Anyone with Import Knowledge

[Karen E]

Hi

Im looking to import a product from the US (Oregon to be precise)to the UK on a regular basis and need some help, does anyone know of a good cargo shipping company or where to look?? I have researched Google and there are lots to choose from but if anyone knows of a company then thats helpful.
Any advice or info gratefully received on this type of business

Cheers
Karen

[InnVic]

I used to import a ton of stuff on a regular basis with my business in the UK. Are you planning to ship by air or land and sea? What sort of size cargo? Where in the UK will be your port of entry? If you have an Import agent in the UK they can probably recommend and/or arrange freight.

[JulieC]

I used to import goods from Hong Kong into the UK in a previous life. I used an import agent rather than sourcing a cargo company direct. This was fairly foolproof as they sort things out for you and I never ran into the horrible situation I ran into trying to import my own furniture from the US to Portugal when I ended up one certificate short and incurred all sorts of fines and demurrage charges.
Remember that there will be a big hit for import duty and VAT.

[Karen E]

Hi Innvic

Well Im very new at this game so have no idea really what to look for, I live in Lowestoft on the east coast which is a shipping port, not sure about cargo ships though or where the nearest port is although its probably felixstowe. Size wise it would be a few pallets at a time but dont know the dimensions yet i guess I will get that from the manufacterer, is an import agent the best route then ?? I have been told travel by sea is the cheapest, there is no hurry to get the goods.

Thanks for any advice
Karen

[InnVic]

Use an import agent - there will be a few in the Felixstowe area. Get prices from the factory either FOB (which is the price for the goods delivered to the ship) or CIF (I think - my memory is going) which includes insurance if you do not have a blanket policy. A good import agent will do all the stuff for you and is especially important when you have only a part container. They can explain stuff like expediting, paperwork necessary, and taxes - as well as what you can and cannot import (somethings like textiles attract huge tax leverages and some things are just not allowed)

[mellida02]

i think u local has cargo ship company