

Foreign buyers are also concerned that the goods may not be sent if payment is made in advance. However, requiring payment in advance is the least attractive option for the buyer, because it creates unfavorable cash flow. With the advancement of the Internet, escrow services are becoming another cash-in-advance option for small export transactions. For international sales, wire transfers and credit cards are the most commonly used cash-in-advance options available to exporters. With cash-in-advance payment terms, an exporter can avoid credit risk because payment is received before the ownership of the goods is transferred. Therefore, importers want to receive the goods as soon as possible but to delay payment as long as possible, preferably until after the goods are resold to generate enough income to pay the exporter.For importers, any payment is a donation until the goods are received.Therefore, exporters want to receive payment as soon as possible, preferably as soon as an order is placed or before the goods are sent to the importer.

For exporters, any sale is a gift until payment is received.International trade presents a spectrum of risk, which causes uncertainty over the timing of payments between the exporter (seller) and importer (foreign buyer).During or before contract negotiations, you should consider which method in the figure is mutually desirable for you and your customer. As shown in figure 1, there are five primary methods of payment for international transactions. Because getting paid in full and on time is the ultimate goal for each export sale, an appropriate payment method must be chosen carefully to minimize the payment risk while also accommodating the needs of the buyer. To succeed in today’s global marketplace and win sales against foreign competitors, exporters must offer their customers attractive sales terms supported by the appropriate payment methods. Consider more attractive payment methods as outlined in this article and accompanying videos.

While there is zero risk of non-payment if you do business this way, you risk losing business by overlooking competitors willing to offer buyers better payment options.

products overseas expect or prefer to be paid in full in advance. Many American businesses new to selling U.S.
