround from getting an order, producing goods, selling them, to getting paid can be rapid. When selling overseas, it can take longer to get an order. The order might be larger, so production takes longer. Distance to market increases. It can take longer or be more difficult to get paid.

Laws, regulations, and customs differ from market to market, including registering a business, information required, customs rates, tariffs, and overseas tax requirements along with your tax obligations on overseas income in New Zealand. Contracts, terms of trade, and insurance need to be specific to the markets. It’s also important to understand how your product might be perceived in the target market.

If you are considering export markets, there are useful resources at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, MBIE, Business New Zealand and the Chambers of Commerce.

Consult with your advisors: your accountant, your lawyer, your bank. There's a broad range of people in New Zealand willing to help new exporters discover and work at being successful.