0:00Every import, in any country, follows roughly the same ten stages.
0:05From the first idea to goods on your shelf.
0:09Stage one, decide what to import, and confirm it is legal to bring in.
0:14Stage two,
0:16register your business and get the numbers or licences you need.
0:20Stage three, find and vet a supplier.
0:24Stage four, agree a contract, a price and an Incoterm.
0:28Stage five, pay a deposit or arrange financing.
0:32Stage six, the supplier makes or prepares your goods,
0:36ideally with quality checks along the way.
0:40Stage seven, the goods are packed, documented and shipped.
0:44Stage eight, they transit to your border.
0:47Stage nine is customs clearance:
0:50the declaration, duty payment and release.
0:53And stage ten, delivery to you, receiving, and recordkeeping.
0:58Now notice something.
1:00Money and documents move in the opposite direction to the goods.
1:04You often pay before you receive anything.
1:07And the invoice, packing list,
1:10bill of lading and certificates have to arrive at, or before, the goods.
1:15Otherwise customs will not release them.
1:18Missing a single document can hold a container at port for weeks.
1:23So document discipline is as important as sourcing skill.