can someone post a importing tutorial please?

[William MacDonald Dodds]

I have been told by the EORI Policy Team that I don't even need an EORI number, never mind not needing a VAT number to import.
Do I only need a customs agent
Say I want to imoprt radios.
What issues do I have to deal with?
Is there a saint out there who can save my sanity from the madness of beaurocratic uber-complexity?

 

[Wholesale-Suppliers]

i am looking for it and I will post it for you as soon as possible

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

Oh thank you! I'm getting a grip on things and will also post my own mini-tutorial on it when I do do my first shipment, I mean I'd also like to contribute here and not feel like a total dolt! Great people on this website, so helpful and kind!
Thanks!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

You do not need a VAT number to import, but will have to pay all VAT for the goods to be released.

You do not need a customs agent or logistics company, but, if it is your first import, they will save you a lot of pain, delay and potential costs.

What sort of radios are you looking at? AM/FM, DAB, 2 way tranceivers - it makes a difference!

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

well only a difference in regards commodity code do you mean?
I am hoping to get a BTI on them in order to do DTI.
But then again I'm no longer certain what I need in order to do the DTI myself.

I think a registered UK trade adress, or an EORI. I've been told by the EORI team I don't even need an EORI but a customs agent has asked me for an eori. so I suppose yes I will apply for one.

I have heard though there is a maximum volume of imports allowed when I don't have a VAT number

 

[gzf1215]

Hehe, Guess getting an agent will be the easiest way if you don't want to be bothered by the madness of beaurocratic uber-complexity.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

well only a difference in regards commodity code do you mean?
Yes and no! Yes, there is a difference, no, becuase there are other issues, such as licenses and royalties

I am hoping to get a BTI on them in order to do DTI.
Why? Are they something new and unique?


I think a registered UK trade adress, or an EORI. I've been told by the EORI team I don't even need an EORI but a customs agent has asked me for an eori. so I suppose yes I will apply for one.
Apply for one and get the process out of the way.

I have heard though there is a maximum volume of imports allowed when I don't have a VAT number
That I am aware, you will be restricted by your trading levels reaching the VAT registration threshold, that's all!

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

how much exactly is that vat registration threshhold? I'm uncertain.
Well there's not so much something unique but that I want to have no risk of having it detained at customs I can't afford that would ruin me.
How long does it take to get a BTI if it is indeed a new unique item.
And what license do you mean? And in royalties, do you mean duty rates and VAT?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

how much exactly is that vat registration threshhold? I'm uncertain.
Check the HMRC website - about £70k

Well there's not so much something unique but that I want to have no risk of having it detained at customs I can't afford that would ruin me.
There are several reasons it could be detained, outside of duty, VAT etc.

How long does it take to get a BTI if it is indeed a new unique item.
Not sure, check with HMRC

And what license do you mean? And in royalties, do you mean duty rates and VAT?
No, technology licenses - nothing on a basic radio, but there may be on DAB

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

Well there's not so much something unique but that I want to have no risk of having it detained at customs I can't afford that would ruin me.
There are several reasons it could be detained, outside of duty, VAT etc.

Which reasons are those? I mean if I have the correct EORI, have the
DTI done commodity code and CPC being correct, what else can go wrong?

And what license do you mean? And in royalties, do you mean duty rates and VAT?
No, technology licenses - nothing on a basic radio, but there may be on DAB[/quote]

What is DAB? In South Africa one needs what they call an LOA, a letter of Authority for electrotechnical goods, and in order to get an LOA, I need an IEC safety test report of the product in question. Is this what you are referring to when considering DAB? Are you acquainted with IEC safety test reports' necessity in importing electronic goods?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Which reasons are those? I mean if I have the correct EORI, have the
DTI done commodity code and CPC being correct, what else can go wrong?
Does not meet technical approvals, is a copy, licenses/royalties etc.


And what license do you mean? And in royalties, do you mean duty rates and VAT?
No, technology licenses - nothing on a basic radio, but there may be on DAB[/quote]

What is DAB? In South Africa one needs what they call an LOA, a letter of Authority for electrotechnical goods, and in order to get an LOA, I need an IEC safety test report of the product in question. Is this what you are referring to when considering DAB? Are you acquainted with IEC safety test reports' necessity in importing electronic goods?
DAB = Digital Audio Broadcasting.

If you are not importing into the EU, this may be irrelevant, as different territories have different requirements, but they tend to be similar.

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

Which reasons are those? I mean if I have the correct EORI, have the
DTI done commodity code and CPC being correct, what else can go wrong?
Does not meet technical approvals, is a copy, licenses/royalties etc.

How does one get technical approval - in the case of importing goods in SA I know you need an IEc safety test report. What do you mean 'is a copy'? What licenses would I require other than a DTI license to import something?



And what license do you mean? And in royalties, do you mean duty rates and VAT?
No, technology licenses - nothing on a basic radio, but there may be on DAB

What is DAB? In South Africa one needs what they call an LOA, a letter of Authority for electrotechnical goods, and in order to get an LOA, I need an IEC safety test report of the product in question. Is this what you are referring to when considering DAB? Are you acquainted with IEC safety test reports' necessity in importing electronic goods?
DAB = Digital Audio Broadcasting.

