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How should an export freight forwarder start to develop import business?

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I have been engaged in export freight forwarding and am quite familiar with the export process. But now I want to expand my business and also get involved in the import part, but I have absolutely no experience. I don't know where to start preparing and what to pay attention to. For example, in terms of relevant qualifications, processes, docking with customers and so on. Please enlighten me, great masters!

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Professional consultant answers

Sarah Zhang
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0

Document expertConsult

If you are an export freight forwarder and want to develop import business, you can follow these steps.

First, in terms of qualifications, ensure that the company has the relevant international freight forwarding business qualifications. You may also need to handle relevant certificates such as the Registration Certificate of Customs Declaration Entities according to the business type. You can consult the local customs department to confirm the specific requirements.

In terms of the process, import involves links such as booking shipping space, customs declaration, inspection application (for some commodities), and picking up goods. When booking shipping space, you should choose a suitable shipping company or airline or other transportation means according to the situation of the goods and reserve the shipping space. For customs declaration, you should accurately prepare various documents such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc., and declare according to the customs regulations. Pay attention to the accuracy and completeness of the declared information, otherwise it is easy to have situations such as inspection which will delay the time.

When docking with customers, clearly understand the customers' needs, such as their requirements for transportation time, costs, and the safety of goods. Then formulate a suitable transportation plan based on these and provide it to the customers, and communicate and feedback the progress to the customers in a timely manner during the whole transportation process.

In addition, be familiar with the policies and regulations related to imports, because these may change frequently. Only by mastering them in a timely manner can the business be carried out smoothly.

William Yang
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0

International logistics consultantConsult

To do import business, you must first be familiar with the supervision conditions of various imported commodities. Different commodities have different requirements. Only by figuring this out can you successfully handle customs declaration and so on.

Emily Liu
Emily LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Settlement and payment expertConsult

Learn more about the situations of some commonly used import ports, including terminal facilities, customs clearance efficiency, etc., so as to arrange a suitable transportation route conveniently.

Andrew Huang
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

Establish cooperative relationships with some reliable customs brokers and warehouses. With their help in the customs declaration and warehousing links, it will save you a lot of trouble.

Michelle Chen
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Business coordination consultantConsult

Pay more attention to the changes in exchange rates. Import business involves foreign currency settlement, and the fluctuations in exchange rates have a great impact on costs.

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