Expand sales by going beyond our borders

Expand sales by going beyond our borders.

If you're an established company, consider exporting as a way to diversify and increase your profits. In addition to increasing sales, by diversifying, you can help protect your business against economic downturns in your local market. You can also extend your product’s lifecycle; for example, items that are technologically outdated in Canada might be ideal for a developing country. The experience and knowledge that you gain by exporting could lead to further business opportunities.

Know what it takes to be a successful exporter.

Although there are exceptions, successful exporters generally have a solid, established business in Canada. Reliable production systems, a good reputation for supplying quality merchandise, and products that are in demand internationally are also keys to success.

Take advantage of government assistance.

Export is one of Canada's top priorities, and there are several good programs and associations that support and promote exporting by offering financial assistance. Book an appointment with one of our trade advisors for advice on how to obtain funding to enter new international markets.

Register for the Log Exemption

 Register for the Log Exemption Information System (LEXIS)

The Ministry of Forest, Economics and Trade Register launched their new system, LEXIS, this month.  The system allows companies to apply on-line and receive exemptions and permits through a secure internet site.

3. Contact the Export Controls Division of International Trade Canada 

The Export Controls Division of International Trade Canada (EXCOL), are responsible for granting federal export permits of logs.  Export permits are processed in Ottawa by an export controls officer and are issued within 3 business days of receipt of the completed application. 

 

EXCOL has an online system which allows businesses to submit applications via web for export permits and certificates, as well as request amendments. 

 

Before exporting logs, businesses are required to advertise the surplus of logs online through EXCOL for two weeks prior to exportation. 

 

For further information contact the Permit Officer, Annick Lavoie at 613-947-8730.

4. Obtain a Federal Permit for Exporting Softwood Lumber

In order to export softwood lumber to the US you must obtain a federal export permit.  This permit requires registration with both Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.  

 

All businesses must be registered for GST before completing the softwood online form. Visit the CRA website to find out how to register for GST. 

 

For further information contact your local Permit Officer:

Interior Region

Phone: 613-943-0508.  

Coastal Region

Phone: 613-944-3136.  

 

General information can also be found on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website. 

 

5. Understand Your Fumigation Requirements 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the federal agency responsible for log fumigation.  They are responsible for the prevention of the introduction and spread of regulated pests into Canada and export programs for Canadian forestry products.  Visit the CFIA websiteto find out more information on your obligations in regards to packaging materials, treated wood products, debarking and grub hold control and restrictions of movement for specific log types.

Statistics sourced from BC Stats on behalf of the Ministry of Forest, Economics and Trade.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/het/analysis-forest-exports.htm

For more information on how to export goods from Canada, visitTRADESTART.ca

QUICK TIPS FOR EXPORTING

Forest products are big business in BC. In March 2011, the total earnings from BC's forest product exports totaled $926 million, an increase of 22.3% from March 2010. Over 37% of these forest products were exported to the US, with China accounting for over 32% and Japan for nearly 12%.

With the market bottoming out in 2009 and recovering moderately in 2010 the industry has had to reassess its target market, becoming less dependent on the US and increasing its presence in the Asian market.

 

Historically forest products have accounted for more than half of the total value of BC's exported goods internationally.  With businesses which have under 100 employees accounting for six out of 10 jobs across the forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction industry, it is evident that there is still a popular industry for small business owners.

 

With such a large dependency on this industry, it is important to know what is required when exporting forest products.  We have outlined a few quick tips to guide you through the industry's rules and regulations.

1. Contact the Ministry of Forest, Economics and Trade

The Ministry of Forest, Economics and Trade is responsible for granting provincial export permits in BC.  On their website you can find information about:

 

• All provincial regulations including: restrictions, applications and exemptions
   
• Specific procedures for the export of coastal timber which originates from with the Coast and Northern Interior Forest Regions.
   
• Specific policies for the export of interior timber

We recommend however that you contact the regional office closes to where the timber is located for specific instructions as regulations can often vary.  