If you are not importing into the EU, this may be irrelevant, as different territories have different requirements, but they tend to be similar.[/quote]

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

Well I also intend importing TV's. Who deals with those?
And vacuum cleaners next year but this year mostly tv's also.
Thanks for the info on DAB.

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

where do I aplpy for technology licenses on TV's?
Isn't a BTI a technology license?
I am waiting for a IEC safety report on the item(s) of import, also.
But I'm worried about this copy thing. I'm importing goods from OEMs in china (original equipment manufacturers). I'm worried customs will think its copies while its original equipment.
What do they base those decisions on if they think its intellectual piracy while in fact its original equipment, but want to 'crackdown' just because its from China - similar to Nike shoes being made in sweatshops in India - I don't suppose customs cracks down on Nikes coming from India do they, I mean - I can't afford an over-avid customs officer deciding to steal the show, ruin me financially and cause financial liabilities, I simply can't afford it - which indeed is why I am doing alms for customs assistance!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

First, you need to know what licensed technology is in your product - your supply should be able to update you on that.

In the UK, BTI is a Binding Tariff Indicator and relates to the commodity code for import.

OEM does not mean 'not a copy'. You need to ensure that the item does not infringe any design or technology IP.

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

well it comes from Korea but its shipped from a chinese trading company's offices, from whom I buy.
Place of origin is in fact Korea. Its some samsung tv's.
Its the real McCoy, my concern is just that because the trade company is chinese this may cause hassles / I am expecting the information on place of origin is in the documents provided because I have already annoyed the company liaison in China with my constant barrage of e-mails, so I'd rather keep my cool for now...

I just wonder how it is proved its in fact original and not infringement of IP, which it isn't.

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

My big concern though is about getting a VAT return.
I mean I'm importing under the vat registration limit of 70k like you said, which means I can't claim that VAT return.
But if I get a VAT number 3 months later,
can I go back and claim the VAT on a shipment that I made and paid VAT on prior to having a VAT number?
That is a lot of money for me, man!

 

[gzf1215]

well it comes from Korea but its shipped from a chinese trading company's offices, from whom I buy.
Place of origin is in fact Korea. Its some samsung tv's.
Its the real McCoy, my concern is just that because the trade company is chinese this may cause hassles / I am expecting the information on place of origin is in the documents provided because I have already annoyed the company liaison in China with my constant barrage of e-mails, so I'd rather keep my cool for now...

I just wonder how it is proved its in fact original and not infringement of IP, which it isn't.

I'd say the place of origin will 'China' or say 'made in China, authorized by Samsung' It shouldn't be a big deal, I guess your customers must have known things like this.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

The COO is Korea, regardless of where it transhps from.

If bringing into the UK, do not bother - you will end up being more expensive than retail!

Unless I am mistaken, you will not be able to claim that back, but, that is worth checking with an accountant.

Where are you importing this to? UK? SA?

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

what does COO stand for?
In south africa there is a brand of canned vegetables called KOO.
ha!
What does COO stand for, I don't quite understand what you mean?
My goods will be shipped from Shanghai.
I am actually being from an approved wholesale who buys vast quantities of stock and resells that to smaller traders - that's one of the ways samsung is capable of pushing its stock - selling to wholesalers, obviously, not just directly.
What is COO, certainly nothing to do with KOO!

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

COUNTRY of ORIGIN, Oh my I'm dumb.
But does that usually stand written in the documents somewhere, where is that usually noted in a document, regardless the trading / shipping company is in china?

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

I want to guarantee this shipment doesn' get hassles because if it does I will be financially ruined for the rest of my life.

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

I'm not shipping anywhere yet until I know I can be safely assured that there won't be hassles with any customs - simply because such problems could be devastating, something I am not willing to experience again.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Country Of Origin.

Ahh, you are buying from a distributer in Shanghai! If you ever see the products, they will be too expensive!!

My biggest advice in business - never invest more than you can afford to lose!

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

I'm beginning to dread this entire idea. But I'd still like to give it a try and at least reap marginal profits, its more in managing to do it and succeed than the profit. That's why I don't want there to be any risk involved. I suppose its more of an ego thing but it will be great for my self esteem to be able to say I've imported things to UK, you know.

I'm just wondering, freight forwarders, so they fetch stuff and clear customs and all, and take it to a warehouse - but is that the entire container on a truck - do they , the same company, also have the ability to deliver the goods to the tail end customer? Or do I have to hire another company who directly places the goods' boxes in smaller non-container carrying trucks?
I mean if that is the case (needing ANOTHER party) involved, then this may have been a foolish endeavor, but I'm still curious as to how it all works, I mean, its very interesting, don't you agree?

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

I still want to do it though, as long as there's profit involved I'll follow the glorious adage of a certain Richard Bransen: "Screw it, lets do it!"

 

[William MacDonald Dodds]

o GOD I just did the math this is not viable.
But as it is, I've discovered a new hobby - curiosity about importing technicalities into UK. I would never have thought I would find something like this interesting, but it definitely is amazingly so, agreed?

 

[cody44]

Try the below link. It has a simple area on how to break down the barriers. Hope it helps.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels....portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_Home


Mark