Just starting to look at importing

[I23sarah]

Hi


Hi

We are looking to start importing from China, and I,m sorry if this seems like a very naive question ( we are right at the beginning of our little trial) but what I just can seem to get a good understanding of is what happens to your stuff once it arrives in a UK port. I know you have to pay vat etc, but
1) how do you pay this
2) who or how to you get the parcel from the port to yr address or does it just get shipped to your door and you get a bill from customs that you pay later.

Also can anyone tell me approx how many items could you call a sample

Many thanks For any replies

 

[PowerForwarding]

If it's just a small parcel then the courier will handle everything for you and get it to your door paying customs then charges on your behalf.

If it's a larger shipment then you need to contact a freight forwarder such as ourselves in order to get a quote through to door who will again pay customs on your behalf. If it's a shipment too large for the couriers then you need to get FOB terms from the supplier to their closest port as this will work out much cheaper for you as you'll pay lower UK charges as opposed to if you allow the supplier to organize for you under C&F/CIF terms.

 

[Andy777]

There's another alternative - to do the paper work and arrange shipping by yourself. BUT if you're new to this, better use a freight forwarder, otherwise you'll run into huge storage fees @ port etc.

 

[GraemeL]

Also can anyone tell me approx how many items could you call a sample

Hello Sarah,

Your question could be exactly as you have written, or it could be that the real question is how many items can I import as samples that I am actually going to sell? So forgive me for any wrong inferences.

Chinese suppliers will provide documents that will say pretty much what you want them to say, because the risk is yours not theirs. Samples can have a full cost or a zero cost or anything in between.

On the other hand, HMRC have seen it all before.

Are you VAT registered? You will pay VAT on the import if you are registered or not, unless the items are samples and you use the different VAT rules. So if the samples are given to you free, then in theory you would not pay VAT. In practice, you should read this HMRC document about low value samples carefully

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ntent&id=HMCE_CL_000061&propertyType=document

Personally, I wouldn't take a risk. If your trial works, you will be working with HMRC for a long time and you will want them on your side.

G

 

[I23sarah]

Your question could be exactly as you have written, or it could be that the real question is how many items can I import as samples that I am actually going to sell? So forgive me for any wrong inferences.

Hi my question was exactly as I had written it. The plan was to import a few hundred items as a trial. However I did think that a sample of products is needed before such an order as there are so many horror stories out there and could these just be posted with no involvement of customs etc.

In answer to your question no my company is not vat registered. We work in the care industry and are vat exempt.


Thanks for your reply

Sarah

 

[lemuelmayers]

If you can handle it on your own all you need is to process the papers. The other option would be seek a help of a freight forwarder since they are knowledgeable when it comes to handling boxes for shipment.

 

[hemibag]

welcome to connect China...

 

[Liquidity1]

If it's just a small parcel then the courier will handle everything for you and get it to your door paying customs then charges on your behalf.

If it's a larger shipment then you need to contact a freight forwarder such as ourselves in order to get a quote through to door who will again pay customs on your behalf. If it's a shipment too large for the couriers then you need to get FOB terms from the supplier to their closest port as this will work out much cheaper for you as you'll pay lower UK charges as opposed to if you allow the supplier to organize for you under C&F/CIF terms.

What defines a 'small' parcel and a 'large' shipment?
Is this based on weight or actual size of the parcel/box?

 

[Frankngai]

Hello,

For the sample, just find a courier to handle everything for you. Pls remind your supplier of marking "sample, not for re-sale" on the airwaybill or sample invoice. You shouldn't pay the Customs duty.

For the trial order, it's better to find an forward to handle to avoid any unnecessary problem. Good luck to you.

B. rgds,

 

[PowerForwarding]

What defines a 'small' parcel and a 'large' shipment?
Is this based on weight or actual size of the parcel/box?

I'd say anything over about 80kgs talk to a freight forwarder and look at shipping by sea to save costs.

 

[Maple Sourcing]

Find some professionals, and you can work out step by step, no worries.

 

[geester]

Depending on who you buy your stock and what quantity you purchase depends no how you will take delivery of them. For example:

A container can be delivered using road haulage once off loaded from the ship. Or if the stock can be posted or are in cardboard boxes they can be sent from China on UPS, Fedex or TNT, normally you will be invoiced for the Import duty and VAT once you take delivery.

But you will have to be VAT registered and have a EORI number to import without issues or delays.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...nt&id=HMCE_PROD1_028517&propertyType=document

Good luck.
Graham