Few things are more integral to the world of business today than the practice of importing. Importation has always been an important staple of healthy economies. The Ancient Mediterranean, the Silk Road, the Indian Ocean Trade – all of these show how the practice of importation has contributed to the economic and often cultural flourishing of not just one society, but entire regions. Adam Smith devotes entire sections of his work Wealth of Nations to the different forms of and best means of carrying out importation, and that trend of importation has only accelerated with the growth of globalised economies.
As such, it is only natural to want to get in on the game yourself. That being said, you can’t just jump into the world of international importing and selling. There are a variety of different rules and regulations which you have to consider, and you need to make sure to follow all of them. Unfortunately, given the labyrinthine nature of domestic and international importation law, this can be difficult.
Here, then, is a quick guide to help ease you into the world of international importing.
Know Thyself (and Thy Products)
First and foremost, you’re going to want to make sure that you understand full well just what it is you are importing. You never want to be caught in a situation where that “interesting” item you are importing with the idea that it will fetch a nice profit back home is illegal. Likewise, you want to make sure that anything you are shipping is itself legal in the nation to which you are shipping it. All of these may sound like common sense precautions, but they are well worth heeding to save you the headache of trying to explain questionable importation decisions to authorities later on. Be sure to check with qualified importation experts regarding any and all questions you may have regarding regulations.
Packaging and Labelling Considerations
You’ll also want to give a great deal of care and consideration to the packaging and labelling of your parcels. You need to make sure that any packages you ship are not just airtight, but also packed in materials that can withstand a long trip. You might be sending your package hundreds or even thousands of miles away, by land, sea, or air. You therefore want to make sure that all packages you send are up to such conditions. The same goes for labels. You don’t want to send your package all that way and then have it denied because the label is illegible or has otherwise peeled off in the course of transit. All information should be clearly printed and made easily accessible for customs agents.
Determining the Best Rates
Finally, you’re going to want to consider the tariffs, duties, and other financial considerations that come with trading with another country. The best sites for importation information can supply you with the latest on Australian import duty rates and how to make the process as affordable as possible.
Import and export goods internationally like a pro with the help of the experts in the field.