Thread: Commercial Imports

Originally Posted by echnidna

I am considering importing various non ww things commercially.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
What traps?

Hit the tax and customs departments' websites.

Burn

Customs ahve codes for different product which dictates the tariff applicable, in small quantities you can clear these goods yourself, but, Customs will not assist you with the codes.
If you use an agent expect to pay through the nose for a couple of minutes work, do your research and save heaps.
What sort of quantities are you importing?
Freight is another important issue, I found for what I was bringing in US Mail was the cheapest option, UPS was too expensive, having said that some companies offer a cheap rate as an incentive to get you on side, only once though.
I used to go to the mail centre in Melbourne, near Crown Casino and clear the goods with our friendly customs people, there is always a big crowd there so expect to wait a while as a lot of small businesses operate the same way and clear their own goods.
Good luck, take a number and sit down.
afterthought
Beware of importing certain items from Asia, I had some sample shirts made in Pakistan and the quality was excellent, I ordered 5000 shirts and when they arrived they were just absolute crap, the company responsible had since vanished off the face of the earth.
I have since found out that this is a common practice.

It could be safer if you were to hire the services of an established agent in the country of source to manage the process for you.

They normally work on a small percentage of the total order value and for that will ensure that QC/QA are complied with, deadlines are kept, packaging and shipping etc. This may also take you into Letters of Credit territory so check this out with your bank if your unsure of the process.
It can be a risky thing for the small business and a good agent is usually worth their commission.
beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

Originally Posted by Iain

Beware of importing certain items from Asia, I had some sample shirts made in Pakistan and the quality was excellent, I ordered 5000 shirts and when they arrived they were just absolute crap, the company responsible had since vanished off the face of the earth.
I have since found out that this is a common practice.

In hindsight - what could you have done to avoid getting stung Iain.

Realy doing your homework on the customs codes is well worth it.
There are often cases where items could be one of a number of codes that have very diferent duty rates.
One bloke I know could bring in items and call them either of two very similar clasifcations (cant give details) the duty rates are very different.

Originally Posted by echnidna

In hindsight - what could you have done to avoid getting stung Iain.

Jumped on a plane with a money order and checked the damned things before they were dispatched.
Air fares are not expensive and after dealing with a certain manufacturer for a while you develope a trust, at least I did with the US companies I dealt with.
I dealt with India for a while importing brass tools and never had a problem, only Pakistan.
Even went to Agra to see the product, they were very helpful and eager to please, but beware the food, or more to the point what it delivers afterwards.

Can these cutoms codes be found online?
I searched the customs website with no luck?

I couldn't find the tariffs online so I got on the phone - after 19 minutes of recorded messages I spoke to a real person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!