Quizzes & Puzzles5 mins ago
Importing from China
I want to import a package from China approx 24x24x24" and weighing 50lb. The manufacturer is only quoting FOB. How do I arrange the shipping and what is the cheapest way to bring it into the UK? UPS quoted something like �350 which is way more than I am paying for the goods themselves! I am not worried about fast delivery and up to 6 weeks would be fine.
Answers
No best answer has yet been selected by dicky113. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.FOB is Free on Board, which suggests that the supplier will get the parcel to a point of export (a good start). UPS and Fedex cannot do things slowly, so are comparatively expensive. One option is below (purely from Google, there must be lots of options).
http://www.express-luggage-moving.com/formulaire-GB.html
The import duty and VAT issues are significant. Duty tends to be between 0% and 14% (average about 2%) depending on the item. VAT into the UK is 17.5%. Duty is charged on the FOB + Freight (to the EU border) + Insurance, VAT on the customs value plus customs duty. If you need an agent in the UK to clear it, it will be another chunk of money. You can self clear, but need to be present and need to fill in a C88 with all the lovely codes for isoteric stuff such as Customs Procedure Code (400000 for your import)
the cheapest way wil be by sea and it will take about 20 days. I have purchased from suppliers in China many times and most if not all have a shipping section to their company, they dont usually mention it because they are usually dealing with large companies that have there own shipping contracts.
Just ask the person your buying from to send it by sea to your address, and in 2 weeks or so , the shipping company will contact you to arrnage the delivery
thats the easy part
you wil need a vat number
a document called the bill of lading
and the price the chinese will charge you for shipping is just to the port in the UK. The shippping company will charge you extra fees for customs clearance and delivey to your door.
vat number - you can get a temp one from HM customs and excise
bill of lading, the supplier should send it to you by dhl/fedex letter air mail
China Sea Freight http://www.mychinafreight.com/sea-freight.html
Wish you good luck!