### International Export and Outbound Logistics: An Overview

#### Abstract
International export and outbound logistics involve the sale and shipment of goods and services beyond the borders of a country, under the jurisdiction of customs authorities. Bangladesh, as a developing nation, benefits from tariff facilities when exporting to developed countries, which support its industrialization and trade. Currently, Bangladesh enjoys tariff-free market access for 90% to 100% of its products in most developed nations, excluding the United States. These trade privileges have significantly boosted Bangladesh’s economy. The country’s high-quality apparel products and efficient supply chain mechanisms have contributed to a doubling of bilateral trade with countries like Canada over the past decade.

#### Keywords
International Export, Outbound Logistics, Supply Chain, Tariff-Free Market Access.

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### Introduction
International export and outbound logistics focus on the demand side of the supply-demand equation. This process encompasses storing and transporting goods to customers or end users, including steps like order fulfillment, packing, shipping, delivery, and customer service. Exports refer to the sale of goods and services produced domestically to international markets, forming a critical part of the global supply chain. Commercial exports often involve customs authorities from both the exporting and importing countries. Companies like Amazon, eBay, and DHL specialize in handling smaller cargo volumes, leveraging internet-based platforms to facilitate cross-border trade.

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### The Nature of Exports
Exports involve the sale and shipment of goods and services outside a country’s jurisdiction, typically in large commercial quantities. However, smaller shipments are also common, facilitated by global e-commerce giants like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. Regardless of the scale, exporters must adhere to customs regulations. Economists and supply chain managers often debate the macroeconomic benefits and risks of exports, as local industries may face challenges from foreign competition.

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### National Regulations
National regulations play a crucial role in controlling trade and exports. For example, Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau oversees export-related promotional and regulatory activities. Similarly, Canada’s Export and Import Controls Bureau manages trade regulations. These regulatory bodies ensure that trade policies align with national economic goals and international agreements.

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### Trade Barriers and Tariffs
Governments often impose trade barriers, tariffs, or strategic regulations to control the export and import of specific products. For instance, international agreements may restrict the trade of items like archaeological artifacts, nuclear supplies, and missile technology. Tariffs are commonly used to protect domestic industries by taxing imported goods. Conversely, some countries offer tax benefits to developing nations through Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) facilities, promoting industrialization and export growth.

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### Export Strategy
An export strategy involves shipping commodities as part of a supply chain to international markets for customer consumption. This strategy includes assessing export readiness, identifying target markets, and addressing key issues like pricing, advertising, transportation, and partnerships. A well-defined export strategy can enhance a company’s supply chain surplus and competitiveness in global markets.

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### Bangladesh’s Export and Trade Benefits
Bangladesh currently enjoys tariff-free market access for 90% to 100% of its products in most developed countries, excluding the United States. Additionally, countries like China and India provide tariff-free access to various Bangladeshi products. Under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh benefit from multilateral trade regimes, allowing tariff-free market access. For instance, Bangladeshi products with 25% local value addition can enter the Canadian market duty-free. These benefits are expected to continue until 2027, with an extension of three additional years for trade-related facilities.

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### Bangladesh’s Exports to Canada
Bangladesh has been identified as a priority country for Canada’s five-year trade facilitation program. According to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, the country’s high-quality apparel products and efficient supply chain mechanisms have significantly boosted bilateral trade, making Bangladesh the second-largest source of Canadian imports from South Asia after India. Key exports to Canada include knitwear, woven garments, textiles, seafood, and footwear. Over 90% of Canada’s merchandise imports from Bangladesh consist of garments and textile products. Canada has confirmed that Bangladesh will continue to enjoy General Preferential Tariff (GPT) benefits until December 2023, with tariff treatments categorized under specific codes based on rules of origin.

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### Conclusion
For successful exports, supply chain managers and CEOs must evaluate supply chain surplus and export readiness. Global Production Networks (GPNs) have integrated production, trade, and services, requiring manufacturers to adopt comprehensive global logistics strategies. Beyond manufacturing, these strategies include governance, transportation, and value-added services. The performance of logistic networks, which link production, distribution, and consumption, plays a critical role in the success of GPNs. Companies must reposition production and distribution assets within global supply chains to remain competitive in the international market.

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#### References
1. Kibria, Asjadul. (2018). “New fight for market access.”