Import & export

Cold calling in import & export

Trading is all about margin and reliability of supply. A call offering a better-priced source or a new market for their goods gets a hearing.

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Why cold calling works here

Import/export and trading companies buy and sell across borders on margin, and cold calling works because their whole model is finding a better source or a new outlet. The buyer is an owner or purchasing/sales lead constantly weighing price, reliability, currency, and lead time. You're either offering them cheaper or more reliable supply, or a new distribution market for what they trade. Lead with a concrete product, price advantage, or market opening — not a vague 'we do international trade'.

Pains you can lever

Margin squeezed by rising supplier prices or currency swings
Unreliable overseas suppliers causing stockouts and delays
Overdependence on one source country or one buyer market
Quality and compliance issues on imported goods
No new distribution channels to grow volume

How to open the call

Lead with a product and an edge: 'You trade in [product category] — I can offer either a more reliable source at a better landed cost, or a new market for what you're already moving. Which is more useful to you right now: cutting supply cost or opening new demand?'

Objections you'll hear (and how to handle them)

We have our suppliers/buyers.

Of course — trading's built on relationships. I'm offering an alternative source or outlet to run alongside, so you're not exposed if one country or one buyer wobbles. Diversification is leverage, not disloyalty.

Your price won't beat our current source.

Maybe not per unit — but landed cost, reliability, and payment terms decide real margin. Give me the product and volume and I'll quote a full landed cost you can compare properly.

Send me your catalog/prices.

Trade pricing moves with volume, Incoterms, and currency, so a static list misleads. Tell me the product and quantity you move and I'll come back with a real, current offer.

What Tepio's AI brief surfaces here

Tepio's AI brief reads the company's site to infer what goods they trade, likely source and destination markets, and their role (importer, exporter, distributor) — so you open with a relevant product and margin angle.

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