Any decent but cheaper UK Custom clearance and forwarding agencies?

[dontlike2pay]

Hi

Im looking for a company that does Custom Clearance and Forwarding in the UK. I searched on google and there were just too many agencies available but I dont know which is good and cheaper!!

Has anyone used any that you'd like to recommand?

Thanks

 

[KWilding]

Hi dontlike2pay,

Cheaper does not always translate to better, as the intitial costs
may look cheaper, but if they are not properly skilled in the service
they are providing , then you could find delays in goods clearing
customs through no fault of your own, incorrect duty rates paid on your
products, potential storage costs and other issues.

I would have a look at the BIFA (British Int'l Freight Association) web site
and select 5 / 6 different companies and obtain quotes for the services you require.

How they respond to your enquiry and the level of detail provided should give you
an indication as to how they may deal with your customs clearances and deliveries.

Kevin

 

[dontlike2pay]

Hi Kev

Thanks for your tips. I will take a look BIFA website and get a few quotes.

Now there is one more question:
My supplier is able to offer me a door-to-door solution. I pay freighter and delivery to carrier (like DHL UPS), import tax and vat directly to Custom.
I am wondering by your experiences, is door-to-door solution always the expensive option? or sometimes it is cheaper as carrier are professionally dealing my goods and speedyly clear custom for me? and there wont be any storage cost occurring?

Thanks

 

[KWilding]

Hi dontlike2pay,

To answer your question properly, would need to know the method of shipping.

Courier
Airfreight
Seafreight.

Please let me know and will advise.

Kevin

 

[dontlike2pay]

HI Kevin

Door-to-door can be down by Seafreight or Airfreight. But for this case, could you just assuming based on Seafreight?

Thanks

 

[KWilding]

Hi Dontlike2pay,

In that case, would ask shipper to provide door to door cost.

I can then give you details of current market rates based on FOB to door
and you can compare like for like.

In my experience, the shipper will get cost from UK agent and then add their
own margin, this will work out more expensive in my experience than FOB.

For each option you will only need to add Duty & VAT payable to customs.

Let me know when you have door to door cost and FOB cost from you supplier.

Kevin

 

[dontlike2pay]

HI Kev

I got the Door2door price and FOB price. However, there is no quote in insurance. Its only 1cbm goods and goods value are very low. what you recon if i should also take an insurance?

Also, the supplier told me that they can lower the goods value when filling all those shipping forms so I can save on Duty & VAT. I am not VAT registered, what you'd suggest to do regarding on my supplier's suggestion? Should I go with lower than exactual value or declare it as it is?

Thanks

 

[KWilding]

Hi Dontlike2pay,

Marine cargo insurance on LCL shipments from china will be minimal.

Would always recommend taking this out as LCL cargo is handled multiple times and is at greater risk of damage.

If you let me know cargo value, can give you guide line on insurance figure.

Do NOT allow shipper to reduce value of cargo as this is the same as defrauding customs of potential Duty & VAT and is illegal.

Kevin

 

[dontlike2pay]

Kev

Its about £1100

 

[KWilding]

Hi Dontlike2pay,

Insurance will be GBp 25 to GBP 30.

Where in China is your shipment from and can then give comparison costs
for this.

Kevin

 

[WaterCoolersDirect]

Hi,

A good contact that we have used for several years is Paul Frost of Active Cargo. He can be contacted on 01702 549 158

Good Luck

Fred Cairns Palmer

 

[fazz]

its best to do your research when finding a good agent, and do not go for the cheapest, even though your goods are valued at only £1100, you could easily pay about £200 more in costs and charges depending on which agent you use

 

[H22SolutionsLtd]

We use Park Logistics, also based in Nottingham. They arrange freight forwarding, clearance through customs, payment of duty/VAT, inland freight into storage, bonded warehousing (where applicable) storage and distribution to our customers.

www.parklogistics.co.uk, speak to Rodger!

 

[Amethyst]

Hi, dontlike2pay,

Just some thoughts for your information.

1. what methods to use for shipment mainly depends on the quantity(size&weight related too), value and time. If you just ship a small quantity also it is valuable, better to ship by UPS, DHL and so on. If you ship big volumes, better to ship by sea as long as time is not an issue for you.

2. suppose you ship big volume by sea. my experience is better to find a local agent in your area to arrange international shipment and customs issue for you, total cost is normally cheaper than shipper's arrangement of shipment, reasons are as Kevin said above. If you want to sit home to receive goods, just ask your local agent to do door2door delivery then.

3. it is not right, but it is possible for your supplier to invoice less but reasonaleb value of your imports, so you can pay less customs cost at the import port(duty and VAT or other tax). Just make sure it is reasonable. if not, you may be fined.

 

[dontlike2pay]

Hi Kevin,

ITs from ShangHai to flexstow. then forward to me in manchester

THanks

 

[fazz]

if you are sending by sea in part container make sure its on fob terms

 

[dontlike2pay]

Hi, dontlike2pay,

2. suppose you ship big volume by sea. my experience is better to find a local agent in your area to arrange international shipment and customs issue for you, total cost is normally cheaper than shipper's arrangement of shipment, reasons are as Kevin said above. If you want to sit home to receive goods, just ask your local agent to do door2door delivery then.

