Compliance, labeling and contracts: 12 questions answered.
General information, not legal advice. OutsourcedExport coordinates specialists. Every answer stands alone, so jump to the one you need.
Compliance, labeling, trademarks and contracts
General information, not legal advice. OutsourcedExport coordinates specialists, and final determinations stay with them.
Does OutsourcedExport handle export compliance?
OutsourcedExport coordinates the specialists your expansion needs, such as trade attorneys, regulatory consultants, customs brokers and tax advisers. It manages the process. It does not give legal advice or guarantee regulatory approval.
Do I need local regulatory approval to sell in another country?
Often yes, and it depends on the product. Food, supplements, cosmetics, electronics, toys and alcohol each have their own rules abroad, such as CE marking or local product registration. Ask the importer what is required before shipping.
Do I need to translate labels and materials?
Often yes. Many countries require labels in the local language, and buyers respond better to catalogs in their language. Ask your importer which label elements are mandatory and use a native-speaking reviewer.
How do I protect my brand name overseas?
Trademark rights are mostly country by country, so a U.S. registration does not cover other markets. Consider filing in the countries where you plan to sell, before announcing a distributor there.
What is export-control screening?
Export-control screening checks whether a product, destination or buyer is restricted. It includes reviewing government restricted-party lists. A trade attorney or customs specialist can advise on your products.
What does an importer of record do?
The importer of record is legally responsible for a shipment entering a country, including duties, taxes and compliance paperwork. Under DDP terms the seller takes that role. Confirm in writing who it is.
What insurance do I need for exporting?
Consider cargo insurance for goods in transit, product liability coverage that applies in your target countries, and possibly trade credit insurance. Ask an insurance broker to check geographic coverage.
How do I handle product liability abroad?
Check whether your policy covers sales in the target country, and whether the importer or distributor requires named coverage. Rules differ by country, so ask a broker and a local specialist.
Can I use my domestic terms of sale for export?
Not without review. Export terms should address Incoterm, currency, payment method, governing law, dispute resolution and who handles duties. Have an attorney adapt your terms.
What is a certificate of origin?
A certificate of origin states where goods were made. Some buyers and customs authorities require it, and it can support claims for lower duties under a trade agreement. Your forwarder or chamber of commerce can advise.
Do trade agreements like USMCA lower duties?
Trade agreements such as USMCA can lower duties, if the product meets the agreement's rules of origin and you keep the paperwork. Check the current text and your product's qualification with a customs broker.
What should be in a confidentiality agreement with an overseas partner?
State what information is protected, how it may be used, for how long and under which country's law. Have an attorney draft it, since enforcement differs by country.
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Related: Compliance coordination
Statements about OutsourcedExport come from this site's solutions, services and industries pages. Everything else is general export guidance. Duties, thresholds and filing rules change, so confirm them with the official agency or a licensed specialist. Nothing here is legal advice.
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