Importing from Macau to the UK

Finding Trustworthy Suppliers in Macau

Many websites contain a comprehensive list of Macau manufacturers. Many suppliers in various product categories can be found here.

However, it’s a good idea to double-check your chosen supplier’s credentials to ensure you’re getting a good price. Take the following steps to avoid being duped or receiving low-quality products:

• Request a sample of the product from the supplier before placing a bulk order. Samples are usually given away for free; however, you may have to pay for shipping.
• Obtain the contact information for one of the UK importers from Macau. These could be useful for finding the proper suppliers and testing the quality of your products on the spot.

Because you’re importing to resell, you must double-check your calculations before placing your order. You’ll have to pay for the freight, clearing, duty, and inspection fees, among other things, in addition to paying the supplier for the products.

Arranging for Inspections

It’s best to factor in quality control, especially when dealing with large orders, as some manufacturers aren’t too keen on producing quality goods. Depending on the factory, this could differ significantly.

Ideally, Each batch of products should be inspected to avoid importing low-quality goods. If you go with a third party inspection service, you have the option of picking one or all of the following:

• Online inspections – done by a quality inspector. The inspector visits the factory each day during the manufacturing of your goods.
• Mid product inspection – done in the middle of production, to make sure the right material/colour, etc. is used on your goods.
• Pre-shipment inspection – done on your goods immediately after production.
• Container load inspection – this procedure ensures that the shipping container is correctly loaded with the correct amount of product. Especially for delicate products.

Shipping Your Goods via Sea

The best way to ship goods from Macau to the United Kingdom is by sea freight. You have the option of importing a ‘Less than a Container Load’ (LCL) or a ‘Full Container Load’ (FCL).

The difference between FCL and LCL is that you will be sharing space in a container in an LCL shipment, but in an FCL deal, you will be renting the entire container space. When shipping by FCL, you pay a flat charge for the entire container rather than paying by square foot. The price per cubic metre (cbm) is lower than on LCL. Although more expensive per cubic metre, because most LCL shipments start at 0.5 cubic metres (out of a container’s 25-28 cubic metre capacity), it is significantly more cost-effective for smaller shipments because you only pay for the volume you use in the container.

Dealing with Custom Clearance in The UK

Importing goods from Macau is a time-consuming process that entails a lot of red tapes. Before your shipment may reach the United Kingdom, you must follow all paperwork and customs clearance regulations.

With the essential import documentation, your freight forwarding agent can assist you. It is preferable to leave everything to your shipping agent. As the importer, you must be aware of the necessary paperwork and prepare it in advance to ensure that the import process runs smoothly. The main documents required when importing from Macau to the UK are:

• Bill of lading
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Inspection certificate
• Insurance certificate
• Import license