Exporting from the UK into China - please advice

[alberlara]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here so I hope someone is able to help.

My current work has recently taken me to Chongqing (mainland) in China a couple of times. It has been quite an interesting experience as I have had to close some big deals for my company but most importantly I have come back realizing that there is a huge business opportunity there. The thing is that it involves exporting from the UK to China and I am not sure how to start.

In Chongqing I already have a good contact. The business manager of my current company who already knows the people to which we can sell and who confirms we can make some money. We also have the product.

But I have some other questions:

- I know I need a freight forwarder but do I need door-to-door service? Or maybe just to the closes port there and then ask my contact to arrange shipping to the final destination? I assume to keep shipping costs down sea freighting works out cheaper than air freighting in all circumstances, am I right?

- Can someone advice on a trustworthy freight forwarder? I guess distance doesn't matter much but just for the record I am based in Nottingham.

- Do I need an import license? This is something my colleague was looking into but may be someone can tell me straight away.

- And lastly how does Customs work there? Do they contact you when they receive the shipment and then you pay? Or someone has to personally go there? Or …?

If someone can shed some light it would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Lara

 

[Import Expert]

Hi Lara,

Usually cheapest option is door to door service. There are many within the UK such as ourselves. Personally I would just ensure they have their own service and are not co-loading (piggybacking) on another freight forwarders service as this can increase the cost and you lose an element of control.

Most products will not require an import licence but you would be best to check locally, or ask your forwarder to do so if you know what type of product you are going to export.

Customs over there work similarly to in the UK. Goods will be customs cleared by your freight forwarder on arrival. Import taxes will then be charged to the consignee and will usually need to be paid prior to delivery in China.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,
Darren.

 

[MOIC]

A few things to know before you start

1. You NEED an import licence to bring ANY product into China

2. Every province requires a different licence.

3. Before allowing an importation, the government will require samples to ensure safety standards and government guidelines for the product are met. (especially any food and baby related products)

4. If it is connected with food, there is a huge amount of paperwork, guidelines, licences, import duty, taxes, special labelling etc etc which must be looked into first.

5. Apart from the need to have a licence to import your products, you will also need a licence to allow you to sell in China.

Its a very complex system and cannot be done by a sole trader outside of China.

If you require any information, please PM me.

Best of luck.

Ron

 

[kayenta]

Hello Alberlara

I think Ron & Darren have answered your two main questions so i will answer the another one

We are at at the other end of the A52 in Derby so only 20 minutes away from you in Nottingham.

With you being new to export you may prefer to work through a freight forwarder who is local to you then we would be pleased to help also we have a parter office in chongqing
If you want more information about us then please PM me

regards
Richard