3. it is not right, but it is possible for your supplier to invoice less but reasonaleb value of your imports, so you can pay less customs cost at the import port(duty and VAT or other tax). Just make sure it is reasonable. if not, you may be fined.

Thanks for your reply. Yes I am aware of the lower the value goods and the value has to be reasonable.

It just that I wanna find out if there is any impact on my commercial tax? Im not VAT registered, so im not paying VAT on goods i sold to customers. For my understanding, it may be a good way to reduce my cost in a big picture.
However, one day when i am VAT registered, lowering the goods value is not wise, as I will be taxed more on VAT for goods i sold to customers.

Am I right?

Thanks

 

[dontlike2pay]

if you are sending by sea in part container make sure its on fob terms

Hi Fuzz

Why is it so important to put on FOB term for PART CONTAINER shipping? What differences will make? (i think to do with total money i pay at the end?)

thanks

 

[fazz]

hi dontlike2pay

the difference is that many companies will offer a discounted or even free pre paid service, however once your goods land at port you will usually have to pay very high charges for release

there is even one example that i know off where someone was being charged £1000 per cm

for part container loads always ask for shipping terms to be FOB

 

[KWilding]

Hi dontlike2pay,

Typical shipping costs from Shanghai for 1 Cbm are as follows :

Seafreight : USD 55

Port Infrastructure Charge : GBP 1.50
Security Charge : GBP 3.50
Presentation : GBP 16.50
LCL Terminal Handling : GBP 52.00

Delivery to Manchester : GBP 70 - GBP 80

Customs Entry : GBP 40.00
DTI Fee : GBP 4.10
Deferment Fee : GBP 20.00
Import Service Fee : GBP 20.00

Kevin

 

[little princess]

hi dontlike2pay

the difference is that many companies will offer a discounted or even free pre paid service, however once your goods land at port you will usually have to pay very high charges for release

there is even one example that i know off where someone was being charged £1000 per cm

for part container loads always ask for shipping terms to be FOB

Actually, it is the same. if you pay little at the origin port, you should pay more at the destination port. And if you wish prepay all the charge, the amount will be the same as the former.Because the devanning fee for LCL at destination is always there.
You can ask your shipper to confirm the total cost before shipping(include the destination port cost).

I work as a freight forwarder in China.
If you need any help or service for your goods shipping from China, you can contact me for that.
See What we can do additionally for you
1. Check order number and follow up the delivery time with your manufacturer.
2. Pick up goods and arrange shipping schedule as per your request.
3. Professionally check documents for customs clearance.

4. Other destination service by our network at your side. (Customs clearance, delivery, etc.)

Amy Y&H CARGO
MSN: [email protected]
EMAIL:[email protected]
skype: dhj000228

Mobile:+0086 13989476598
tel: +0086 571-56859806

 

[Amethyst]

Hi, dontlike2pay,

VAT or customs duty or other taxes have to be charged on all imported product unless they are exempted items. If you are not VAT registered, it means you can't claim VAT back, this also means, the more VAT you pay on purchase, the less profit you get at same sales prices. In the situation you claim VAT back in future, the more VAT you pay, it means higher sales prices when profit is fixed...

For shipping cost prepaid or freight collect, I would suggest you do two things:

1. ask your shipper or yourself find an agent in Shanghai to find out the door-to-door service cost for the shipment;
2. find an agent in Uk to check the cost for the same;

you then compare and you will find out somthing interesting in the end.you may not do this now, but you can do this later for the benefit of your future business.

Good luck.

 

[little princess]

yeah, I think you should try what Amethyst said.

 

[gaily82]

Hello I am also looking for a good reliable clearing agents I am shipping from Guangzhou to London ( clothing and accessories) do you have any companies for me please?

Thank you

 

[KWilding]

Hi Gaily 82.

I can help, i work for a freight forwarder in Felixstowe.

Drop me a personal message and will gladly help.

Kevin

 

[little princess]

Hello I am also looking for a good reliable clearing agents I am shipping from Guangzhou to London ( clothing and accessories) do you have any companies for me please?

Thank you

Hi, gaily
I'm a freight forwarder based in China.

I can handle your shipment from all China main ports to your destination.
see what we can do for you.

1. Design our best transportation solutions for your cargos according to your products location, volume, weight, transportation means, time schedule.

2. As your freight forwarder, business partner, we follow up your orders from China
Help you choose the right carrier and offer you the first-hand price to save cost for you.

3. Customs clearance for your consolidation cargos at China and at UK.

4. Door to door services and freight collect services available worldwide surported by powerful overseas network.

If you have any shipment, pls feel free to contact me for a quote and service,thanks.
Amy
Y&H CARGO
MSN: [email protected]
EMAIL:[email protected]
skype: dhj000228

Mobile:+0086 13989476598
tel: +0086 571-56859806