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Customs Charges From China For Importing

Anything related to sourcing or importing products.

PetePreneur

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Hey,

So I’m about to order some samples from my suppliers and since I’m only ordering from 2 of them, I’m just going to pay the shipping that they’ve said instead of going down the freight forwarder route.

They’ve just asked me if it’s okay if I do customs clearance though, which I don’t know what to do with.

Would you guys usually just tell them to deal with this or is it a simple process of getting a bill from customs, which you then pay to release the goods?

Thanks,
Pete
 
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maverick

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How big is the product? You could just get the manufacturer to send it through their fedex/dhl account.
 

RazorCut

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How big is the product? You could just get the manufacturer to send it through their fedex/dhl account.

This would be the best option.

If it's air freight you will have a few hoops to jump through but its all straightforward. Just holds up clearance for a couple of days and costs you money.
 

PetePreneur

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How big is the product? You could just get the manufacturer to send it through their fedex/dhl account.

It’s quite large at about 7 feet (215cm) X 5 feet (165cm) X 1 foot (35cm), so I’ve asked for it to be shipped via sea. I don’t think DHL or any courier are involved if it’s sea right?

So would the customs just be a matter of them sending me a bill and me paying them to get it cleared at customs or will it be really difficult to do?

Thanks!
 
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Scot

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@amp0193 this sounds like something you’d know about, as your products fairly large and I’m sure you orders samples before doing containers.
 

RazorCut

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You can use a Customs Broker (agent) or do it yourself. I’ve gone down both routes in the past.

You can gain a better insight specifically about UK importation and the roll of a Broker here:

 
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RazorCut

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It’s quite large at about 7 feet (215cm) X 5 feet (165cm) X 1 foot (35cm), so I’ve asked for it to be shipped via sea. I don’t think DHL or any courier are involved if it’s sea right?

So would the customs just be a matter of them sending me a bill and me paying them to get it cleared at customs or will it be really difficult to do?

Thanks!

The only time I’ve shipped in products rather than air freighted is when bring in a full shipping container. It can be frustrating as you know the ship has docked but it can still take a week to clear customs and get picked up for onward delivery.

You’ll usually need to make all payments up front. Broker fees, import duty, courier and VAT on top.
 

PetePreneur

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You need to engage a customs broker and they will walk you through the clearance process.

Page 11 of @Walter Hay ebook on importing.
Thanks! So after I use them once and know all the necessary codes and procedures ect, will I be able to just do it myself from there onwards relatively easily?

Also, do I hire them when I’ve just ordered the samples or as they dock?

How much did I cost you too for them when you imported your samples just so I’ve got a ball park figure?

Cheers!
 

biophase

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Thanks! So after I use them once and know all the necessary codes and procedures ect, will I be able to just do it myself from there onwards relatively easily?

Also, do I hire them when I’ve just ordered the samples or as they dock?

How much did I cost you too for them when you imported your samples just so I’ve got a ball park figure?

Cheers!

You hire them each time you get a shipment. You hire them before the shipment is shipped from China. They handle all the paperwork to get it into this country.
 
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Walter Hay

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Thanks! So after I use them once and know all the necessary codes and procedures ect, will I be able to just do it myself from there onwards relatively easily?

Also, do I hire them when I’ve just ordered the samples or as they dock?

How much did I cost you too for them when you imported your samples just so I’ve got a ball park figure?

Cheers!
You need a Customs Broker BUT that's not the only help you need. Even before placing your order you should have obtained a quote from a freight forwarder in the UK for the shipment delivered to your door.

I could cost you a lot if you simply pay the freight your supplier has quoted. What are the shipping terms? In what city is the supplier located?

If the freight quoted by your suppliers is based on shipping delivered to your destination port, you will have a major and potentially costly headache to deal with. Whatever you do, don't accept the faulty advice that I have seen on some gurus' blogs saying you will just go to the port and pick it up!

I will help, but I hope it's not too late.

Walter
 

PetePreneur

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You need a Customs Broker BUT that's not the only help you need. Even before placing your order you should have obtained a quote from a freight forwarder in the UK for the shipment delivered to your door.

I could cost you a lot if you simply pay the freight your supplier has quoted. What are the shipping terms? In what city is the supplier located?

If the freight quoted by your suppliers is based on shipping delivered to your destination port, you will have a major and potentially costly headache to deal with. Whatever you do, don't accept the faulty advice that I have seen on some gurus' blogs saying you will just go to the port and pick it up!

