EXIM Advisory

Practical EXIM advisory for businesses entering global trade.

Businesses new to international trade often need direction before they need contacts. Pathfinder Global EXIM provides practical advisory on export readiness, product classification, documentation understanding, Incoterms, pricing structure and market entry planning.

The Problem

Why this matters.

Businesses new to international trade need direction before they need contacts — on readiness, classification, documentation, terms, payment risk and how a trade process actually runs end to end.

Who this is for

First-time exporters, MSMEs, manufacturers, FPOs and importers building their first structured international trade programme.

Services included

  • Export and import readiness review
  • HS code and product classification guidance
  • Documentation understanding support
  • Incoterms and commercial terms guidance
  • Export pricing structure review
  • Market entry planning support

Deliverables

  • Export and import readiness review
  • Import sourcing assessment for planned purchases
  • HS code and product classification guidance note
  • Trade-process map from enquiry to delivery
  • Payment-risk awareness and Incoterms briefing

Process

  1. 01

    Consultation

    Current position, product and objectives reviewed.

  2. 02

    Assessment

    Readiness, classification and sourcing assessment completed.

  3. 03

    Mapping

    Trade process mapped stage by stage with responsibilities.

  4. 04

    Briefing

    Payment risk, Incoterms and pricing structure explained in your context.

  5. 05

    Action plan

    Prioritised next steps agreed for your first or next shipment.

Your responsibilities

  • Share accurate product, capacity and commercial information
  • Respond to clarifications and shortlists within agreed timeframes
  • Confirm pricing, terms and commitments directly with the counterparty
  • Complete final legal, tax, customs and compliance checks with your own advisors

Pathfinder responsibilities

  • Structure the requirement and agree the scope in writing before work begins
  • Apply the four-level screening framework to every counterparty introduced
  • Maintain documented, professional communication with both sides
  • Report progress at agreed intervals until the engagement reaches a clear outcome

Import sourcing assessment

Planned imports are reviewed for supplier suitability, landed-cost logic, packaging and certification expectations before commitments are made.

Payment-risk awareness

Advance payment, documentary collection and letter-of-credit structures are explained with their practical risk exposure, so payment terms are chosen deliberately rather than by default.

Buyer and supplier evaluation

Counterparties are evaluated using the same four-level screening framework applied across every Pathfinder engagement.

  • Business Identity Review
  • Capability Review
  • Document Review
  • Transaction-Specific Due Diligence

Typical timeline

Typically 1–4 weeks per advisory engagement.

Commercial model

Engagements may use a fixed advisory fee, milestone-based fee, success commission or a combination, depending on the agreed scope.

Limitations

EXIM advisory is guidance and preparation support. Customs, duty, tax, legal and certification decisions must be confirmed with the relevant authorities and professional advisors. EXIM advisory is guidance and preparation support. Customs, duty, tax, legal and certification decisions must be confirmed with the relevant authorities and professional advisors.