Importing from China - some help please

[Indivijewelistic]

A little help from those experienced in importing from China please. I am just getting started in the bead store business. I can import stock from China really cheaply, but it would be even cheaper if I could get it sent in by sea. My store is in Enfield, does anyone know:

1. The best port to import to?
2. How you pick up the imports?
3. If you can hire a company to pick it up for you and what the costs are?
4. What the import duties are?

Any other assitance would be most gratefully appreciated. Dealing with importing stock by sea is very new to me, but I am in a position to order in bulk now and it would really help to have this advice.

Thanks
Trish

 

[JackWilliam]

1. The best port to import to?
Normaly Felixstowe port is one thats common to be used for china imports

2. How you pick up the imports?
You can, but its not worth the hassle, use a frieght forward company

3. If you can hire a company to pick it up for you and what the costs are?
Google "Frieght Forwarding" and call a few up to get quotes. When i did a bit it was more cost effective for them to handle everything, and deliver direct to me. Some bigger ones even offer to pay all duties etc, and send you a bill once delivered... this gives you an extra 30 days to get the duty together... (Sell fast ;-) )

4. What the import duties are?
HMRC - look up Importing, tells you lots of info, the obviose on eis VAT, but some items are duty free, and most are classed as different rates... get the code for teh products your importing and look it up... again, I found a quick 5 min phone call to HMRC did the trick for me.


Hope ive helped.

 

[Indivijewelistic]

That is fantastic information and really helps me. Thank you very much, I was so in the dark.

I will get straight on and find a freight forwarding company to handle things for me and phone up for the rates.

Fantastic stuff
Regards,
Trish

 

[cafe-central]

Yep, all my goods come to Felixstowe and the forwarder will pick up from China and deliver to your door for the price.

I am finding that I pay a third of my goods value for delivery and tax so if I have £10,000 stock, I pay around £3,500 tax and delivery.

 

[kangke]

I do not know what is your product,some product need special document.for electronics parts which need CE certification,and chemical need REACH certification.you should pay more attention before you begin to importing.