Before embarking on the journey to conquer international markets, every business needs to clearly understand its own export capacity. A self-assessment helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement—enabling businesses to prepare strategically and increase their chances of success.

Below is an Export Readiness Self-Assessment Checklist you can use as a reference:

1. Production and Supply Capacity

• Does your product meet international quality standards (ISO, HACCP, FDA, Halal, etc.)?
  
• Can your production system handle large and consistent order volumes?
  
• Are your warehouse management, operations, and packaging systems ready for export requirements?
  

2. Legal Documents and Certifications

• Does your company have an export code and the appropriate business licenses?
  
• Do your products have all required documentation such as CO (Certificate of Origin), CQ (Certificate of Quality), MSDS, and relevant origin or quarantine certificates?
  
• Have you registered your trademark or brand protection in your target export markets?
  

3. Market and Customer Knowledge

• Have you researched your target markets — including demand, consumer preferences, distribution channels, and competitors?
  
• Do you fully understand import regulations, tariffs, and product standards in the destination country?
  
• Does your team have the ability to communicate and negotiate in foreign languages, especially business English?
  

4. Marketing Strategy and Access Channels

• Do you have a professional English company profile, product catalogue, and bilingual website?
  
• Do you plan to participate in international fairs, exhibitions, or connect via B2B platforms (such as Alibaba, TradeKey, etc.)?
  
• Have you defined a pricing strategy, sales policy, and distribution plan suited to your target markets?
  

5. Financial and Human Resource Capacity

• Do you have sufficient capital to invest in logistics, marketing, and manage payment collection periods?
  
• Does your team have expertise in export–import procedures, international payments, and contract management?
  
• Do you have access to consulting partners or service providers supporting legal, documentation, and international logistics?
  

✅ Conclusion:
Assessing your export readiness is the first and most important step before entering global markets. A clear understanding of your company’s capabilities allows you to build a practical strategy, minimize risks, and turn potential opportunities into real export success.