How Do you Buy Large Retail Stock From China Using a Shipping Agent?

dertin03

Okay so I'm a new seller on ebay and was wondering how to get the stock from China to the UK using a Shipping Ferry and a Shipping Agent as the cost of sending buy post is way too dear. Someone with experience in the matter would be useful. Thanks

gggareth

How long is a piece of string..

From Where to Where.?

Mode
Small parcel up to 30kg UPS Fed ex is about $9-15 per kg.
Air
Sea-Air
Rail-Air
LCL
FCL

All the above have different ship lead times and it depends how quickly you want the products.


Roughly speaking :

Air will cost $4.60 per kg minimum 250kg door to door
FCL works out at about $2800 per 20 foot container door to door.
LCL can vary but for 4 pallets it is about $1.30 per kg.

On export there are generally some fees to pay also on Import.

ON Import you will be required to pay duty and VAT on entry unless you have a Deferment account. Forwarders will not generally pay this upfront for you.

China is weird because you have to have export documentation which is a pain.

paddyrg

Don't forget that landed goods still need you to get them collected pronto from the bonded warehouse once you've cleared them and paid duty etc. Also, as importer it is up to you to get the goods certified CE worthy. Typically, unless you're doing a big run and supplying in bulk, it's often not worth it.

Oh, also factor in the fact that people are scammed every week trying to buy cheap from China. The place is impenetrable and seeing as people will even fake milk, eggs and even intestines (no, really truly) then you can see what a QC problem you have if you're the guy trying to make sure you don't injure Europeans.

Brassedoff

As the above says, how long is a piece of string. We employ a shipping agent, but have £100K of units made at once, containerised and sent to us.

The really big and important thing I have found from experience to get a British, Irish, American agent. Preferably get a British one. They check what's on your invoice is in the crate/container and is clipped (sealed) and put on the carrier.

Otherwise, you pay your cash and you take your chance.

Wywth

dertin03 wrote: »

Okay so I'm a new seller on ebay and was wondering how to get the stock from China to the UK using a Shipping Ferry and a Shipping Agent as the cost of sending buy post is way too dear. Someone with experience in the matter would be useful. Thanks

Appoint agent
Place order
Appoint clearing agent for when goods arive in UK (unless agent has arranged this, or you plan to do this yourself)
Await delivery of goods


The Shipping Agent should arrange the shipping for you - the clue is in their title

martindow

Just to reiterate that charges for goods sent by sea can be considerable in addition to VAT and duty. You also need to factor in the onward delivery cost from the port to you.