Exporting yourself or using a commercial agent or distributor
Do you want to sell products in another country? An intermediary such as a commercial agent or distributor can approach and handle the market for you. You can also sell your products yourself. Read more about the pros and cons of having it done or doing it yourself.
Entering a new market
Market approach is the search for new customers. From the Netherlands, you can enter foreign markets in 2 ways:
- directly: you sell your products yourself.
- indirectly: a distributor or commercial agent sells your products.
Direct market approach
You send your products and invoice directly to your customer. You have contact with your customers and do your own marketing.
You can also start a foreign branch to sell your products.
Advantages of having your own branch:
- Customers trust you sooner, because they are doing business with a company in their own country.
- Your local employees tell you about market developments.
- You have your own staff and manage your own stock. As a result, you can help your customers better and faster.
Disadvantages of having your own branch:
- It takes time and effort to start and run a business.
- A foreign branch costs extra money.
Indirect market approach
Do you approach the market indirectly? You do so by using a distributor or a commercial agent.
Distributor
A distributor buys your goods and then sells them to customers. If you work with a distributor, you run less risk of a customer not paying the invoice. You also need to enter into only one contract. The distributor arranges the sale of the products abroad.
Commercial agent
A commercial agent finds customers for you. You pay the commercial agent a commission for this. You then sell your products to these customers yourself. You determine the selling price. When working with a commercial agent, you have direct contact with the users of your products. And you can follow market developments better.
Read more about distributors and commercial agents.
Advantages and disadvantages of (in)direct market approach
The direct and indirect market approach both have advantages and disadvantages.
Direct
Advantages
- direct contact with customers
- higher profits
- no dependence on foreign partners
Disadvantages
- greater financial risks
- investing in time and personnel
- small group of customers
- not enough knowledge of foreign market and culture
Indirect
Advantages
- no or little additional staff needed
- the intermediary has knowledge of the market
- usually larger group of customers
- lower financial risks
Disadvantages
- less profit
- dependent on effort of intermediary
- no direct contact with customers
Drawing up contracts
You draw up a distribution agreement with a distributor or an agency agreement with the commercial agent. Do you sell directly to a customer? If so, draw up an international sales contract.
Always record agreements on paper. The Union of Dutch Trade agents and importers, VHNI, and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Netherlands have model contracts available.
Related articles
Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO