Importing is tricky to manage well, and at this time of year the system is fraught with additional setbacks that can end in cost and time blow-outs for the unsuspecting importer. We have put together three major considerations for importers at this time of year, as well as suggestions on how to avoid paying more, or having stock caught up in unhelpful delays.
The Platinum® Freight Management Young Entrepreneurs Program awards qualifying recipients under the age of 25 valuable commercial benefits including free advice on best importing and exporting practice as well as a series of free and discounted Customs Clearances which Platinum® Freight covers costs of on their behalf.
Leading Australian Customs clearance agency Platinum® Freight Management warns of a growing trend for global manufacturers and their shipping partners to over-charge importers on Australian port charges for sea freight shipments. “The Australian importer is paying a premium for a service without knowing there are alternatives that may be just as effective and far less expensive.”
The Aussie dollar is low. Retailers are hurting.
Now is the time to health-check your importing/exporting processes and save.
The Customs process is one of the great unknowns for most businesses, even regular importers or exporters. Retailers can easily save thousands of dollars in extraneous charges just by better understanding the system and working smarter within it.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are under threat on so many fronts.
Equally, the customs clearance system is under extreme strain due to increases in importing statistics.
Let’s look first at the freight forwarding and customs clearance systems. Why are they under increased pressure now?
Our dollar is weak and falling further and SME retailers – indeed, all Australian retailers who import goods for sale – are hurting. Peter McRae, a leading Customs Broker specialising in SME importing, predicts that the hurt will increase in future too, as tax and importing reforms that are designed to protect Australian retailers will also pack a punch to the most exposed: SMEs.