Inporting From China

[Porky]

So, I source a manufacter in China to produce some specific designed binders, initial order value £2,500. Cheapest shipping by sea £1200 about 10 weeks to get here.

So when my package arrives in customs- what do I need as a uk Ltd business. Do I need some kind of inport license?

Anything else? I'm accepting quality control, manufacturer has good references and on a £2.5k order im prepared to chance it.

If anyonec that does this regular can pass on a few tips I would be very grateful - thanks

 

[Customs Geek]

You are unlikely to need an import licence for most goods.
Goods will need to be formally declared to customs. If the goods are coming sea freight you will need someone eg a customs agent/ broker to do this for you as specialist software is used. You will need to provide them with a commercial invoice , packing list and details of the commodity code along with your EORI number.
The process is much more complex than if you use a fast parcel courier.

Goods don’t physically go to customs but are held by the port authority until goods are cleared and duty and import VAT are paid. The customs agent can usually do this for you.

You should do all this long before the goods arrive as the container your goods come in will contain other people’s goods so they don’t want to be held up.


You can find out commodity codes , duty rates and any other requirements in the tariff schedule.
www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Even at this value, use a freight forwarder as they will take the stress out of it.

Make sure they tell you exactly what they are doing, so you can learn along the way.

One error or delay can rack up additional costs easily.

 

[TCH]

look for text like

'all charges at port of arrival for account of consignee'

if you see it then try to agree a price for each of

LCL charge
bunker adjustment factor
currency adjustment factor
terminal handling charge
pallet
China Import Service Fee

the last of these in particular is regarded as a bare-faced rip-off

 

[Porky]

Thanks guys - appreciate the feedback, very decent of you to take time out to reply - appreciated. Knowledge is power as they say

 

[DoolallyTap]

How many binders is this, what is the total weigh?
Have a few sent by air freight so you have stock quicker than 10 weeks.
Check out the air freight cost, by the time you have an agent and all their fees you may find it no more expensive.

 

[Porky]

How many binders is this, what is the total weigh?
Have a few sent by air freight so you have stock quicker than 10 weeks.
Check out the air freight cost, by the time you have an agent and all their fees you may find it no more expensive.

no idea yet but we are talking 250 A4 plastic binders, not thick plastic, one unit is 200g, stacked in a box guessing 4 x 4 Rows and 16 deep plus the cardboard outer packaging. So that's what just over 5kg ?

Wont i still have the same customs fiasco to deal with?

 

[MOIC]

@Porky

Get your EORI first, a simple process.

Ask your supplier to arrange a door to door delivery DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), you just pay the Import Duty & VAT. No other or things for you to do.

They can also arrange delivery DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), if you prefer that option, but some don't.

If you need further advice or assistance, feel free to send me a DM.

 

[DoolallyTap]

no idea yet but we are talking 250 A4 plastic binders, not thick plastic, one unit is 200g, stacked in a box guessing 4 x 4 Rows and 16 deep plus the cardboard outer packaging. So that's what just over 5kg ?

Wont i still have the same customs fiasco to deal with?

I regularly import by air freight cartons weighing between 12-18 kilos and they cost about $15 per kilo so why your sea fright cost is so high is odd. With sea freight at that cost you could find a cheaper UK supplier. If you want to cheat customs tell the supplier to list the carton value at less than £130.
UPS, Fedex and DHL will all charge the customs and other fees either before delivery or on delivery.

 

[DontAsk]

Ask your supplier to arrange a door to door delivery DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), you just pay the Import Duty & VAT. No other or things for you to do.

That's what I do. More often than not, Fedex never invoice me for the VAT.

They can also arrange delivery DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), if you prefer that option, but some don't.

My supplier offers it but with greatly extended delivery time.

 

[MOIC]

My supplier offers it but with greatly extended delivery time.

By air, it's usually 5-7 days DDU & 12-14 days DDP.

Sea, truck or train about the same.

 

[MOIC]

If you want to cheat customs tell the supplier to list the carton value at less than £130.

Naughty.

 

[AmazonGeek]

£1200 for sea freight is way over the odds considering the size of your order. What is the CBM?

 

[Vickyjin]

The most worry free way is to find a reliable freight forwarder in your own country, who will tell you all the necessary import information and act as your designated freight forwarder. They will help you directly contact their China office for one-stop service.

 

[Porky]

@Customs Geek

So i get a consigment import from China via UPS Duty Paid basis due to be delivered today Friday.

At 5.25 on Friday i get a call from UPS saying need to send me an email regarding shipment. I confirm my email address.

Email arrives and says..... refer to your consignment.... in order to comply with customs please provide...please provide the reason for import / Customs procedure code.

I think WTF is that, i look it up and it looks like as they are permenant imported goods its a straight forward case of code 40000000

I phone back on the number given at 5.45 and office closed at 5.30 and opens 8.30-5.30 mon-friday - its BH on Monday so its now Tuesday before i can reach them.

Do you just think this is a case of UPS delivery CBA and just fire off an email so they can get off home and not have to bother with it until after the BH? He could have asked me that over the phone. Annoying

 

[MOIC]

Strange.

We send literally hundreds of parcels a week, and our customers NEVER receive an email asking for reason for import!

if the shipment is a one-off, OK you have to live with it. If not get someone else (me?) to arrange the shipment. You'll get it delivered, Customs cleared, no questions asked.

Hope it arrives next week!

 

[Customs Geek]

@Customs Geek



Email arrives and says..... refer to your consignment.... in order to comply with customs please provide...please provide the reason for import / Customs procedure code.

I think WTF is that, i look it up and it looks like as they are permenant imported goods its a straight forward case of code 40000000

without knowing what’s on the consignment information it may not be clear that the goods are to be duty paid. They may be here for repair and return or being returned or any other number of reasons.

I phone back on the number given at 5.45 and office closed at 5.30 and opens 8.30-5.30 mon-friday - its BH on Monday so its now Tuesday before i can reach them.

I would email rather than wait to phone. There will almost certainly be working even if the call centre isn’t .

Do you just think this is a case of UPS delivery CBA and just fire off an email so they can get off home and not have to bother with it until after the BH? He could have asked me that over the phone. Annoying

Possibly they need something in writing. Whilst the courier companies don’t always follow the full procedures it’s a requirement written instructions from an importer.

 

[GraemeL]

Have you checked prices with binder manufacturers in the UK? Circa £4,000 for 250 plastic binders (and the risk with QC etc) is very very expensive. Unless of course they are really special ones with electric opening!