Buying from China - CIF Shenzhen to Liverpool

waqas · 17 July 2009 at 12:41PM

Hi guys, I am about to place a sofa order with a Chinese company (Hai Rui) for a total around £700 delivered under CIF (Shenzhen - Liverpool) and this is the first time I am buying from abroad via freighter. I have placed a small order as its my first.

I would appreciate any input on the following:

I rang customs up and they told me that their is no duty of the product and just VAT at 15%.

So what costs do I face when the ship arrives in Liverpool? If I want to bring the goods from Liverpool to Derby?

If I was to collect the goods within 7 days, I have been reading that I won't be charged storage costs. Obviously I have to pay custom charges and their fees but anyone know what these are? And finaly I need to pay the freighter forward company for them to bring me the stuff to Derby (they would ofcourse deal with the fees and custom themself); unless I arrange delivery myself.

Have I missed anything guys??

Thanks

pinkshoes · 17 July 2009 at 12:48PM

Have you made sure the sofa won't contain the dessicant that has caused allergic reactions and burn like scars to SO many people??

(sorry, can't help with other Qs!)

waqas · 17 July 2009 at 12:53PM

lol yes, no dessican.

cyberbob · 17 July 2009 at 1:06PM

Wouldnt it be cheaper to buy one in the UK?

Trust_2 · 17 July 2009 at 1:21PM

does this sofa comply with UK Standards - FR as you can buy cheaply in china but does not comply Major issues in UK as you are aware.

CIF is a standard purchasing practice, please ensure you have correct paperwork to release your products/container

Is this for resale?

Inland freight via a local haulage company, as long as they have releasing paperwork

Demurrage can be expensive (After 7 days) so collect when products are taken from Ship

Who is going to handle your customs clearance, which should be simple due to size of order?

waqas · 17 July 2009 at 1:22PM

nope is the simple answer.

This is a test run before I start importing in bigger quantaty, which will work out cheaper.

Trust_2 · 17 July 2009 at 1:24PM

ok, watch the FR issue as this could add between 5-20% of the purchase price, containers are you are aware are far easier,

(Yes works out far cheaper!)

Trust_2 · 17 July 2009 at 1:28PM

Hai Rui are a wholeseller aren't they not a manufacturer, could be wrong but I have never heard of them around Shanghai?

waqas · 17 July 2009 at 2:19PM

Trust wrote: »

does this sofa comply with UK Standards - FR as you can buy cheaply in china but does not comply Major issues in UK as you are aware.

CIF is a standard purchasing practice, please ensure you have correct paperwork to release your products/container

Is this for resale?

Inland freight via a local haulage company, as long as they have releasing paperwork

Demurrage can be expensive (After 7 days) so collect when products are taken from Ship

Who is going to handle your customs clearance, which should be simple due to size of order?

Hi Trut, the no was to the post above yours.

This is for personal use, Hai Rui from Guangdong , Shunde District.

As far as I am aware they said that they will make it comply with UK standards (cost a little more)

This order will have 3 sofas which are all 3 seaters and 3 foot stools with another leather seat.

"Inland freight via a local haulage company" = for this would it best to find one in Derby or Liverpool, I thought if I get a freighter company, they would sort out clearance. Or am I wrong.

Thanks Trust for the questions as its helped. As for documents, I have no idea on that ground, I assume they would post them too me or something. What documents should i expect (BOL)

Waqas.

Ow and whats FR?

ddkleisure · 17 July 2009 at 9:51PM

Hi,

Once the goods arive into the uk you will be notified by the shipping agent in the uk acting on behalf of the forwarder in china.

this will have all fees listed. you will have to pay all security, unloading of container, document processing charges and LCL charges.

This can be anywhere from £100 - £400 in total.

You will have to pay import tax on arrival and VAT.

Also to clear customs the agent in the uk will usually charge anywhere from £40 - £120. this is there processing costs to act on your behalf to custom clear your goods.

Also you will have to act fast once you recieve the arival notice as you will have 7 days from arival of the goods to pay and pick them up, otherwise rental charges will apply and this can be expensive,

it is not as easy as you might think to import from overseas. people think it is simple but until you come face to face with various problems you will never understand how hard it is.

i hope this info helps. this is all that i understand

Hintza · 18 July 2009 at 8:51AM

I know nothing about this but have you checked whether you can import these into the UK without getting a kite mark (I think one will be OK) but if you plan to import for resale it will need to be tested to ensure it complies with all necessary legislation.

I think you need to do some more research into this.

I bought a pram in the US and made a lot of enquries as to why the company didn't sell them in the UK and it was because to get it approved was deemed too expensive.

Buying from China - CIF Shenzhen to Liverpool

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