Does anyone deal with importing - exporting?

[gerryonline]

I have an idea that I want to sell local products internationally.. the only problem I am having is how to deal with taxes, and shipping..

Has anyone on here dealt with international import/export at all?

[Carl Taylor]

personally no

but check out this link
Export strategy - Developing a sound business plan for export - Austrade (http://www.austrade.gov.au/Export-strategy/default.aspx)

[gerryonline]

Carl, thanks thats a great link.

has anyone else got any suggestions at all? or contacts etc..?

[Tom Milan]

which country were you thinking bout importing into?

Ive dealt a lot with China, but importing from it and selling their products here.

[moyjos]

We import from numerous cintries and export to NZ and Pacific Islands.

I would not have a CLUE how to do any of this... We have a wonderful Customs agent who takes care of the lot :) Ring a few until you find one who is willing to guide you through.

For export, all I need to do is ring him, send him an invoice (there is no GST on exported goods) and he organises the rest (shipping docs, customs packing if necessary etc).

For imports, the seller sends us an invoice and shipping docs then our customs guy organises everything from there.

Simple
Good Luck
Sue

[gerryonline]

I was hoping to import goods into the UK.

I did have a look into it and the tax costs and duties are crazy.. almost not worth my while.

If someone can point me into the right direction for importing into the UK from oz that would be great :)

[moyjos]

Try the lovely people at
Austrade.

www.austrade.gov.au (http://www.austrade.gov.au)

Cheers
Sue

[J_D]

Hi Gerry,

I've had a great deal of experience importing goods into Australia from countries such as; China, India, Germany and The UK.

When it comes to importing goods, there's alot of documentation that needs to go with those goods. You have to also lodge and pay the appropriate taxes, which vary depending on what you are bringing in to the country. I'd suggest talking to an import/export broker or an international shipping company of whom will handle all of this for you. If you PM me or email me i can give you the details of a friend of mine who does this for a living.

Can I ask, with your exportation to the UK. Will you personally be receiving the goods, or will you be sending from OZ to another entity. If you are receiving the goods, i'd suggest getting your costs etc quoted as FOB Sydney (or the main port that it is coming out of). That way you can get quotations through your shipping agent for the best and most cost effective method of shipping.

If you are then receiving the goods into the UK, you need to comply with the UK importation guidelines... try Business Link (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1074186242) as a start.

Anyway, hope that's helpfull.

Cheers

JD

[gerryonline]

Thanks that is a great help.

I was actually hoping to export UGG boots to the UK, as they are relatively cheap here in comparison! I was looking online and UGGs sell in the UK for about £120-160 !! for the same ones here you can buy for about $90, just do the maths and you can see where I am going with it.

My only other problem is I do not have a contact in the UK that can help me distribute them.

[J_D]

Exporting UGG boots into the UK is a fantastic idea, especially considering the markup etc!!!

A distributor in the UK. Well i guess you can start looking at companies who are currently distributing licensed products (if your product is licensed) or products that are similar, create a brand for your product and some hype about it. Then start to offer it to them. Internet is probably the best way to start. Once you have a heap of potential distributors, if your budget allows, heading to the UK to meet and greet with samples and distributor contracts would be a good place to start.

JD

[babycupcake]

We export to the UK, and our products are handmade in Australia. We have found that the best way to the UK market was to exhibit at trade events, and send the goods to UK customers from a third party warehouse in the UK. As for the taxes... a good customs broker is worth their weight in gold.