As a new small business, you will have a plan for the type of products you wish to sell in-store. Many of these products may require you to import them from other countries.
This article will help you to understand the import process.
1. Pick a Supplier You Like and Trust
Importing is not all about getting the cheapest and fastest deal. It’s imperative that as a new business you start to form relationships with importers that you genuinely like and can trust.
After all, you will be opening a business relationship with them which could last for years. It’s best to have a relationship with someone you actually enjoy working with. Trust is essential as your importer can dictate the success of your business.
Follow your intuition, hold meetings and discuss business as well as personal things. Humans are social creatures and you will know if you connect to your importer or not.
2. Do You Need a License?
This should be the very first thing you determine before any deals are made. Using your new relationship with an importer you trust is important because it is on them to ensure that they comply with any governmental regulations and laws in each country.
Always ask your importer about licensing surrounding any product you wish to import from any country. Make sure you have written confirmation from the importer that establishes this.
For you personally, staying up to date with all the latest and trusted air-cargo news will keep you on your toes and aware of any changes to import rules which you can discuss with your importer.
3. Develop a Solid Understanding of Weights and Measurements
Photo by mali maeder from Pexels
You cannot possibly understand the total cost of your products for importing without knowing the individual wights and measurements of each product. This will help you to make a plan for your own sales and projections.
Always make sure there are no restrictions on the type of products you wish to import. Each county has an extensive list of products they will not allow into their country. You should have this printed out and ready to view at all times.
4. Use a Transport Company That is an Expert in Customs
The last thing you want to worry about when importing products for your new business is customs issues. You can find transport companies that are knowledgable about customs and will also handle any customs issues for you.
This is one less thing to worry about and you can be sure that the transport company is aware of anything that might affect your shipments. Having a clear idea of customs regulations and costs can help you understand the costs of your products so you can develop a price that benefits everyone involved with your business expenses mind.
Those who don’t use a specialized transport company that handles customs can hire a customs broker. However, this makes life a little more difficult as you will need to communicate with the customs broker and transport company to ensure that everything is organized causing your workload to expand.
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