 

Contacts: 

Coast Forest Region 

2100 Labieux Road

Nanaimo, B.C.  V9T 6E9

Phone:  (250) 751-7090

Fax:  (250) 751-7197

 

Northern Interior Forest Region

1911 Fourth Avenue

Prince George, B.C.  V2L 3H9

Phone:  (250) 565-6100

Fax:  (250) 565-6671

 

Southern Interior Forest Region

515 Columbia Street

Kamloops, B.C.  V2V 2T7

Phone:  (250) 828-4102

Fax:  (250) 828-4154

The Numbers

The Numbers

In 2010 Canadian exports from Colombia totalled $643.8 million, while Canadian imports from Colombia totalled $717.4 million.  Once implemented, the agreement is hoped to stimulate the growth of Canada’s commercial relationship with Colombia, and help level the playing field for Canadian businesses against their competitors.

 

Based on current trading patterns, it is estimated that the annual savings on duties will be approximately $9.1 million for Canadian importers once the agreement is fully implemented. 

 

Summary of Benefits to Canadian Businesses

In summary the overall benefits of the agreement for Canadian businesses are:

• New market opportunities for Canadians in Colombia
• New opportunities for partnerships in order to diversify your business whether with new products, new markets or new methods of production
• New customers and target market
• New investors from Colombia who are keen to invest in Canadian companies or from Canadians who are keen to invest in Colombia through your business
• New links in supply and production chains – potentially lowering production costs
• New choices for consumers through the import of Colombian goods or services

More information

For more information on the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement or any other information regarding importing and exporting goods to and from Canada, contact Small Business BC and ask to speak to our Trade Expert.  All trade advisory services can be delivered in both English and Spanish.

What does this mean for Canadian Businesses?

What does this mean for Canadian Businesses?

The free trade agreement will provide greater market access for Canadian exporters of products such as wheat, pulses, barley, paper products, and heavy equipment.  In addition, the agreement will provide greater stability and protection for Canadian businesses involved in oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and financial services.  

 

Prior to the agreement, Canadian exporters applied tariffs on agricultural products averaged at 16.6% with industrial goods averaging at 11.8%. The abolition of these tariffs will help enhance the competitive position of Canadian exporters in the Colombian markets, and create opportunities for Canadian exporters.

 

Canadian businesses importing products such as coffee, bananas, coal, oil, sugar and flowers from Colombia will also benefit from the removal of the applied tariffs from Canada.  This will help lower the costs of logistics and operations and is expected to increase the number of imports from Colombia. 

 

Other benefits include the promotion of regulatory practices, including transparency and the use of international standards or their relevant parts, and the streamlining of conformity-assessment procedures; areas which have been lacking prior to the agreement. The benefits of this transparency include facilitated border access, for temporary entry, for a broad range of service providers, technicians, contractors and independent professionals.

 

Canadian companies have also demonstrated an increasing interest in investing in Colombia. Colombia is an important destination for Canadian Direct Investment Abroad (CDIA). Canadian investors are set to benefit from the agreement, through having a more secure environment in which to invest.  Investment stock in Colombia is projected to grow rapidly over the next two years, largely driven by interest in Colombia’s oil and gas and mining sectors.

Using Video on Your Website

Using Video on Your Website

Why is video so important on a website?  According to comScore, YouTube is now the second most popular search engine behind Google, which means that video is fast becoming the best marketing tool you can use grow your market. Think about the last time you did a search on Google, which results were shown on that first page?  The top results were probably pay per click advertising and video. With Google and the other search engines continuing to evolve how they rank the content or websites they think visitors would like to see, video is becoming increasingly popular. 

 

According to RealSEO, video search results now have a 41% higher click through rate over plain text search results. And with more and more people accessing those videos through a mobile device or smartphone, an audience which grew 40% in 2010 alone, that market cannot be ignored.  In fact according to Forrester Research, videos were 53 times more likely than traditional web pages to receive an organic first-page ranking.

 

Creating a corporate promotional video can have additional benefits for the company and its employees too. At Webnames.ca what started out as a corporate promotional video to attract customers, actually resulted in becoming a great team building experience for the entire staff and management team. Having the whole office gather together to talk about and showcase what they thought the core values of the business are, was extremely powerful. 

Win a WordPress Website or 30 Second Professional Video during Small Business Month

In support of Small Business Month, Small Business BC has partnered with Webnames.ca to offer a great contest which will run for the entire month of October. 

Prizes include either:
 

• FastTrack WordPress Website –including one year free web hosting, email, domain name and training on how to use WordPress.
  Or
   
• 30 Second Professional Video - including one professionally produced and edited video created by BBN3.