Trade import from India

[NIckJW]

Hi, I run a company called The Funeral Consultat based in Torbay in the UK. I have found some wood cremation urns made by a company in India and I want to 'bring them home'.

This is the first time I've traded overseas. I have received an email from the company listing the following points:

• Mode of payment 50% advance through T.T
• Rates quoted are FOB N Delhi with custom clearance only
• Insurance and sea frieght is to be born by the buyer.

The product cost is very low but what frieght and ancillary costs am I loking at?

Is there one firm that I would be able to go to that would arrange all aspects necessary for import? Or if not, can anyone help with costs, etc.

Look forward to replies. :|

NJW

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

Hello NJW - we will be able to arrange the shipping and customs clearance/duty payment for you. In order to give you an idea of costs, we will need to know the number of packages/package weight and dimensions.

Best regards,
Glen

 

[NIckJW]

Hi Glen

That is great, thanks for your reply. I am just waiting to here back from the N Delhi company to see what minimum quantities are involved etc. Presume it would be much more economical to buy in bulk than just a handful?

The items (made of Mango wood) range around 10" in height to 5" width/diameter.

Say for instance each of these times weighed in at no more than a kilo and I was to order ten. Does that help you in anyway?#

Rgds

Nick

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

Hi Nick, a minimum sea freight shipment is 1000 kilos or 1 cubic metre so it would pay you to buy a larger quantity. If you are only buying a handful (assuming this meets the supplier's minimum order quantity), you would be better off getting the supplier to send them to you by courier (e.g. DHL/UPS/Fedex or someone like that).

Best regards,
Glen

 

[NIckJW]

Glen

Very useful to know what quantity is expected on sea freight.

Ive heard back from the company in the last few minutes and it looks like they have no minimum so I will go down the route of courier. Perhaps as things pick up I may find a need for Wavecrest?!

Do you know though if I chose to use Fedex, etc presume the company would have to arrange this rather than me trying to do so remotely? And would courier companies provide the same service in respect of any ancillary trade issues?

N

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

Hi Nick, from experience it's better if you let your supplier arrange with the courier rather than try to organise something from here.

Whichever courier they use should deal with the customs clearance etc in the UK. You will probably get a call from the courier's UK agent notifying you of any duty/VAT amount to be paid on/before final delivery of the parcel to you.

Obviously if you progress to larger quantities you will be better of using a company such as ourselves to handle the shipments on your behalf by sea freight.

Best regards,
Glen

 

[NIckJW]

Many thanks again Glen

N

 

[technology+business]

NIckJW,
Since you have sorted out your shipping details. I would like to highlight on using an intermediary bank for making any payments to an international company to avoid any setbacks. Your bank can instruct you more on that. I have had very bad experience with a Chinesse company and I learnt from my mistake of not involving my bank in the whole transaction. In banking terminology it is termed as letter of credit where you instruct your bank to release funds once you are satisfied with the delivery of the goods. Also your bank will provide kind of guarantee to your suppliers bank and will streamline the transaction. This method covers both parties involved.

 

[NIckJW]

Hi T+B, another great piece of advice. Thank you

 

[technology+business]

No worries mate. Please let me know if you need any further help.