Hello


I am near completion of my first ever import.


Now I've realised the full cost of importing my goods I would like to quiz people on here who may be able to suggest a different route for the future.


The supplier I chose to purchase my goods from I chose because she offered me a fair price on the goods and only $10 per cbm shipping.


The total cost of my invoice was $920, which equates to around £460.


I live in the North of England and this shipping costs brings it really close to Liverpool port.


Upon receival of an invoice from a freight forwarder over here the total to my door came to £450.

After ringing them, they realised a mistake and said it should only be £270 to my door.


I've then rang around other freight forwarders and realised their customs clearance charge is very expensive and bargained them down to a total cost of £210.


Which I was quite happy with.


Then comes the VAT/DUTY invoice. My goods contain no DUTY tax and this bill was £150.


I rang them up asking them to explain this over the phone as I worked out the VAT to only be around £90.


I was told about freight charges which I questioned and when he checked the B/L and realised this should be removed.


This amount was only about £5.


He did explain that the rest of the money charged was for a range of other costs which are VATable.


But didn't go into detail on what.


I have still made a reasonable saving on my goods which weigh 350KG and take up 2.005cbm but I would like to ask someone if they can recommend a better way for me to arrange the goods to my door.


Am I best just ordering larger quantities next time?

How are customs clearance charges measured?

Will other costs inflate with proportion to how much I order or are they all set prices?

Will another route of shipping be cheaper?


Any advice anyone can give me will be really appreciated.

I am trying to get my first business venture going and if anyone can help me cut my costs down I would be very greatful.

You could try contacting a handful of fowarders who have a strong presence in the 

country of export and in the UK, close to you preferrably. 


All good freight forwarders can offer you quotes with duties paid and good custom cleared

and delivered to your door. After you have compared them and zeroed in on the best, try

to get a quote in from your supplier as well for CFS/Door shipment - then you will know

where you stand on your rate.


It does help to buy larger qtys in that you end up getting cheaper price, no doubt about that.

However, if you're happy to be managing with small qtys, then it would be best to look into

cutting down on costs that can be minimized, if not avoided altogether.


Good luck.

Quoting from [hippyer]:


Hello



I am near completion of my first ever import.



Now I've realised the full cost of importing my goods I would like to quiz people on here who may be able to suggest a different route for the future.



The supplier I chose to purchase my goods from I chose because she offered me a fair price on the goods and only $10 per cbm shipping.



The total cost of my invoice was $920, which equates to around £460.



I live in the North of England and this shipping costs brings it really close to Liverpool port.



Upon receival of an invoice from a freight forwarder over here the total to my door came to £450.


After ringing them, they realised a mistake and said it should only be £270 to my door.



I've then rang around other freight forwarders and realised their customs clearance charge is very expensive and bargained them down to a total cost of £210.



Which I was quite happy with.



Then comes the VAT/DUTY invoice. My goods contain no DUTY tax and this bill was £150.



I rang them up asking them to explain this over the phone as I worked out the VAT to only be around £90.



I was told about freight charges which I questioned and when he checked the B/L and realised this should be removed.



This amount was only about £5.



He did explain that the rest of the money charged was for a range of other costs which are VATable.



But didn't go into detail on what.



I have still made a reasonable saving on my goods which weigh 350KG and take up 2.005cbm but I would like to ask someone if they can recommend a better way for me to arrange the goods to my door.



Am I best just ordering larger quantities next time?


How are customs clearance charges measured?


Will other costs inflate with proportion to how much I order or are they all set prices?


Will another route of shipping be cheaper?



Any advice anyone can give me will be really appreciated.


I am trying to get my first business venture going and if anyone can help me cut my costs down I would be very greatful.

Hi, I am working on setting up my frist Import as well, can you send me the supplier you have used ? I am looking fro Import to switzerland, many thx for oyur help. Stef

Somebody said: you can't do your AD on this forum, we are waiting for some good suggestions

Thanks - we have deleted that "AD" / Trade lead - Mod.

Quoting from [stefan alfonz]:

Quoting from [hippyer]:



Hello




I am near completion of my first ever import.




Now I've realised the full cost of importing my goods I would like to quiz people on here who may be able to suggest a different route for the future.




The supplier I chose to purchase my goods from I chose because she offered me a fair price on the goods and only $10 per cbm shipping.




The total cost of my invoice was $920, which equates to around £460.




I live in the North of England and this shipping costs brings it really close to Liverpool port.




Upon receival of an invoice from a freight forwarder over here the total to my door came to £450.



After ringing them, they realised a mistake and said it should only be £270 to my door.




I've then rang around other freight forwarders and realised their customs clearance charge is very expensive and bargained them down to a total cost of £210.




Which I was quite happy with.




Then comes the VAT/DUTY invoice. My goods contain no DUTY tax and this bill was £150.




I rang them up asking them to explain this over the phone as I worked out the VAT to only be around £90.




I was told about freight charges which I questioned and when he checked the B/L and realised this should be removed.




This amount was only about £5.




He did explain that the rest of the money charged was for a range of other costs which are VATable.




But didn't go into detail on what.




I have still made a reasonable saving on my goods which weigh 350KG and take up 2.005cbm but I would like to ask someone if they can recommend a better way for me to arrange the goods to my door.




Am I best just ordering larger quantities next time?



How are customs clearance charges measured?



Will other costs inflate with proportion to how much I order or are they all set prices?



Will another route of shipping be cheaper?




Any advice anyone can give me will be really appreciated.



I am trying to get my first business venture going and if anyone can help me cut my costs down I would be very greatful.

Hi, I am working on setting up my frist Import as well, can you send me the supplier you have used ? I am looking fro Import to switzerland, many thx for oyur help. Stef

What goods are you looking to import?