Importing from China comments please

[Shanna]

Hi there

Have been trying to find a supplier of beer crates in Europe and unfortunately no one will play ball as our requirements are too small.  So I started to look at Alibaba.com and found a supplier who can supply the goods from China. This would involve bringing a cargo container.

So I am asking anybody in the site for comments,  advice on what is involved here. Am interested in particular about customs and other issues that can cause problems.  Would prefer to hear from anybody who has done something similar in the last

Regards

Shanna

[brenmurph]

anything that cant fit easily into a parcel generally comes via container freight from Chna.

There are loads of agents that does it for u but heres the prob.. You may be asked for around 1000-2000 for a 20 ft container.
Most agents can get you on a parrt container ( you pay for sq footage)

generally stuff from china carries 23% vat, handling charges, unloading fees, admin fees agent, admin fees, taxes.

Stuff from china is cheap example a camping trailer 20,000 euros from germany, 5100 us dollar +  couple hundred admin fees.

There may be massive savings depending on what you buy. There may be inport levies or excise depending on the product. Therews loads of online apps for calculating import taxes.

Best advice ask the supplier to arrange shipping to dublin port and ask for breakdown of  all fees from them.   They will be using a company i.e Burke shipping who have a base in China.  So go for an accurate quote for shipping and weight up the costs.  Also China use US dollars for trade so be aware that the dollar fluctuates. I bought a product for 192 euros last week and they couldnt ship on time...refund 188... thats how it can change so when doing you total estimated costs add on 5% for currenct fluctuation and remember credit charges from bank may add on another 2% depending on how u pay.

[Shanna]

Hi Brendan

Thanks for the tips I have a break down for several different amounts of crates all the way up to a full 20ft container. Can go with a part of a full container if required.  Higher numbers of crates means a lower unit price but higher shipping costs and taxes etc.

Is that 23% just on the item or also on transport etc?

Will also take consideration of the xchange rate. As I am using alibaba for the first time is there a concern with being ripped off or getting dud goods. Order would run in to thousands of euro assuming we could organise sufficient interest.

Any idea of easy it is to get goods out of the port on arrival? considering a door to door service instead of having to deal with the hassle of unpacking a container and loading it on to a truck. However still waiting on the price yet so b that v will probably be determining factor.

All theory for now as until I have a ballpark figure won't be able to get numbers.

Shanna

[brenmurph]

Tax is charged on amount of money paid to chins so usually includeds CIF  ( Carriage, Insurance & Freight)

CIF if usually what the chinese carrier will quote you...on top of that the Irish side have a something like 60 euros unloading fee, admin fees port, admin fees shipp agent and then due taxes and maybe revenue admin fees.

Alibaba are reputable enough I think, however u cant see the quality of the goods till they are in your hans. Chinese factories will send u a crate. It may cost a tenner for shipping and u get it in a month but may be worth seeing their quality.

There should be some plastics manufacturers in EU, have u looked in Greece, Turkey and newer EU states that are generally trying to boost their economies?