U.S. sales representation
U.S. sales representation for foreign manufacturers
U.S. sales representation for foreign manufacturers that puts a representative in the U.S. time zone to find buyers, attend meetings and follow up, while orders and contracts stay with your company.
Commercial representation. AFI is not a law firm.
What your U.S. sales representative does
U.S. buyers expect a reply the same day, a call in their working hours and someone who can meet them. A sales team twelve hours away struggles to do all three.
Your AFI representative builds a target list with you, contacts buyers, sends samples and quotes you approve, attends buyer meetings and follows up until there is an order or a clear no. Every contact is logged and reported back to your team.
Pricing, contracts and invoicing stay with your company. We bring you qualified buyers and keep the conversation moving.
Independent U.S. sales representative or managed representation?
An independent U.S. sales representative usually works on commission and carries several product lines at once. That works well when your product fits a line they already sell and buyers already know you.
A new foreign brand rarely fits that model. Commission-only reps prioritise products that sell quickly, and few will take on a brand with no U.S. accounts yet. Managed representation is paid to open those first accounts and report on every step.
U.S. business development for foreign companies
Opening the first account is the start. U.S. business development for foreign companies continues after it: reorders, new product lines with the same buyer, and introductions to related buyers in the same channel.
We keep account history, buyer feedback and price objections in one report, so your team sees what U.S. buyers ask for and can adjust packaging, pricing or minimum orders.
If your product needs a stocking partner instead of direct accounts, see U.S. distributor search for manufacturers.
How it works
How U.S. sales representation starts
- Step 01
Consultation
We learn your product, your price position and which U.S. buyers you have already contacted.
- Step 02
Target list
We agree the buyer types, regions and first accounts to approach.
- Step 03
Outreach and meetings
We contact buyers, set meetings and attend them for you.
- Step 04
Reporting
You receive a written report on contacts, meetings, feedback and next steps.
Questions about u.S. sales representation
Do you work on commission?
Partly. Representation is on a monthly retainer, from $3,500 a month on the Growth tier, plus 3% on orders from accounts we open for their first 12 months. The retainer means your product gets focused time before the first order. See pricing.
Who signs contracts with U.S. buyers?
Your company does. We negotiate within limits you set and bring the terms back to you for approval.
Can you represent several of our product lines?
Yes, if they sell to the same type of buyer. Lines sold to unrelated buyers are usually better handled as separate target lists.
How often do you report?
On a schedule agreed at the start, with every contact, meeting and buyer response logged in writing.
Related services
Each service works on its own or as part of AFI's U.S. market representation services.
- U.S. market entry Market assessment, entry route and launch plan, then the work to carry it out.
- U.S. trademark registration Clearance search and USPTO filing through a licensed U.S. trademark attorney, managed by AFI.
- U.S. distributor search We identify, vet and approach U.S. distributors for your category.
- Trade show representation Meetings booked before the show, your booth staffed, and follow-up after.
- U.S. business representative A U.S. phone line, email and named contact for buyers and partners.
- For Chinese companies U.S. sales, distribution and contact for manufacturers based in China.
- Amazon market entry Brand Registry, U.S. listings and launch planning for brands entering Amazon.com.
- FDA U.S. Agent A U.S. Agent for foreign food, drug, device and cosmetic facilities registering with FDA.
- Texas registered agent Registered agent and registered office in Austin for Texas companies with owners abroad.
Book a consultation
Tell us what you make and what you need from u.S. sales representation. We reply by email within 24 hours to arrange a call.
- Phone
- +1-512-877-1986
- Office
- 9308 Swooping Bat Dr, Austin, TX 78744