How do I Become a Textile Exporter?

A textile exporter is an important link in the chain of clothing production and sales. If you want to become a textile exporter, you must be a master of sales, understand your product and also pay close attention to international laws and taxes. If you can perform these duties, you successfully will be able to take your local product and send it out into the worldwide market.

There are no formal educational requirements to become a textile exporter, but school can be a huge benefit. A bachelor's degree in business, especially focusing on sales and logistics, can be useful, but so can a foreign language degree or even a focus on textile arts and fashion. Mathematics and economics also are a crucial part of this job. Another way to learn the complex world of textile exports is to take an entry-level job assisting an exporter, helping him or her with the wide array of daily duties necessary for the job.

Those duties will demand all of your attention if you become a textile exporter. The role of salesman is paramount in this job, because you will be working with importers, distributors and merchandise buyers to convince them to purchase your wool, cotton and other textiles. Your communications skills will be a big part of this role, but so will your ability to understand the product. You must be a diligent student of textiles and understand what makes your product unique, what buyers are looking for and how to speak the language of textiles. Your business sense also must be strong, because exporters frequently lead contract negotiations.

One major consideration when working on contracts and figuring sale prices are a particular country's import and export laws and taxes. You not only must know your country's statutes if you want to become a textile exporter, you also must know the rules of all countries to which you are shipping goods. Some nations will not accept certain products, and others apply different taxes that need to be figured into the price. This is a complex part of the job that frequently changes, so you must study the laws frequently.

When you gain the necessary skills to become a textile exporter, you will have many professional options. Many textile exporters work for companies that manufacture textiles, some work for large distribution companies that export a number of goods, and others work independently, choosing what textiles to export themselves. No matter what professional route you choose, you will be part of a rapidly changing industry and do business around the globe.