A first-time importer's guide

Before you think about containers and forwarders, get clear on what you are importing and whether it is even allowed. Every product has a classification code, and that code decides whether it is restricted, what paperwork it needs, and what taxes apply.

• Is the product restricted or controlled in your country? Some goods need licences or approvals.
• What is its HS code? This drives everything downstream.
• Are there standards or labelling rules it must meet to be sold?

The single biggest beginner mistake is thinking the supplier's price is the cost. It is not. Your real cost, the landed cost, is everything it takes to get the goods to your door, ready to sell.

A realistic landed cost usually includes:

• The price of the goods themselves.
• Freight and insurance to your country.
• Import duties and taxes, based on the HS code and value.
• Port handling, customs clearance, and documentation fees.
• Final delivery from the port to you.

• Verify before you pay. Check the supplier is a real, registered business with a track record, not just a listing.
• Start with a sample. See and test the actual product before ordering in volume.
• Agree everything in writing. Specs, quantities, price, Incoterms, and timelines, all documented.
• Use sensible payment terms. Avoid paying everything upfront to a supplier you have never worked with.

Once you have a verified supplier and a clear landed-cost estimate, the mechanics are straightforward:

• Ordering big before testing small. Start with a manageable first order.
• Ignoring duties and taxes until the bill arrives.
• Vague agreements that leave room for disputes.
• Choosing the cheapest everything, cheap supplier, cheap freight, and paying for it in problems.