A guide to foreign trade gift-giving (above): the shocking minefield of cross-border gift-giving!

Release Date:2025-03-06

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Foreign trade people! The new journey of 2025 has begun, and we are busy again on the international business stage. In international trade, a small gift that is just right is like a magic wand, which can instantly bring you closer to your customers and take the cooperation relationship to a higher level. However, the cultural customs of each country are very different, and there are many things to pay attention to when giving gifts. If you accidentally give the wrong gift, it will be a big trouble! Today, let's talk about the things about foreign trade gift giving, help you avoid pitfalls cleverly, and give gifts that satisfy your customers.

Let's start with the key points. There are three major minefields in cross-border gift giving. If you step on them, you may lose all the orders you have! When giving gifts to Indian customers, be sure to avoid cowhide products, because in the hearts of Hindus, cows are the mounts of Lord Shiva and are sacred and inviolable; Japanese customers are very taboo about combs. In Japanese, "comb" and "bitter" have the same pronunciation, so giving them can easily cause misunderstandings; Muslim customers cannot be given alcohol, as Islam strictly prohibits drinking alcohol and all intoxicating substances.

There are also Brazilian customers who think that sending handkerchiefs will cause quarrels; Saudi customers cannot give gifts to their wives, as it is an invasion of privacy; Russian customers hate receiving money, as it feels like being insulted by charity. For British customers, white lilies symbolize death, and expensive gifts may be considered bribes; German customers do not like roses, which are only for lovers, and the number of flowers should not exceed ten; French customers are very taboo about walnuts, yellow flowers, chrysanthemums, and azaleas, and giving perfume to female customers is a taboo; Australian customers are disgusted by the number "13"; American customers avoid gifts wrapped in black paper.

You must remember these minefields! This issue will help you avoid these pitfalls. In the next issue, we will listen to the real complaints of foreigners and see why foreigners don’t buy those things you think are the “glory of domestic products”. There is something more exciting. In the last issue, we will give you a list of universal souvenirs for foreign trade people that you can’t go wrong with. It is absolutely full of practical information. Remember to follow me and don’t miss the follow-up content. What minefields have you stepped on during the gift-giving process? Share them in the comment area and let’s exchange mine-avoiding experiences together!

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