Importing goods from china what are the costs?

Jon123

Free Member
Jan 28, 2006
204
10
You will pay Vat on that so - 1750
You might have to pay duty on your goods so you will have to give customs a call.Can vary from nothing to about 20% (Highest duty i have heard off)
Total customs clearence fees etc - 300
Road freight which is about 600 - for 200 miles
If your container gets searched (xrayed) and extra 43 quid
If your container stays longer than the free period you will pay demorage charges which are very expensive.

Jon
 
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KateCB

Free Member
May 11, 2006
2,273
539
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Depends on the goods - you may not have to pay the VAT on all the goods if there are items that are considered zero rated, i.e. kids wear under 156cm.....If you forwarder is aware of this (YOU will have to tell them) and are on the ball they will do the split for you.

As Jon says the import duty varies with the code applied, your C&E office can tell you what the code and the rate is, but be warned - the rates change...... I got stung with that 2 years ago - the GSP from China in 2004 was ZERO, i.e. No Import duty - I placed an order with my supplier in November 2004 for delivery in January 2005 - when it arrived customs had removed the GSP and slapped a whopping 12.5% import duty on! boy, were my sums wrong that time!

Ring customs anyway, as depending on what you are importing, you may need an import licence , its free, but you have to apply everytime once you recieve your shipping docs from your supplier and it takes around 7 days to get to you; then you have to get it to your forwarder!

Good lukc - I have been doing this for 6 years, and still get the jitters each time a shipment is due in!

regards

kate
http://www.martialdesign.co.uk
 
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Jon123

Free Member
Jan 28, 2006
204
10
Nice to know im not the only one that gets a bit nervous when a container comes in!! i got a 40 foot that arrived yesterday and its been pulled in for xray! 3rd time in 3 containers! Apparently im very unlucky!
How mnay containers do you bring a year? any good bad experiences? any tips as i am quite new to this.
Cheers
Jon
 
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Have a good lessen today-_-
I am exporter in China.......Especially for garments ......
Have some questions about the prices of suits ,shirts ,T-shirts ?
Then I can compare with the export price between U.S.A & other countries.
And what price can you sell in UK?
Is the Chinese productions good-sold in UK?
What Chinese Productions are popular?
 
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I am going to start to import goods from china. the goods will be furniture items and some other goods for example smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire blankets and fire extingushiers.. I now i will have to pay VAT but im not sure where i need to look to find out what the duty will be.

Does any one know any website where it clearly defines what the duty will be on a certain item. This way i will be able to cost the goods properly for sael in the UK.

Thanks
 
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I import items from China but maybe not in the quantities some of you guys do, i started a couple of months ago from stratch and it is very daunting at fisrt. To answer Samiuk's question i went to the Custom and Excise website to gain advice fisrt. Firstly you need to obtain the Taric code for each item you intend to bring in as each item may have a different import tax amount. They provide a phone line to seek these items but if i remember rightly you only get 3 items codes for free then you have to pay per item to get the code.
Once you have the codes there is another number you can ring to get the import duty rates for those items. Then factor in your 17% VAT and shipping cost and as they say Bobs your uncle.
This maybe a little simplistic for what you need as i only import carbon fibre parts (3.5% Duty) and not by the container load but i hope it helps
 
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ALLAROUNDTHEWORLD

Free Member
Jan 25, 2009
5
0
Hi. I'm thinking of going into importing good's from China to the UK, but i find it hard to get any information on the tax rules and regulations or declarations.
So much info on the net, but not all relavent.
Just dont know the rules of freight and tax. I have a friend in China, but he only understands the rules for China, but not for the UK. Could anyone fill me in on this, Would be most greatful. Thanx.
 
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paulcan44

Free Member
Nov 6, 2008
17
6
Hi, I have my 3rd lcl (small) load arriving from China tomorrow and I still get nervous every time!

I am importing 6 tonnes of stone and can give you a breakdown of my costs.
NO import Duty.
VAT charged at 15% (can reclaim that)
Custom clearance charges at roughly £185 per load
Port handling £55 per tonne/1cubic metre
NEW CHARGE I-CAF £10 per tonne (new charge due to wild currency changes)
Freight rates are best handled on the day and all depends on cbm/tonnage. The more you have the cheaper it gets but 6 tonnes to travel 300mile is costing £350. It would be a lot more if you had less.

