Port forwarding from Felixstowe

[keyimport]

I'm after a bit of advice with importing. I have a supplier in HK who I have ordered from, but upto now I have used air freight. I am now looking at sea freight options at it appears to be a minefield.
He has offered me CIF on the shipment, with me to sort out this end. What is involved in this?

The package:
Total arround 10CBM,by sea shippmeng to uk Sea port20.5*64*64cm10pcs73kg

Kind regards

 

[GraemeL]

I'm after a bit of advice with importing. I have a supplier in HK who I have ordered from, but upto now I have used air freight. I am now looking at sea freight options at it appears to be a minefield.
He has offered me CIF on the shipment, with me to sort out this end. What is involved in this?

The package:
Total arround 10CBM,by sea shippmeng to uk Sea port20.5*64*64cm10pcs73kg

Kind regards

I am sure there are several freight forwarders on here who will help you.

My advice is to decline the offer and ask for an FOB price from your supplier. (CIF can mean that you lose control and you may well be overcharged at the UK end) You can then seek a price from a UK based freight forwarder who can arrange to get the product right from China to your premises. Its easy.

Also the FF will guide you on UK customs clearance.

G

 

[red-source]

Yes GraemeL is right, decline and arrange FOB. Just get yourself to a local freight forwarder and they will explain it all, the invoices on shipping documents can be filled with line after line of costs that were never explained, its best to let those in the know deal with it all.

 

[barringtonfreight]

Agreeing CIF terms will be like writing the forwarder and supplier in China a blank cheque.

FOB is the way to go. (You will be able to control your costs). A good UK forwarder will arrange the shipping, transport and clearance.

Speak to a few forwarders and get a feel for them. There often isn't much in the price, so consider the frequency of service, transit time and general help offered during the initial enquiry.

When comparing the prices there might be a whole shopping list of abbreviated charges like BAF, CAF, THC. Be careful that you are comparing like for like.

 

[PowerForwarding]

Yes as per the above comments do change the terms to FOB and get a price from a UK based freight forwarder who can organise the shipment through to door at a much better price.