Hello everyone

I’m looking to start exporting to Colombia. My girlfriend is Colombian and currently lives there. We have ideas for US products that we would like to sell there- these are niche products that are not available there yet or they are available but at twice or more the value that they are sold here for. We

The idea is that she will have an instagram store and/ or dedicate a space in part of her parents business to have a storefront in a commercial area. I will deal with the purchasing and communications with businesses from the US as im a native English speaker and US citizen.

I am having a hard time looking where to start, whether she should start the business there as a importer, and if I should start my own business here as a sourcing agent - I would have more access to capital and US tax advantages , and Im not sure if that would help me get access to wholesale pricing as well.

Obviously there is a lot of work to be done. I am an electrician by trade and newer to the field of business. I’m willing to put the work in and learn, the issue now is to get in the right direction.

I also have the means to take time off and move there, our eventual goal is to have the sales supplement us while we live/ work on a finca down there.

All advice and criticism is welcome, thanks in advance.

  • cassiuswright@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    You will likely end up needing a company in both countries. One that’s buying and exporting from America to Colombia, and then a local Colombian company to facilitate imports and sales. Every country on earth has different import/export regulations and tariffs so start by seeing what Colombia charges for goods being imported. As an example: electronics, alcohol, tobacco and anything manufactured locally in Colombia will probably have a higher import tax than stuff like clothing or basic home goods. Those tariffs are why some of the items you see in Colombia are double the US price.

    • Cutletcabron@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thank you. That makes sense about the pricing. We are mainly looking at health/beauty products. I suppose the shipping can have a great impact too

  • founderscurve@alien.top
    BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    seek out the chamber of commerce for your home country in Colombia, and the colombian chamber of commerce, the people in the chamber of commerce will be able to help you navigate this since they have the network and access of the gov info to facilitate.

    also try and find others who are trading between Colombia like you are, ask them.

    • Cutletcabron@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thank you very much, I’ve been reading about it and it seems like it would be a great start to get some resources