Importer/Exporter Kaiwhiwhi Rawa i Tāwāhi/Kaituku Rawa Ki Tāwāhi

Importers/exporters plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the operations of an importing or exporting business.

Registration is not required for importers/exporters. However, they can become members of Export New Zealand, which provides access to advice and information on exporting.

• Export New Zealand website - information about joining Export New Zealand

Importers/exporters may do some or all of the following:

• identify local and overseas business opportunities
• gather information on products and work out the cost of supplying them
• work with local and overseas suppliers and distributors of goods
• arrange the shipping of goods into and out of the country
• negotiate customs, shipping and air freight of goods
• develop promotional and marketing campaigns for products
• keep up to date with exchange and financial market rates
• communicate with government agencies such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Subject Recommendations

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an importer/exporter. However, business studies and languages are useful.

Related Careers

Importers/exporters may move into managerial or consultant positions in the industry, or run their own business.

They may specialise in areas such as:

• dairy
• wool
• textiles
• machinery
• electronics.

They may also specialise in roles such as:

Export Agent

Export agents help companies to sell their products to an overseas market (where the export agent is usually based). They are usually paid a sales commission.

Import Agent

Import agents calculate exchange rates and order foreign products. They ensure the legality of importing and selling products.