Importing from abroad

Drk_2

Hi we are extending our home and are thinking of importing material for the house from China. The items being considered include wood flooring, tiles, bathroom suites, internal doors and light fittings as well as paving blocks for the driveway. These items are cheaper to buy in China and can be shipped over in containers. We are aware of freight charges and possible VAT on entry to U.K.
Has anyone had any experience with this as we are new to it. Is anyone aware of any other fees/charges we might face? Please help!

vaio

Chinese business ethics are dramatically different from the UK and you will have no way of sorting it out if the stuff that arrives is a pile of crap.

The only way I'd get involved is if I was importing multiple loads as a business which would make it viable to to visit and see exactly what I was buying.

For work I do buy off someone who imports by the container load and the amount of trouble he gets is unbelievable....stuff is late, wrong, faulty etc etc and he has visited and got a local agent to oversee things.

keystone

I think its a barmy idea! Thats the less than diplomatic version of Vaio's post . You forgot the import duty too.


Cheers

Hintza

I have a friend who imports from China and if he is not on the case the quality falls off a cliff. He has hired someone to check each shipment before departure.

tpt

i think you'd spend more managing it than you'd save. Plus with recent waste legislation china is no longer the cheapest place to source some of the items you list.

rustyboy21

One of the manufacturers I deal with buys their stock from China.

They have admitted that 50%+ of the stock that comes delivered has faults with it. So much in fact that they have to either rework the stock first, send it back which they get charged for, or dump it, which sometimes works out cheaper.

Unless you can be in China to oversee the contaimer being loaded and see and check every piece for quality control, I would say it is a big NO NO !

There are enough suppliers over here, who deal with the same people you would be dealing with, Look out for the exhibitions that go on around Europe, I know there is a big show in Barcelona every year for Tiles and Flooring, where you can do deals on the stock from the suppliers, Have a look in the trade press articles, you can usually find them online.

RaiderHammer

Check the freight costs before you get any further on this and work out if the saving (if any) is worth the possible quality hassles.

Container sea freight approx US $1800 (20 foot)
Container delivery once in the UK £350 + depending on where you are. If you take longer than 3 hours to unload you will pay extra by the hour.
Vat at 20%
Duty at 12% I would guess
You will need an import agent to clear the container in UK customs. Cost £???
Container delivery from factory China to vessel unless FOB (Free on board). If ex works you need to pay these costs.
If container is xray'ed on entry in the UK I beleive you need to pay for this.

Light fittings - Will they work in UK electrics?

Unless you are a big concern with cheaper rates on everything form freight costs to import agent costs I expect it may not be cheaper at all. Then what do you do if the quality is not what you are expecting?

Oh by the way, there may be some big container price increases coming around the Chinese New Year.

Lots to think about I am afraid.

27col

You would have to get some pretty substantial savings to make it worth all the hassle. I was reading recently about some British Companies who are bringing back some production to this country due to increased costs and production hassle in China. The more the better I say.

RaiderHammer

27col wrote: »

You would have to get some pretty substantial savings to make it worth all the hassle. I was reading recently about some British Companies who are bringing back some production to this country due to increased costs and production hassle in China. The more the better I say.

Yes that is correct, some companies are but some are still moving there also. The freight and tax and associated costs coupled with the uncertainty of what you will get quality wise are the issues. Along with payment before despatch and then waiting around 4 to 5 weeks until your products arrive by sea freight.

Drk_2

Yes it seems like its more hassle than its worth.

keystone

Yes it seems like its more hassle than its worth.

Good call.

Cheers