I will help, but I hope it's not too late.

Walter
Hi Walter, thanks for the advice. I haven’t actually ordered anything yet, so it’s not too late thankfully.

I think it will be just a quote to get it to the port because I haven’t yet told them my address or anything. I’ve just told them the nearest port to me, which is about a 2 hour drive.

I didn’t realise I had to use a freight forwarder aswell for just the sample orders. They said that they’re using a freight forwarder to get it to me, so I just presumed they would get it to me.

So would you advise that I just get a freight forwarder in the UK to get me a quote for all this pretty much?

Thanks!
 

Walter Hay

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@PetePreneur You will save money if you tell them you want a quote EXW, because your UK freight forwarder will cover all risks and all costs from their door to yours. Make sure your forwarder's quote is all-inclusive, with the only cost still to pay is duty and VAT.

It also takes the pain out of it because you don't need to even know tariff numbers. All the work will be done for you.

Your case is different because of the size of the samples requiring sea transport.

I know from experience when importing to the UK for my franchisees there, that UK forwarders tend to be more expensive than most. Shopping around is not a bad idea, because competition is a good thing. Make sure that any forwarder you deal with is genuinely operated by UK citizens, or a branch of a large reputable international company.

There is a growing trend for scammers to operate in the freight industry, as I explain in detail in my book. Most operate out of China, Russia, and some other countries where the rule of law is lax. I counsel all importers to refrain from using Chinese forwarders. Some of those listed as freight vendors on Alibaba are potentially very risky.

Walter
 
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PetePreneur

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Tha
@PetePreneur You will save money if you tell them you want a quote EXW, because your UK freight forwarder will cover all risks and all costs from their door to yours. Make sure your forwarder's quote is all-inclusive, with the only cost still to pay is duty and VAT.

It also takes the pain out of it because you don't need to even know tariff numbers. All the work will be done for you.

Your case is different because of the size of the samples requiring sea transport.

I know from experience when importing to the UK for my franchisees there, that UK forwarders tend to be more expensive than most. Shopping around is not a bad idea, because competition is a good thing. Make sure that any forwarder you deal with is genuinely operated by UK citizens, or a branch of a large reputable international company.

There is a growing trend for scammers to operate in the freight industry, as I explain in detail in my book. Most operate out of China, Russia, and some other countries where the rule of law is lax. I counsel all importers to refrain from using Chinese forwarders. Some of those listed as freight vendors on Alibaba are potentially very risky.

Walter
Thanks for the advice!

Would you be able to tell me what freight forwarder and customs broker you use if that’s not confidential? It doesn’t matter if they’re in USA, aslong as they know what they’re doing for UK shipping.

If not, I’ll look at some sort of a freight forwarder comparison website to shop around with like you said.

Thanks!
 

Walter Hay

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Tha

Thanks for the advice!

Would you be able to tell me what freight forwarder and customs broker you use if that’s not confidential? It doesn’t matter if they’re in USA, as long as they know what they’re doing for UK shipping.

If not, I’ll look at some sort of a freight forwarder comparison website to shop around with like you said.

Thanks!
There is a massive list of forwarders in the UK here: Freightnet but you will note that as far as Page 4 all of those listed have paid to be there. It will require patience to contact enough to be satisfied with what they offer and what they charge.

To obtain a quote you will need to supply:
  • Shipping method.
  • Product description.
  • Dimensions of the shipping package, once packed for loading.
  • Weight.
  • Location of pick up.
  • Location of delivery.
  • Approximate date ready for pick up.
Be sure to state that the quote must include every charge other than the Duty and VAT, which you request that they pay on your behalf.

Walter
P.S. I am retired.
 

PetePreneur

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There is a massive list of forwarders in the UK here: Freightnet but you will note that as far as Page 4 all of those listed have paid to be there. It will require patience to contact enough to be satisfied with what they offer and what they charge.

To obtain a quote you will need to supply:
  • Shipping method.
  • Product description.
  • Dimensions of the shipping package, once packed for loading.
  • Weight.
  • Location of pick up.
  • Location of delivery.
  • Approximate date ready for pick up.
Be sure to state that the quote must include every charge other than the Duty and VAT, which you request that they pay on your behalf.

Walter
P.S. I am retired.
Okay Walter thanks for all the advice again!

I’ll go ahead and contact a bunch of them with that information and see where I go from there!

Thanks!
 
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