Why readiness comes first
Finding a buyer is only the first gate. When a buyer replies, they ask for a price, a sample, a certificate or a lead time, and a slow or unclear answer loses them. Most export conversations that go nowhere stall on the manufacturer's side, not the buyer's. Check these before you contact anyone.
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Answer all 16 to see where you stand. 0/20 so far
What the results mean
| Result | Rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Green | All six gates met and 14 or more points | Ready for focused buyer outreach in one market. |
| Yellow | All six gates met and 9 to 13 points | Fix the weakest points first, then start outreach. |
| Red | Any gate not met, or under 9 points | Get ready before contacting buyers. |
The thresholds are a working rule of thumb from Elevio's own qualification process, not an official standard.
Fixing the common gaps
| Gap | Fix | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Can't quote an export price quickly | Build a price sheet in advance, with FOB prices for your main items. | Export pricing guide |
| Unsure which certificates a market needs | Look up your product code and the destination's requirements before choosing a market. | HS code and duty guide |
| Advance payment only | Learn the safer middle ground: letters of credit, collections and credit insurance. | Payment terms guide |
| No idea who you compete with | Use free trade data to see who supplies your product to a market, and at what price. | Choosing a market guide |
| No sample policy | Decide what you'll send, who pays for it, and how fast, before a buyer asks. | Samples and first order guide |
Questions
Where do these checks come from?
They're the checks Elevio uses in a first meeting with a manufacturer, before recommending any buyer outreach. The score thresholds are a working rule of thumb, not an official standard.
Do I need to have exported before?
The first gate asks for recent export experience or a named overseas buyer, because first-time exporters usually hit problems on pricing, documents and payment before buyers are the issue. If you haven't exported yet, start with the export-ready guides.
Is my answer saved or sent anywhere?
No. The checklist runs entirely in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.