Importing is not just for those lone-wolf, footloose adventurer types who survive by their wits and the skin of their teeth. It's big business these days'more than $870 billion in goods and services, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exporting is just as big: In one year alone, American companies exported $349 billion in merchandise to 226 foreign countries. Everything from beverages to commodes'and a staggering list of other products you might never think of as global merchandise'are fair game for the savvy trader.

But the import/export field is not the sole purview of the big guys. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, large companies sell only 4 percent of all exports. The other 96 percent'the lion's share of the business'is wide open to the startup entrepreneur.

As a top import/export agent, you can net a healthy six-figure income by matching buyers and sellers from around the globe, right from your own home. This book is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for tapping into lucrative global markets, including overviews if the op foreign markets to help you get a running start. It covers every aspect if the start-up process, including:
-How to collect money from overseas transactions
-How the government can help you find products and customers
-A list of newsletters, directories and U.S. Department of Commerce publications
-Legal aspects of import/export
-How to choose a customs broker
-A sample letter for generating contacts in the United States and abroad

This book, based on a bestselling Entrepreneur Start-Up Guide, can help you become a player in the glamorous and lucrative world of international exchange.