Imports
Imports
Most importers are interested in their actual delivered cost of goods, how long it will take for the goods to arrive, can they trust their supplier, and who will be responsible for freight charges. For more information on importing: Call us now on 0121 685 4445 Request a call back - Email us now Delivered price:The delivered price includes:
At Allenco we recommend that importers purchase goods from most markets on an FOB (for seafreight) or FCA (for airfreight) basis. This means that the shipper is responsible to get the goods cleared for export on to the vessel or aircraft at the origin port or airport. The importer is responsible for the charges from FOB/FCA. Importers should guard against what appear to be very cheap freight rates being offered by overseas suppliers (particularly in the Far East and India). These rates will appear to get the goods to the destination sea port very cheaply but once the goods arrive, huge charges are applied thereafter. Transit time:Airfreight transit times are relatively quick meaning that goods can often move door to door in less than a week. Space issues on certain routes can increase the transit time. Sea freight transit times are obviously longer and port to port transit times do not reflect the actual transit time. It is sensible to add 2 to 3 weeks to port to port transit times to get a "real" transit time (subject to actual origin point). Can I trust my new supplier to deliver once I have paid for the goods:We are often asked this question about new suppliers and there is no exact answer or guarantee that a supplier will be legitimate. Whilst none of the following will guarantee the outcome of an import, they may go some way to helping put your mind at ease:
Who will pay the freight charges and what are INCOTERMS?Make sure that you are clear what is included in the sellers price and what is not. There is an internationally recognised protocol called "Incoterms" which set out which party is responsible for which part of the freight charge. The latest version is "Incoterms 2010" and lists 11 different Incoterms which range from ex works (where in effect the buyer of the goods pays all of the freight charges door to door) through to DDP where the seller of the goods pays all the charges door to door (including import taxes). It isn't possible to go into the nuances of all the Incoterms in this website but we would recommend the following for any importers: Do not buy Ex Works (EXW) as you don't want to be involved in the export customs formalities in another country. Do not buy on CFR, CPT, CIP or CIF terms as, whilst you will not be responsible for the freight, you equally will have no control over the freight carrier or their nominated agent at destination. Some unscrupulous agents will take advantage of this situation and load charges upon you the importer. We would generally recommend that imports are purchased on a FOB basis allowing the importer to determine which carrier to use and so to control the freight costs. Incoterms also determine where the risk between buyer and seller is transfered and who is responsible to insure the goods. For further information call now on: 0121 685 4445 Request a call back - Email us now
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