Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi,
We would like to import a laser light level from China as an add on accessory to offer our customers on our Wall Dressed Up mural transfer website. It would be a great add-on product to assist making sure that it is easy for our customers to transfer the mural artwork to their walls correctly. This is the only product we will need to import.
I have gotten several quotes from China- FOB Ningbo. OK, I get that...freight on board from the port of Ningbo, but that is where I am stuck! Does anyone have any experience importing product from overseas? I do not know the next step to take. What paperwork do I need for customs and is there an agency that can help me with this? Any advice would be very welcome, as I can`t seem to find answers on the web. I just do not want to be taken or have my product stuck at a port. I also need to know what it will actually cost me to ship and get the product to ME.
Thank you. I would greatly appreciate any assistance in this matter!
Carol

You need the assistance of a customs broker.  I had this same question and that is what SCORE said.  Nearest your home the best.

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Travis Tschepen
Hibachi Bros. LLC

--My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.--

Hello Carol!

Travis is right, you need a Customs Broker.  I have a dear friend that has her own company.  If you`re interested PM me.  All of these questions, they have answers to.  Customs Brokers can probably even get you a better rate then you got on your own.  They have contracts w/ the steamship lines and get volume discounts.  (This is was I did in my other life... BC... before children)

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

A customs broker is a good place to start, but you will then have to do it all by yourself. If you have a lot of time on your hands that may be the way to go, however, you should also explore the door to door service of well known companies like DHL`s Import Express. If the quantities are not huge this may be the way to go, the extra time and peace of mind should more than make up for the expense.

Thank you. I actually like the idea of having this done door to door! We are so busy with our launch next month, and we do not have a lot of time on our hands. It is just an accessory product that we would like to carry and we will be ordering the minimum to see how it goes. I was looking at UPS`s import service online today. DHL or UPS may be the way to go! I had no idea they offered that service.
I appreciate all the help!

The process is very simple with DHL, and if you need large products imported then you want a good "freight forwarder".  Most China manufacturers are very knowledgeable with DHL as opposed to UPS or Fedex.  Set up a DHL account, and then give it to your manufacturer.  They will take care of everything else. 

Freight forwarders handle everything and it is easier than sending a letter across the country, but in this case, you would be ordering bulk.

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Dave Novak has now been featured on Fox News, ABC, and GoDaddy Radio, and much more... Dave went from a corporate job at $15 an hour to over $3 Million in online gross revenue. He now is speaking nationwide and has created a video series call "The eBay Millionaire Secret" teaching YOU how to do the same.

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To determine if you need an import broker, here are the rules:

You must employ the services of an Import Broker if the value of your imported goods is more than $2,000.

At any time when the goods are for resale regardless of the value, you must also use a customs Broker.

>$2,000
Hmm..

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