I can put you in touch with a trustworthy custom clearance/forwarder who I have used for 6 years and stand by them totally. They will help you understand and can tell you anything you want to know - be wary, there are a lot of scams out there now as everyone is struggling to make a profit and have heard some scary stories especially with regard to papers being delayed and the goods having to stay in MASSIVELY expensive storage (you get 7 days free storage once it devanns usually).
 
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ALLAROUNDTHEWORLD

Free Member
Jan 25, 2009
5
0
Hello. I am at the beginning of my venture into import and export and i find the idea very exiting. Just one thing is that i have no idea wher to go to get the market research as to what kind of good's the british public want from China. Would be interesting to know what kind's of good's people on this site are importing from China to get me started.
Thanx.
 
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DIY Accounting

Free Member
Oct 4, 2007
702
129
Leeds
Your last 2 posts do indicate a lack of experience and as a novice you will experience some shocks and disappointments.

I think you should contact Business Link, arrange to meet their business advisors and gain as much knowledge as possible.
You will also need expert contacts and by asking specific questions in the forum I would expect you will form a relationship with some.

Retailers buy from wholesalers and impoters.
Most have warehouses and catalogues
 
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Chris Ashdown

Free Member
  • Dec 7, 2003
    13,399
    3,011
    Norfolk
    I am going to start to import goods from china. the goods will be furniture items and some other goods for example smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire blankets and fire extingushiers.. I now i will have to pay VAT but im not sure where i need to look to find out what the duty will be.

    Does any one know any website where it clearly defines what the duty will be on a certain item. This way i will be able to cost the goods properly for sael in the UK.

    Thanks


    Do check that they meet UK and EU specs with trading standards as it does not matter what the exporter says they conform to, if they dont its your bill, and you will find it hard to claim from the exporter

    Also I imagine you would need good insurance to protect you if sy the fire alarms failed and someone lost their house and claimed off you
     
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    C

    china works

    We've been helping UK companies import goods from China for the past few years, so would be happy to provide any advice on the sorts of goods that work, as well as some of the costs involved (type China Works into Google)

    Obviously with the pound getting so weak it has become much more difficult to realise cost savings, although on the plus side shipping rates have more than halved in the past couple of months and raw materials have stopped jumping in price.
     
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    Foremost

    Free Member
    Feb 26, 2009
    5
    0
    Herts, UK
    One thing to consider that's often overlooked is the currency side of things. Usually goods from China will have to be paid for in US Dollars, and currency fluctuations and of course the appalling rates offered by banks can have a big impact.

    I help many business's pay for their goods imported from China getting them preferential rates on USD. Feel free to get in touch and I'll be happy to explain how I can help make it cheaper!
     
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    KidsBeeHappy

    Free Member
    Oct 9, 2007
    7,371
    1,573
    Sunny Troon
    FX Movements!

    Your £10,000 will probably be based on a US$ price, and this price will change with exchange rates, you will no doubt bear the risk of the FX change rather than the supplier.

    If you are looking to do this in bigger values, or regularly, you may wish to book currency with your bank, so that way you are insulated from FC movements.
     
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    V

    Virtually9-5

    Another thing to be careful of is that most Chinese companies require payment in advance so you have to factor in the fee to transfer the funds via the bank. one of my suppliers requested western union and thank heavens they were legit as payment was sent for collection however I chose to put on my credit card as I thought it would be safer than deposit if cloned etc. However western union shows as cash rather than purchase and there is no way around this so you end up paying higher interest rate.

