UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

International direct marketing guide :

regional markets and selected countries

William A. Delphos, editor ; Thomas W. Jacobson, project director/editor.

Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the Library of Congress catalog
Counter
Acknowledgements      iv
Preface     v
Overview of International Business & Direct Marketing I
     U.S. Exports Chart.- Growth & Volume Leaders     2
     Basic Steps in Finding a Successful Market     5
     Key Export Telephone Hotlines     6

               SECTON ONE
        REGIONS, SELECTED COUNTRIES,
         AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Chapter One
UNDERSTANDING ISSUES UNIQUE
TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS     9
  Business Communications     9
     Mail     10
     Telex     10
     Facsimile Machine     10
     Telephone     11
  Country-Specific Issues     12
     Culture     12
     Charts of Country Issues to Consider     14
     Language     18
  Hints for International Travel     19
     Currency     19
     Electric Voltage     19
     Weather     19
     Passport     19
     Visa     19
     Immunization Requirements     20
     International Driver's License     20
     Carnet     20
CHAPTER Two
OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL
     MARKETS BY REGION     21
     (Includes Direct Marketing Infrastructure Charts)
     North America     21
     Western Europe     25
     Pacific Rim     31
     Eastern Europe     36
     Latin America     40
     Other Markets: Africa, Middle East and Near East     44

CHAPTER THREE
OVERVIEWS OF SELECTED COUNTRIES     49
     (Macroeconomic Data, Primary Exports and Imports, Direct
Marketing lnfrastructure,Business Customs, Cultural Characteris-
tics and Holidays, How to Advertise Your Product, Documenta-
tion, Legal Requirements, Buying Habits and Mailing Tips)


     Australia     49
     Canada     60
     France     71
     Germany     81
     Japan     91
     Mexico     101
     United Kingdom     111

                  Section Two
        INTERNATIONAL DIRECT MARKETING


CHAPTER ONE
SELECTING A COUNTRY/MARKET     123

     Classification     123
     U.S. Department of Commerce Industry Specialists     125
     U.S. Department of Agriculture Industry Specialists     125
     General Market Information Resources     126
     Product/Commodity Information     126
     Country-Specific Resources     127
     Worldwide Information     128
     Detailed Market Research     128
     Choosing a Market for an Int'l Direct Mailing Campaign     130
CHAPTER TWO
REACHING THE CUSTOMER     133
     Writing Copy for an International Market     134
     Mailing Lists     135
     Direct Mail     137
     Telemarketing     140
     Cataloguing :     141
     Advertising Mediums     142
             Television     143
             Radio     143
             Newspapers     143
             Magazines     144
             Outdoor Advertising Mediums     144
     Premiums     145
     Trade Events     146
     Agents and Distributors     147

     Chapter Three
PRICING CONSIDERATIONS     149

     Pricing Strategy     149
     Cost Issues     150
             After-Sales Service and Guarantees     150
             Modifications     151
             Promotion/Advertising     152
             Packaging     153
             Direct Marketing Expenses     1,53
     Calculating the Price     154
             Marginal Cost Method     154
             Cost Plus Method     154

     Chapter Four
ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS     155

     Accounting Considerations     155
     General Accounting Principles     155
     * Free Trade Areas     156
     * Licensing of Services     156
     * Customs Drawbacks     156
     * The Foreign Tax Limitation     157
     * Transfer of Property to a Foreign Corporation     157
     Foreign Sales Corporations (FSCs)     157
     Legal Considerations     159
     U.S. Goverrument Regulations     159
     * Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA)     159
     * U.S. Anti-Boycott Laws     159
     * Licensing Regulations     160
     * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)     162
    Foreign Government Regulations     162
     * Anti-Dumping     163
     * Intellectual Property Rights     163
     * Trademarks     164
     * Industrial Designs     164
     * Copyrights     164

     Chapter Five
SALES TRANSACTIONS     165
     Traditional Methods of Payment     165
             Credit Cards     165
             Foreign Bank Checks     166
             Open Account     167
             Advance Pavment     168
     Non-Traditional Methods of Payment     168
             Consignent     168
             Documentary Collection     168
             Letters of Credit     169
             Bank Transferrals     169
             (Variable) Direct Debit     170
     Pro Forma Invoices     170
     Financial Support Mechanisms     171
     International Credit Insurance     172
     Additional Shipping Considerations     173

                 Section Three

        INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SERVICES

WORLDPOST SERVICES: THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE'S
     INTERNATIONAL NETWORK     179

     International Mail's Role in Direct Marketing     179
     Working with the Postal Account Representative     180
     Working with the International Account Representative     181

     WORLDPOST Services     184
     INTELPOST (R) Service     184
     INTELPOST Locations     185
     Express Mail International Service (EMS)     186
     Express Mail Military Service (EMMS)     188
     International Priority Air Mail (IPA)     189
     International Surface Air Lift (ISAL)     190
     IPA/ISAL Designated Acceptance Cities     190
     Airmail     191
     Surface Mail     191
     International Business Reply Services (IBRS)     192
     Special Services     193
     * Insurance     193
     * Registered Mail     193
     * Return Receipt     193
     * Special Delivery     193
     Bulk Letter Service to Canada     194
     Important Information for International Mailings     195
     * International Mail Standards: Checklist     195
     * Addressing Your Mail     195
     U.S. Postal Service Overseas Delivery Schedule     196
     Selected U.S. Postal Service Publications     197


     Section Four

     NEXT-STEP RESOURCES

Recommended Publications     201
Direct Markefing Associations Worldwide     211
U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service Offices     216
U.S. Embassies and Consulates Abroad     222
U.S. Customs Service Regional and District Offices     244
Country Desk Officers: Dept's of Commerce & State     247
Foreign Embassies in the United States     253
AMCHAMS     263
lnternaflonal Dialing Codes     271
International Time Zones (Major Cities)     275
Metric Converter 276
lnternational ZIP Code Information     277
U.S. Postal Service Marketing Contacts     281