This content was reviewed for accuracy on 15/11/2024
New to importing? Don’t worry, we have some great tips here for anyone thinking about importing to the UK.
Keep scrolling for our top five tips!
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#1 Know Your Shipping Terms
For a first-time importer, shipping terms may be unheard of. These are how you and your supplier split the responsibility for the shipment. We would advise the below:
- Try to buy your goods on FOB or Ex Works terms. These are the best ways of controlling your costs as the final price is clear from the outset.
- Avoid CIF/CFR terms (where your supplier sends the goods to the UK), particularly for part container loads, your costs can spiral out of control.
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#2 Mode Of Transport
Which method will you use to ship your cargo? Is Sea or Air Freight for you?
- Is the product lightweight and valuable? If so air freight may not be a bad option for you.
- Is the product bulky and heavy? Airfreight can be very expensive for products like this.
- How urgent is the shipment? If you can wait 8 weeks you could make a substantial saving!
- If you only have a small shipment (less than about 100kg) a courier may be a better option.
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#3 Check UK Duties & Taxes
UK Duties & Taxes can be complicated, and we’re happy to advise if you have any questions, but it is always good to know these things:
- What is the tariff code for your product? This will give you the duty percentage payable.
- Is there any relief on Duty & VAT via the GSP scheme? If you are importing certain products from countries such as India you may be entitled.
- Are there any Anti-dumping / countervailing duties on your product? There can be anti-dumping duty on products like bicycles/e-bikes or even ceramic kitchenware… and the percentage could be up to and beyond 100%!
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#4 Delivery Details
Delivery requirements are an important thing to consider. The last thing you want is to have waited 6 weeks for your delivery, only to have to turn it away because the truck is too big, or the goods are too heavy to offload by hand!
Standard deliveries can arrive on anything from a 7.5 ton to a fully articulated vehicle so ensure you check your access restrictions:
- Do you need timed delivery? If you work certain hours, you may require delivery before or after.
- Do you need a truck with a tail lift to drop your goods to floor level? If goods are heavy and you don’t have access to a fork-lift… this may be your best option for unloading if you don’t have a few extra pairs of hands!
- Is there access for larger vehicles or will you need a small truck? Perhaps a 7.5ton?
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#5 Do Your Calculations
It is vital that you have done your calculations before progressing with your order. The costs of an import do not stop at goods and shipping, be sure you know your margins and landed costs. You should consider:
- Product Cost – Has your supplier quoted to sell you the goods on the desired shipping term?
- Duty & Taxes – Do you know how much UK Duty and VAT you will pay on your items?
- Shipping Costs – Have you got a quote on the correct shipping term and is it to your door?
- Transit Time – Bear in mind that sea freight can take 6 weeks for delivery after the goods are ready, are your goods urgent? There is also potential for delays.
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Bonus - Watch Our Video On Importing From China
The following video contains the key things you need to be aware of when importing to the UK from China.
Contact Shippo
We hope you enjoyed this brief tips post and found it worthwhile. If you have any more questions on importing to the UK, don’t be shy – contact us! Our friendly team will be more than happy to help!
Fantastic company. I just started importing from China and there are so many unknowns with regards to duties, taxes and logistics. Shippo took care of everything and for a very affordable price. Always had quick response times for queries from Zac and anyone else I dealt with. I will be using these guys every time.Rholan Whelan -
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