Advice on Import of products from outside UK/EU
I needed some advice and answers to my few questions from the experienced online retailers, as I am new to selling online, I will be highly appreciated for your help and guidance.
1. In order to import some products from China through Alibaba to UK, do we need to obtain Import Licence?
2. Do we need to obtain Customs registration and also to inform HMRC incase planning to start imports?
3. Do we need to have Excise and VAT registration before importing?
4. Is there any other alternative for importing few products initially without doing the import licence?
5. If I want to bring the products from China, can I put my own Logo and Brand name, to do this do I need to obtain any certifications and approvals or can I use their own certificates but my logo and name on products?
6. In other cases if I bring some products in their (manufacturers name) , do I need to ask for testing certificates copies, which certificates are required to sell in UK as per the law?
7. Any good dropshiper is available to here in UK?
Thanks for your help in advance.Advice on Import of products from outside UK/EU
I needed some advice and answers to my few questions from the experienced online retailers, as I am new to selling online, I will be highly appreciated for your help and guidance.
1. In order to import some products from China through Alibaba to UK, do we need to obtain Import Licence?
2. Do we need to obtain Customs registration and also to inform HMRC incase planning to start imports?
3. Do we need to have Excise and VAT registration before importing?
4. Is there any other alternative for importing few products initially without doing the import licence?
5. If I want to bring the products from China, can I put my own Logo and Brand name, to do this do I need to obtain any certifications and approvals or can I use their own certificates but my logo and name on products?
6. In other cases if I bring some products in their (manufacturers name) , do I need to ask for testing certificates copies, which certificates are required to sell in UK as per the law?
7. Any good dropshiper is available to here in UK?
Thanks for your help in advance.6 replies
Seller_5ia3Q2YxXVCxe
IM NOT AN EXPERT - this is personal experience:
it might depend on what you are importing.
we import dice, and the supplier completes all required export details (from china) and when we get them here, the courier sends us s bill for any Import Duty, VAT and processing fee.
we have an EORI number given to us by HMRC that we try to get quoted on all deliveries, but often the exporter fails to put it on, so I don’t know how important it is,
For us, if the consignment is large (one over £10k last time) then the supplier uses an import company rather than just a courier and they bill us direct.
Just make sure the exporter puts the right commodity code on the goods, as some codes attract duty, some dont - and you DO NOT want to make an error where you end up not paying duty when its due - the HMRC are not to be messed with!!!
as for re-branding goods, thats up to you to discuss with the manufacturer. We don’t do that, so i cant comment on that.
drop shippers - are you looking for drop ship companies that you can sell THEIR items and get them to ship? there are lots of those - google them, but its a very hard market as lots of other people will be using them too. Or are you looking to place your stock with a dropshipper and make it availabel to their customers? you dont say which.
also you dont say what kind of thing you are selling / want to sell.
again, im not a expert - this is not advice! its opinion!!
Seller_mPemhG9cHWctM
- No you don’t
- Might be help to keep a record of accounts etc, you WILL pay duty on goods imported and keep reciepts etc for purposes of claiming VAT
- No but best to think of it before hand, especially with large turnover
- Ask for samples etc
- Yes no reason why not, you can invent a brand or use non-OEM and ask them to stick your name on
- I wouldn’t trust anything made in China, you can however ask for 3rd party verification from an independant source
- Forgot dropping altogether
Seller_8q6lmrVW8TOuY
[quote=“MAFWYNS, post:1, topic:185679”]
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In order to import some products from China through Alibaba to the UK, do we need to obtain Import Licence? No
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Do we need to obtain Customs registration and also to inform HMRC in case planning to start imports? No. If you are a Limited company then you will need a customs clearance agent in order to get the custom cleared, however, if you are importing and billing on your personal name you can deal with customs by yourself.
If you are importing goods through a courier such as DHL/UPs etc…then your courier will act as your shipment clearing agent and they will clear the shipment on your behalf and will deliver to you.
- Do we need to have Excise and VAT registration before importing? No need for Vat registration. You will only need to register for EORI number. Provide the EORI number to your supplier before shipment.
If your supplier provides you the GSP certificate then UK customs will not charge you for the duty but only VAT and other import charges will apply.
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Is there any other alternative for importing few products initially without doing the import licence? Get samples first. Check the quality then place a bulk order.
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If I want to bring the products from China, can I put my own Logo and Brand name, to do this do I need to obtain any certifications and approvals or can I use their own certificates but my logo and name on products? Yes, you can. I personally advise you to register your brand logo with Intellectual property right office.
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In other cases, if I bring some products in their (manufacturers name), do I need to ask for testing certificates copies, which certificates are required to sell in the UK as per the law? There are third party inspection services available, you can find them on google.
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Any good dropshiper is available to here in the UK? Avoid drop shippers.
Seller_G1PKKllhFr07V
Please remember: There are licenses to be considered (considering is not enough, those are legally required things) - but in part depending on the goods - like providing CE documentation, WEEE registration, checking for licenses on electronic goods like BT, MP3 etc. Waste deposal registration, depending on the country of sale and probably a couple moe I forgot to mention.
Selling isn’t as easy as 1-2-3, even if you were told so.
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
If you are buying from Alibaba you need to be 100% certain the items are genuine and authorised. There are huge numbers of copy and generic items and from what I read getting Amazon to accept invoices from them in case of any form of claim - IP, Trademark or condition, will be very hard/impossible. @Kika I think usually recommends not to go this route unless you are a very experienced seller, which it sounds like you are not?