    Sam
     
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    haseelin

    Free Member
    Apr 19, 2008
    7
    1
    china
    If I was to import goods from China lets say £10,000 worth. Except the shipping costs what other fees would I need to pay and what would it cost?

    we are a exporter in china with long experience,but i donnot know whether we have the same business region,as a foreign trader ,there are have three important terms ,one is price term ,second is payterm term,the left is product quility.
    if the price term is FOB,you should pay shipping costs add with some your agent charge, if no like CIF ,you donnot pay shipping costs,the goods price is already contained,you just pay clearance custom fee.and then about payterm term,generally speak .there are have two items to choice, one is by L/C other is by tt ,so you could pay by tt,or do it by L/C,about your domestic vat ,if you want to pay low tax,you could pay twice times,one by western union ,left by tt.this will save your some money on vat in uk
     
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    Bvt

    Free Member
    Aug 5, 2009
    11
    1
    dongguan,china
    Hi

    if you wanna import some from china,the cost must deponds what's products.

    and waht trade term.

    if is FOB term, you will be pay shipping charge, clear custom in your country, and the truck fee this is main charge .

    also I'm in china , if there have any question just free contact us.
     
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    S

    Steve Smyth

    I have recently been importing from China as Europe has become to expensive. My supplier invoices me in Dollars, the exchange rate has killed me. I started using a company called Rational Fx. Only used them a couple of times but they have been really helpful. Currency rate Always something to consider when importing. Another Freight company I use is Atlantic Freight. Please seel free to PM if you have any questions.

    Good luck!
     
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    Have a good lessen today-_-
    I am exporter in China.......Especially for garments ......
    Have some questions about the prices of suits ,shirts ,T-shirts ?
    Then I can compare with the export price between U.S.A & other countries.
    And what price can you sell in UK?
    Is the Chinese productions good-sold in UK?
    What Chinese Productions are popular?
    I'm writing to you in regards to exporting garments from China to England. I'm in the process of setting up a clothing company designing t shirts and tops. I have the designer working on designs now and I also have various clients here in England interested in the product should they like the designs obviously. What I am doing right now and I'm hoping you can help me with is looking into the costs involved in exporting such products from China. What I need is information on getting products out of China and any hidden pit falls that I may come across.
    To give you an idea of my situation I'm looking at pitching to various high end shops here in England with a basic 4-5 samples and then placing orders as and when they come in. This means we could e looking at small orders or large orders depending on demand. I'm quite confident as the designer is fairly well established and has already done work for A list Djs such as Joey Negro and bands such as Kasabian.
    I've never done anything like thi before but after spending 2 years in Beijing I thought the opportunity was there to manufacture goods in China for sale in England. If you think you can help then please contact me

    Best Regards

    John Riley
     
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    i do wholesale of some bags and clothes from china auction site www taobao com
    via a taobao shopping agent www taobaobuying com once a month,each parcel weight in average is around 8KG.

    the agent provided me a step by step service,include shipping to UK,i always send package to uk by ems,coz i could get 50% off shipping cost through them.there had no problems for customs in uk,maybe my parcel is small.

    china goods(i ve only bought cliothes,bags and shoes)is in good conditions.
    but prices are much lower there because of the cheaper labor i think.
     
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    You have also got to take into account the cost on currency transfers. If you price your goods up at a currency rate of 1.67 usd and at the time you only get 1.63 you get less profit on your goods. That is why you need a good currency trader to get you out at the right time and at the best possible rate of exchange. Anything above 1.67 would be more profit to you
     
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    Wavecrest Ltd

    Free Member
    Oct 31, 2007
    780
    138
    Kent
    If you need assistance/advice regarding importing from China, please let me know the details of your requirements in a PM (e.g. type of goods, weight and volume of the shipment, port of origin, destination in UK) and I will be able to help.

    My company has handled shipments for a number of fellow UKBF members.

    Best regards,
    Glen
     
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    Simmo200

    Free Member
    Jan 22, 2010
    7
    0
    It's not an easy game importing.

    I import furniture, the shipping rates have flown up in the last year. Many companies already have big suppliers. Beware, China is not always the key to riches.

    If you can retail the items your self then yes you have a good chance. But supplying due to the recession is becoming harder.
     
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    Hi, I'm thinking about starting a very small business importing kids clothes from china to sell on ebay. I'm not talking huge amounts of containers .. just a work from home bit of money on the side .. say £200/£300 a month profit. A friend has recommended alibaba.com for suppliers ... I'm just not sure about import tax, licenses, shipping charges, customs etc? For such a small shipment .. maybe once a month max is this necessary?
    Thanks fro your help!:)
     
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