1. Welcome
1.1 For Sunfoods
1.2 For the Academic Reader
2. The Abstract
3. Thesis Introduction
3.1. The Aim
3.2. Research Background
3.3. The Research Topics
3.4. The Targeted Audience
3.5. Disposition
4. Research Method
4.1. The Constructive Research Method
4.2. The Research Process
4.3. Information Gathering
4.4. Export Guide and Questionnaire Construction
4.5. Analysis Method, Conclusions and Thesis Presentation
4.6. The Broad Scope of the Thesis
5. The Export Guide
5.1. Export Guide Presentation
5.2. Export Readiness
5.3. Trade Condition
5.4. Foreign Market Analysis
6. Questionnaire
6.1. Questionnaire Presentation
6.2. Export Readiness
6.3. Trade Condition
6.4. Foreign Market Analysis
7. Research Results
7.1. Export Readiness
7.2. Trade Condition
7.3. Foreign Market Analysis
8. Discussion
8.1. Export Readiness
8.2. Trade Condition
8.3. Foreign Market Analysis
9. Conclusions
9.1. Export Readiness
9.2. Trade Condition
9.3. Foreign Market Analysis
9.4. The Next Step
10. Supplements
10.1. Site Map
10.2. Glossary
10.3. The Complete Interview
10.4 Acknowledgements
10.5 Sources
8.2. Trade Condition
8.2.1 Tariffs and Non-Tariff Requirements
It has been explained that the EU'S tariff named 'TARIC' applies to products imported to EU-member countries from countries outside the union.(www.ntc.no/cgi-bin/wbch.exe?page_id=13738&d_id=9634 2003-03-10) The 'TARIC' tariff system is said to contain over 20, 000 subdivisions due to various export and import regulations.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-02-26) The system may therefore be seen as extraordinary complicated. For example, the 'TARIC'-web page asserts that there is no tariff on Konnyaku plant roots and powders thereof, but on the other hand the tariff on some processed plant products can be considered very high (over 20%) as it may include additional tariff for farming components and for sugar contents.(http://tullverket.se 2003-03-12) It might be problematical to determine the correct TARIC-subgroup Konnyaku-Chips belongs to based on secondary research only and this may be seen as a barrier to trade for companies entering the EU. However, the Swedish customs claims that it will assist in finding the appropriate tariff that applies to products imported to EU.( http://tullverket.se 2003-03-12) It may thus be advisable to contact the Swedish customs to determine which 'TARIC'-division Konnyaku-Chips belongs to in order to find out which tariff applies to the chips. In doing so this presumed trade barrier might be easily overcome. However the tariff itself, if any applies to Konnyaku-Chip, may be considered to be a trade barrier. Further, it is also claimed that import-related value added tax (VAT) must be paid when products are imported to Sweden from countries outside the EU.(www.ntc.no/cgi-bin/wbch.exe?page_id=13738&d_id=9634 03-03-10) Secondary sources does not appear sufficient for the study of VAT-percentages either and as the Swedish customs provide information regarding this matter it may be recommended that the company consult the Swedish customs prior to exporting to Sweden.
The regulations regarding tariffs and non-tariff requirements in Sweden appear to be complicated and difficult to comprehend. However assistance seems to be available and the tariffs and non-tariff requirements as such do not come forward as unreasonable, even though these factors may need to be studied in greater depth. The study of tariffs and non-tariff requirement may thus not be said to give enough reasons to abandon the export venture.
8.2.2 Trade Friendliness
Knowledge about trade related factors, may help the company determine how to operate in the target market.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 16, 2003-02-18) Such research may also increase the company's understanding of the market's characteristics.(A step-by-step guide to exporting page 16, 2003-02-18) One can argue that Sweden is a trade friendly country which values favorable trade relationships. For example, it is asserted that that Sweden is a member of the European Union and participates completely in the Customs Union and the common trade policies of the union.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-03-23) Moreover, the Swedish economy is described as a small, open and trade-dependent economy with free competition.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-03-23) Further, there are a number of organizations and agencies in Sweden which claim to support foreign companies in order to promote trade. Among these, the 'Invest in Sweden Agency' is said to support foreign companies with information and useful contacts.(www,smv-portalen.dk/view.asp?ID=1221 2003-02-22) Likewise, the 'National Board of Trade'('Kommerskollegiet') is claimed to provide information about Swedish trade policies and other Swedish trade related areas to foreign companies.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-02-26) Moreover the 'Swedish Chambers of Commerce' ('handelskammrarna') are said to provide an exporter's guide to Sweden and other trade related information which may be useful for foreign companies.(www.smv-portalen.dk/view.asp?ID=1221 2003-02-02)
In Japan there are a number of organizations and agencies, which may support companies aiming to export. It is said that the Japanese governmental agency 'Japan External Trade Organization' promotes trade relations between Japan and foreign nations.(www.jetro.go.jp) In addition, the Japanese Customs are said to provide information about trade and tariffs to export companies.(www.customs.go.jp/index_e.htm 2003-03-02)
It can be argued that the politic-economic relationship between Japan and Sweden as a whole is characterized by trade friendliness and as a matter of fact, it is officially maintained that Sweden and Japan have an excellent trade relationship and that both Sweden and Japan aim to increase free trade.(www.swedenabroad.com/pages/general__4446.asp 2003-04-03) The trade friendliness in Sweden and Japan may thus not be considered as grounds for discarding the export venture.
