ABSTRACT
The term logistics was used originally by the military to describe the total effort applied to moving troops globally. For the past three decades, the term has come to be applied to the commercial movements of products and a new type of organization that has appeared, the third party logistics operator (3PL). The method of market entry will influence the distribution or logistics for the international marketer. Foreign markets will be successful only if the new supply chains are managed as rigorously as the domestic ones. The exporting process begins with the decision to engage in foreign business. A license from the federal government is required to export any product from the United States. Most products are not sensitive products or sold to sensitive countries and may be shipped under a general license. A variety of specialized ships exist for transporting ocean going cargo such as those designated lighter aboard ship (LASH).
