The Wholesale Forums

[Meeko]

Hi guys,
I've been researching this topic a fair ammount although I'm still yet to fill in the dots. I got the general idea but theres gaps in my knowledge that I'm hoping you can fill? I just need a bit of guidance with the order of processes of importing. After placing an order with a supplier and paying shipping do they tell me what port they are going to deliver my goods at? Then I contact the customs office at that port to let them know I'll have somthing coming in? Then once I know the date of delivery do I arrange for DHL or somone to pick it up at the destination port? I know the various bits and pieces its just all jumbled up... Paying VAT, Customs & Duty... how do I pay that do I do it over the phone with them? Who fills in which forms and where do you send them to I guess is the bit thats confusing me. Does anyone have a link to a really basic newbie guide?

Hope someone can help.

Kind regards,

Mike.

[PT]

What sort of quantity/ weight are you ordering?

If your products are quite heavy or your shipping in large quantities. Sea freight would be recommended. This method will save you a lot of money, but take a lot longer. If your order is being sent by sea freight, then you'll need to arrange allot more yourself. This isn't an area I'm familiar with, so others should be able to help you out there.

However, the goods may be sent by air freight, in which case I cannot see any reason why they can't be sent by somebody like DHL or FedEx. Who will deliver right to your door. The freight forwarder will cover the VAT and import duties and you'll receive a bill at a later date. This is by far the easiest method, but it may be necessary to send the goods by sea freight.

Really, your suppliers are the people to talk to. They should be able to help you sort something out.

[Meeko]

Hi PT Games,
Thanks for the reply. What about declaring the commodity code and things will DHL do that for you? I thought it all had to be paper work up front? I'm thinking of a small order first of around 10 unbranded backpacks. I guess I will need to find the weight out from the supplier and also the size of container they put it in? With their shipping policy they will pay up untill the goods are on the aeroplane/ boat then its over to me from there... Thats the part where I'm getting stuck I think... how do you middle man the delivery or do you get your supplier to use DHL so they can trace the whole order from start to finish. Say if I was importing from china and they used some 3rd party company I have never heard of how will I know where they are sending the goods? Will i need to find out the expected date of arrival and things and forward that on to my courier of choice? Arghhh the more I think about it the more loose ends I keep coming up with. I'm usually a quick learner once I've done somthing once... I'ts just breaking the ice so I can see it in action and see how it works. I dont want to place an order then for my goods to be left at an airport for weeks while I'm scurrying around trying to get someone to pick them up and trace my order clocking up huge charges. Hope im making a bit of sense?

[greedyboy]

If you are bringing in the goods via boat you can specify the port nearest you for delivery. Get the weight/size and call a few freight forwarders to do the rest and clear the goods in the UK and even deliver the shipment to any UK address.

As soon as the goods are shipped/loaded you will get a B/L and from that info a UK Freight Forwarder can do the rest (for a fee).

If you are bringing in the goods by air you have two 2 choices:

1) Depending on the weight/size, ask the supplier to ship the goods door-to-door (express) and charge you the shipping

2) If this option is too expensive, ask the supplier to ship the goods by air (air) and charge you the shipping. Once you get the AWB you can pass this information on to a UK Freight Forwarder who can then take over and clear/deliver the goods (for a fee).

Ultimately you want 3 prices, sea, air and express.

If you give me an idea of what you are bringing in and the quantity I can advise you better.

EDIT: I just read what you are bringing in to the UK DOH! Ask the supplier to ship the samples Express and charge you for it. They will use TNT/DHL/UPS etc who in-turn will take care of customs etc and charge you accordingly.

[Meeko]

Hi Greedyboy,
By freight forwarders im assuming you mean DHL, FEDEX... ect. Forgive my incompetance but what is a B/L? I'm guessing its some form of documentation? So I barely need to do anything when importing apart from pay my way? I thought I would have to fill in loads of forms and look up the commodity codes and things. Will FEDEX do this for me if I tell them what the product is?

Thanks for the help guys

Mike.

[greedyboy]

As you are a novice (no offence), it isn't worth confusing you with all the other options for the time being.

For what you are bringing in there is only one option - Express. Just ask the suppliers to arrange shipping and add it to your invoice. The courier will do everything for you.

[Meeko]

Whats AWB an abbrieviation of? What are some of the other options for future reference? Once I've got thise noted down I'll be sorted because I can keep referring back to it.

Regards,

Mike.

[greedyboy]

AWB is Air Way Bill. Believe me you do not want to worry about this stuff or the time being. You can just learn it as you go along.

Your shipping by express for 10 items should be no more than $50. Even if you were bringing in 100pcs, Express will still be your best option.

[Meeko]

Ok greedyboy I shall see how that goes. Thanks for your time!

[360live]

If you are importing goods over value of £36 i suggest you obtain a 'PSUEDO TURN' number - this is a temporary VAT number. It only takes about a week to set up. Google it and it will point you in the direction of the Inland Revenue. Also, you can obtain the 'tariff code' for you items from IR - again google it - to ensure that you pay the correct amount. Do not risk putting items down as 'gift' and low value on customs label, especially if through FEDEX.