The moment companies struggle with unpaid invoices abroad, they can turn to BVCM Antilia. The Curaçao-based agency focuses on both the Dutch market and the Caribbean and also strives to serve the North and South American markets even better.
International debt collection
Before doing business internationally, it is important to research the financial position of this organization or person, the laws and regulations in the country where the organization is located and the cultural customs there.
It is often thought that a collection must take place in the country where the debt is outstanding, however, this is not the case. In fact, collection agencies outside the country in question are also able to collect. In essence, the amicable collection process for an international claim is the same as for a claim in the Netherlands. However, there are a number of things to consider when entering into an international cooperation to avoid any difficulties:
- Laying down payment agreements and delivery terms: it can be enormously time-saving to lay down in advance the agreements, regarding payment and delivery, in a signed agreement. This also describes what happens if the buyer (read debtor) fails to pay. Make sure that the terms and conditions are also offered in several (foreign) languages, so that a debtor cannot argue that he/she did not understand the terms and conditions properly;
- Use the debtor's main language: the effectiveness of telephone or written approaches is many times higher when communicated in the debtor's main language, especially when the debtor is addressed by a native speaker;
- Collection agency that is affiliated with international collection networks: should it come to an (amicable) collection process, it is wise to offer the claim to a collection agency. This organization has a huge network in which more than one hundred offices spread over ninety countries are affiliated.
BVCM Antilia
BVCM Antilia is located in Curaçao. Among other things, the firm is engaged in debtor management in the Netherlands and is also called in to collect debts in Curaçao, North and South America and other parts of the Caribbean. BVCM Antilia is also affiliated with various international collection networks.
For an international collection process it is important to bridge cultural differences and differences in laws and regulations. BVCM Antilia employs native speakers who speak Papiamento, Spanish and English as well as Dutch. They have a feel for the regional culture and are therefore ideally suited for the successful execution of an international debt collection process. On Curacao, for example, the debt collection process works slightly differently than in the Netherlands. People there receive no minimum wage or debt assistance, so collecting a large sum of money is simply not possible. For this reason, debt collection is carried out in a socially and socially responsible manner.
The international collection process is virtually the same as in the Netherlands. Initially, an attempt is made to collect the debt by means of an amicable collection process. If success is not forthcoming, a judicial process will be initiated. Local legal procedures are always different than we are used to in the Netherlands. Prior to this process, the feasibility and additional costs are estimated. BVCM Antilia is affiliated with various extensive and high-quality collection networks. These networks not only assist in getting outstanding debts paid, but can also advise on possible future defaults.
Want to know more about this topic? Or perhaps you would like advice on international debt collection and/or using a debt collection agency? If so, please feel free to contact us.
