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.

[aapkae]

Carl, thanks thats a great link.

[GibiGibiLisa]

Hi, I'm looking for doing my own business too, but I don't do directly import-export, I would like to assist on import/export between China and other countries (I'm Chinese).
I think I can help if you want to import Chinese goods to sell in Australia...

[nigel_f2]

I am looking to import from china and looking at shipping costs/taxes/duty etc do you have any advice on this?

[Import Australia]

Look no further than my signature for the definitive guide to importing into Australia. This book has already helped countless entrepreneurs and established businesses and we're already working on a second edition in the future so you'll be able to build on your knowledge from purchasing the original copy. The original book provides all the information you need today and the next edition is being written as a supplementary guide with additional business information to help you even further.

An unashamed plug, I know, but this will be exactly what you're looking for.

[Jake The Ripper]

hey i bought your book. it's a good read. thanks. cleared up a lot of confusion.

[Import Australia]

Hi Jake,

Huge thanks from everyone on our team for taking the plunge and purchasing the book.

Our writers are really pushing the boat out on the second edition and there's going to be some fantastic information included that will help prospective importers to set up their businesses correctly. We're aiming to cater for everybody and revisions will provide crucial information for those who want to go it alone, those in partnerships and there's even going to be a dedicated section for companies of a larger size. I don't want to give away too much about some of the other information we're providing but I can assure you it's going to be pretty impressive.

Naturally, there will be some crossovers with the first edition but the new version isn't designed as a replacement. We're actually going to move into the realms of creating a bonafide business on top of the information we already provide about importing goods. It's going to be very in-depth and those with access to the first edition (like yourself) will really benefit from it.

Thanks again for your business, Jake.

[The King Game]

So why should I buy Importing Australia version 1 when I can wait a bit and get Version 2. Probably for the same price. And when is this version going to be released?

I am interested. It looks good. However, I am not going to waste money on buying a book that is redundant in a couple of weeks.

[Import Australia]

So why should I buy Importing Australia version 1 when I can wait a bit and get Version 2. Probably for the same price. And when is this version going to be released?

I am interested. It looks good. However, I am not going to waste money on buying a book that is redundant in a couple of weeks.

That's a great question, and one that I'm only too happy to answer.

I want to give you a simile here. Let's take a series of other books. In this case, I want to use the 'Harry Potter' stories as everybody knows them. I'm not sure how many books there are in the series but I'm think it might be seven. No doubt somebody will correct me so my apologies if I'm upsetting any fans here!

I've never read the books but I've seen the films so I'm sure the story is comparable throughout. In the first book, we learn about Harry and how he leaves his life of childhood misery to attend Hogwarts. Essentially, we have the basis of a longer story in place after reading the first book. So far, so good. The second book, although it's on the same subject, offers new light on what we've learned so far. There may be references to the first book in the second one (I've just been informed by my colleague that the second book is 'The Chamber of Secrets' although I'm not convinced!) but the story itself is completely new.

Back to 'Importing Australia'. In the first edition, we've provided everything you need to get started when it comes to bringing in goods from other countries. In the second edition, we obviously cover some of the topics we've mentioned before but our aim is to take the 'story' to the next level. We've started production on the second edition as a supplement to the first (not a replacement) and really want to put an emphasis on creating a sustainable business model. Like Harry Potter, there is a theme that runs through both books. However, the second edition will add depth to what you already know. Can the second edition of 'Importing Australia' be purchased on a standalone basis? Most definitely. Can you afford to put your business on hold for up to six months to save less than $30 when you could be making money today? Only you know the answer to that question.

The first edition will NEVER be completely redundant. Although we are fully aware that conditions within the marketplace may change, much of the information we've sold already is written from a 'timeless' perspective. 'Importing Australia' isn't our first publication in the world of business, and we always aspire to produce material that will still be relevant in several years time. Obviously, we can't make provisions for certain changes but we always try to avoid underselling and longevity is just one key to our ongoing success.

We know that those who already own the first edition will find additional value in the second. On the flip side, we also expect to make continued sales of the first copy even when the second edition is published. There will be no 'cut and paste' tactics used and you won't be reading the same material twice. These are two entirely different publications that carry excellent value. An important point here is that we are using new writers on the second edition. We wanted an entirely different perspective on what we've produced already and the material we've received so far has surpassed our expectations. We've extended our budget to get EXACTLY what we want and so far, it's been worth every penny.

Obviously, the choice is entirely yours. Other posters here (such as Jake) have already found great value in the first edition. With Christmas approaching and Australians waiting in earnest to spend THEIR money on YOUR imported products during the busiest sales period of the year, do you really want to wait until next year (and maybe even Christmas 2012) to maximise that potential?

I won't twist your arm, but I know what I'd be doing if I was in your shoes.

[Dubbo Pete]

I would buy it but the recently announced Qantas grounding of all flights might stall delivery of the book ... oh that's right, it is a pdf!

[Import Australia]

It certainly is at the moment, Pete. However, we're toying with the idea of hard copies on another product we're selling at the moment and if we test it and it performs well, we may consider it for 'Importing Australia 2012' when the time comes. If there's a demand, we'll be there to meet it.

[OnefortheMoney]

OK - Most of you who know me realise that I don't suffer fools too gladly but IA seemed to pitch his product pretty well and I'm always interested in trying out new things if I can make some cash out of it. I've looked at importing before but couldn't get the info I needed so thought I'd have a look at this download.

It's actually pretty bloody good. I've already taken out some great info from it and put it to work and... well, it works! I can't really give a better testimonial than that. To be honest, I'm likely to make about 40 times my money back on this book with my first venture and remember that it's only an experiment at the moment. IA - Thanks for that, mate. Deffo going to be in for the new edition. Do you have a date yet?

[Jake The Ripper]

count me in for the new version. sounds like it will be heaps better.

[Import Australia]

Really appreciate the kind comments, OnefortheMoney, and thanks for taking the plunge and buying the first edition. Our writers are really starting to kick on with the new version now and we're estimating a finishing time of 3 to 4 weeks maximum on that side of things. Once the editing process has been completed, we'll be working through the night (well, lots of nights probably!) to make sure it's formatted to perfection. As excited as we are and as much as we want to get the second edition onto the market, we're really trying to give this as much value as possible and won't rush it. That's the approach we adopted for the first edition and it's served us well. We also know that when you see the 2012 copy, you'll be every bit as pleased with it as we'll be ourselves.

Jake: As somebody that already has the first edition, it's really warming that you have already made a decision to go for the second one as well. Rest assured that you'll be getting even more for your money on this one! Thanks for continuing to fly the flag on this one for us, Jake. Although we know how valuable this book is, there's nothing better than the testimonials of those who have actually purchased it.