Introduction
Pricing and costing are two different things and an exporter should not confuse between the two. Price is what an exporter offer to a customer on particular products while cost is what an exporter pay for manufacturing the same product.
Export pricing is the most important factor in for promoting export and facing international trade competition. It is important for the exporter to keep the prices down keeping in mind all export benefits and expenses. However, there is no fixed formula for successful export pricing and is differ from exporter to exporter depending upon whether the exporter is a merchant exporter or a manufacturer exporter or exporting through a canalising agency.
Determining Export Pricing
Export Pricing can be determine by the following factors:
- Range of products offered.
- Prompt deliveries and continuity in supply.
- After-sales service in products like machine tools, consumer durables.
- Product differentiation and brand image.
- Frequency of purchase.
- Presumed relationship between quality and price.
- Specialty value goods and gift items.
- Credit offered.
- Preference or prejudice for products originating from a particular source.
- Aggressive marketing and sales promotion.
- Prompt acceptance and settlement of claims.
- Unique value goods and gift items.
Export Costing
Export Costing is basically Cost Accountant’s job. It consists of fixed cost and variable cost comprising various elements. It is advisable to prepare an export costing sheet for every export product.
As regards quoting the prices to the overseas buyer, the same are quoted in the following internationally accepted terms which are commonly known as Incoterm.
