When it comes to importing goods to the UK for the first time, there’s no denying that it can be a daunting process. With a huge industry right in front of you, understanding just how it all works and what you need to know to navigate it can seem an impossible task. Here at Barrington Freight, we can help you import from China, or even from Taiwan, but to help first-timers in the importing process, we’ve decided to put together the ultimate guide to get you started!
Research Your Suppliers
Before you even book your shipments, you need to research your suppliers thoroughly. Compare, contrast, and then compare again to help you ensure that you truly understand who you’ll be working with. Telling the difference between an manufacturer and a trading company can prove to be difficult in some cases, so make sure that you check everything. If you are able to do so, it’s definitely worth taking a trip to visit the factory or headquarters of your supplier to help you ensure you know exactly who you are dealing with.
Understand The Freight And Logistics Process
Mismanaged logistics are the key component in missed deadlines, and so knowing your freight and logistics provider inside out is key. Here at Barrington Freight we are happy to provide any information you may require or like to know regarding our logistics process. Whether you check our FAQ’s, or you choose to get in touch with us to speak to a member of our fully knowledgeable team, we will do our best to help you understand our process and how we can help you get your imports from A to B. Why not read our testimonials to see what our other clients think?
Local Relationships Are Key
Having good local relationships is key to ensuring that your import goes off without a hitch. Chances are, you won’t be able to be around if a problem occurs, but by having links and relationships located at each stage of your cargo’s journey, there could be someone on site to assist at any point. We are proud to hold many valuable relationships with companies across the world, so we’ve done half of the work for you!
The Costs
While we will provide you with the most accurate quote that we can for your shipments, it’s important to remember that there may be additional costs you could incur along the journey. We will be happy to advise you on any duty or VAT costs that you may need to pay, however having some prior knowledge before sending your shipment can save you from having to pay these unexpectedly. Are you considering insurance for your shipment? That’s another cost you’ll need to consider, but it’s also one that could give you extra peace of mind.
Be Prepared For Customs!
Customs is the worst culprit for the hold-up of cargo. Before your goods even set off from their origin country, you need to make sure that everything is in place for UK customs clearance. You’ll need the following:
- A commercial invoice from your supplier that declares the goods to customs.
- A Bill of Lading to prove you are the actual owner of said goods.
- An EORI Number
- Commodity codes for your products. This enables HMRC to know what they are.
When It Arrives…
So your goods are on their way, they’ve passed customs with ease and now they’re about to be delivered to you – are you ready? There are a number of things you need to consider when it comes to the delivery of your goods, from whether or not the delivery address actually has the space to store the cargo, whether you need a fork lift for helping heavy items off of a lorry, what time your delivery will be turning up and whether you’ll have the manpower there that you need at the time and if you’re planning on delivering directly to the warehouse of your future seller, then you’ll need to consider their requirements too.
Hopefully this post has given you an insight into what you need to know as a first time importer. If you have any questions, or would like a quote for our importing services, don’t hesitate to get in touch, or fill in our quote form today.
