Importing Goods to the UK? 4 Things You Need to Know

Brexit and the subsequent transition period, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected the UK’s trade statistics regarding import and export.

Whether importing from the EU or other countries, this guide can help make it a winning strategy for your business.

Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders specialize in international logistics and can arrange transportation of goods from collecting the shipment from the supplier to delivering it to your warehouse or store in the UK. They use a network of logistics providers or local transport to move products. This means you will only have one person to communicate with to manage the details of your shipment.

Custom Brokers

Custom brokers (also known as import brokers) help set up custom documents and licenses required for importing into the UK. They ensure to provide everything you need to smoothly clear customs as well as deal with authorities on your behalf. This helps avoid delays, fines, and other expenses are given that you fail to comply with customs requirements.

Considering the Underlying Costs

The process of importing goods can be costly. So, you should consider the price of goods, transportation costs, fees charged by outsourced service providers, and charges imposed by government agencies.

A regular bank transfer to the supplier will include additional fees and costs. Moreover, the exchange rate your bank offers might not be the best option. However, you can eliminate the additional expenses by paying for the goods through foreign exchange platforms that offer savings on international payments.

Transporting Options

When transporting your goods to the UK, there are several options to choose from. Airfreight is used typically when transporting small or high-value items needed urgently. Goods are placed in a specially designed freight plane or a regular passenger aircraft.

Sea freight is used when importing goods from the Far East. It’s a perfectly suitable way to move large volumes of goods worldwide.

Rail transport and the road network are other cost-effective ways to move large volumes of merchandise within Europe easily.

At 3PLWOW, we offer to pick and pack solutions to ensure timely delivery to the end customer. We’re a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that allows efficient handling of the supply chain process when importing goods from anywhere outside the UK. Our eCommerce fulfilment service has helped various online businesses expand their customer base amidst the pandemic.

For more information and details about their services, get in touch with us today.