Different Countries = Different Rules

Cross-Cultural Communication Differences

I am often surprised by some questions and rants some readers have with regards to doing international business. There is not one established world legislation ruling above every countries import-export or all international finance.

The world is made of different countries with different rules, regulations and laws. Within each country the rules, regulations and laws for that country apply. Your country’s legislation does not apply to any other country in their territory.

There are international agreements. And these agreements do work most of the time. They will make life easy for you. But sometimes countries interpret those agreements differently. And sometimes countries have different ways of operating or doing things, so those agreements many not be so straight forward to implement.

And of course there are countries that do not sign certain international agreements.

Here is an illustration everyone should understand. Disposal of nuclear waste is a business. The companies doing this have to comply with the legislations in any country the nuclear waste is transiting through. It is easy to understand that you wouldn’t want a nuclear waste truck to break down in front of your local primary school.

But in different countries there are different habits, different ways of life. The countries have different histories, they developed differently. We can safely assume that from their point of view their rules, regulations and laws are better suited to their country than yours are. And that these rules, regulations and laws may well be different, or approached differently, or interpreted differently, or carried out differently.

Depending on what you are selling, you will need to do some industry research. You will need to check the rules and regulations in all countries concerned. Get as much information as you can from the relevant sources. And keep all of the contact details so that you know who to contact quickly in case you need expert answers quickly.

Remember you will have to do your own legwork to ensure you are complying with your countries import-export and international trade legislation as well as any other countries concerned.

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