Process to buy products in America and ship to other country? Any legal issues; something I should know?

Question

Hi a friend of mine and I have thought about beginning a small business. It consists in me buying a product here in the U.S., shipping it to another country and my friend selling that product in that country. This product that we're planning to sell is from a pretty huge company; well known throughout the world. I'm not sure if I must contact that company first, or if I can just buy from retail stores and ship that way.

What must I do before I do anything? Do I have to contact certain authorities to pay a tax of some type? Or can I just pay retail price at retail stores and ship away? Help much appreciated. =] Thanks.

Answer 1

There are many products, for example: most computers, and software that contains encryption, that it are illegal to export. You could be in for a lot of trouble if you export something that needs an export license license and you don't have the proper one.

It sounds like your "friend" knows he can't get the products from a legal exporter so trying to get around the law by having you ship it. This could be very costly (fines and federal prison time) to you.

See the source, below, for details.

Answer 2

Why don't you just get a company like Bongo International to do it for you?  They will be able to give you a much better shipping price than you will be able to get yourself.  They also take on the export risk for you for free.  I suggest contacting one of their sales reps to explain it in detail.

http://www.BongoUS.com