International sourcing and supply of certain goods such as special devices and machinery of technology leaders for industrial applications used to be handled in some areas mainly through dealers/ distributors and/or local subsidiaries. Such manufacturers increasingly also offer their goods and products directly through own webshop solutions, including extended customisation options to international customers.

One of the reasons for offering these selling channels is, aside of economic reasons, the connectivity of this source to digitalised supply chains, a step towards automated procurement. Not every manufacturer is aware however, of all the specifics of international online trade and the relevance of different jurisdictions, whether regulatory (f.ex. data Protection, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), export control), contractual (f.ex. retention of title) or reg. liability (punitive damages, secondary warning duties, etc.).

The objective of the session is to demonstrate what opportunities lay ahead, but also touch on the scope of the required preparation and present some of the crucial pitfalls to be avoided.