Entering overseas markets

Introduction

There are various ways of entering overseas markets. You can manage the process yourself - selling directly from the UK or setting up an operation in the target country. Alternatively, you can use an intermediary such as an agent or a distributor.

Deciding how to enter an overseas market will be a crucial part of your export strategy. Different methods will be appropriate in different markets or for different types of product. You should not assume that you can take the same approach in all cases.

This guide contains basic information on the different ways of entering an overseas market and helps you identify which will be best for your situation. For additional basic information see our section on market entry, selling and promotion and our guide researching overseas markets.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The different ways to enter overseas markets
• Choose how to enter overseas markets
• Selling direct from the UK
• Opening operations in overseas markets
• Using an overseas agent
• Using an overseas distributor
• Finding and choosing overseas agents and distributors
• Contracting with overseas agents and distributors
• Here's how an export agent helped me sell my products abroad

Print options - What are my print options - Opens in a new window

• Add guide to my print portfolio (print later as PDF)

Email options - What are my email options - Opens in a new window

• Tell a friend about this page
• Send me an email alert when this guide changes