Anyone with importing by sea experience? FOB

[slim_boy_fat]

I got a quote from Shippo this afternoon. Seems FOB from the manufacturer and then Shippo with Maritime insurance is the way to go.
Shippo take responsibility from the rail of the ship to the kerb of my unit.

Works out to be £10K cheaper than buying a unit from the UK (which still has a 12 week wait to arrive from China!).

It's more years than I care to think about since I dealt with Bills of Lading, Customs regs, Export Credit Guarantees, Exchange Control [remember that ] etc and it's undoubtedly changed significantly in the interim, but the breadth of knowledge, experience & 'proper' access to specialist information among the Members here is exceptional & second to none.

 

[Wightsparks]

I'm in the process off importing something weighing a couple tonnes, and I was told to avoid letting the seller use their own shipper, as they typically get a subsidised rate knowing the the UK agent will shaft you for fees.

This - esp from China do NOT let the manufacturer organise shipping at a bargain rate - they get a huge kickback from the shipper who shafts you on charges. I almost fell for that one!

I used Steve at http://www.oceaninternational.com/ in Southampton a few years back to ship 800Kg machinery from China - they were excellent

 

[m_c]

I dont see how, or why. More like an interweb myth. I imported from ROC, Taiwan, and the States for 20yrs The only time I’ve had problems was shipping my pickup (and UPS but thats a whole book). It was only 150usd to get it from the seller to the port gates. It cost another 200dollars to get it over the union line. I could have chosen not to pay the 200, but the chance of it sitting on the dockside for months, or never to be seen again was a real possibility. In the end I trusted the seller (autodealer in Appling GA to ship and pay union line fees (bribe) I used a shipper* over here to arrange shipping and customs. I arranged insurance.

If the shipper pays shipping that’s to the destination postside. You then need to get it from there through customs and into your hands.



*Kingstown Shipping very very helpful. Certainly use again.

As @Wightsparks says, the seller gets a kickback from the shipper, who then bills you more for their "services", which is why sellers are often keen for you to agree to CIF/CFR.
I spoke to a couple companies, and they both said avoid CIF/CFR. Either go EXW/FOB or DDU/DDP. More so if it's coming into a port 300 miles away, as you can't really pop down to deal with it yourself.

I did speak to my neighbour about it, as a big part of his job is dealing with container shipping, and although LCL (part container) isn't something he's ever dealt with, he could quite easily see why the LCL specialists said the above.
His suggestion was if the LCL cost is nearing full container cost, I would probably be better paying for a full half size container, and getting it shipped to Grangemouth and collecting it myself. However that had the slight issue of 2 tonne of machinery that could freely slide around the container with nothing else to wedge it in place..

 

[MattH]

As @Wightsparks says, the seller gets a kickback from the shipper, who then bills you more for their "services", which is why sellers are often keen for you to agree to CIF/CFR.
I spoke to a couple companies, and they both said avoid CIF/CFR. Either go EXW/FOB or DDU/DDP. More so if it's coming into a port 300 miles away, as you can't really pop down to deal with it yourself.

I did speak to my neighbour about it, as a big part of his job is dealing with container shipping, and although LCL (part container) isn't something he's ever dealt with, he could quite easily see why the LCL specialists said the above.
His suggestion was if the LCL cost is nearing full container cost, I would probably be better paying for a full half size container, and getting it shipped to Grangemouth and collecting it myself. However that had the slight issue of 2 tonne of machinery that could freely slide around the container with nothing else to wedge it in place..

Shippo are quoting a 20ft FCL.

 

[DAPPH]

But not the one I had when I was lead singer in a boy band back in the 80's.

He ripped us off for every penny we earned, which is why I ended up driving trucks for a living. All I have to look back on is the memories and my paisley patterned Crimplene suit with matching cummerbund. Those were the days .

Cheer up they might be back in fashion .......soon

 

[DAPPH]

I got a quote from Shippo this afternoon. Seems FOB from the manufacturer and then Shippo with Maritime insurance is the way to go.
Shippo take responsibility from the rail of the ship to the kerb of my unit.

Works out to be £10K cheaper than buying a unit from the UK (which still has a 12 week wait to arrive from China!).

I was advised that the passage time for anything coming from china by ship is usually 80 to 85 days which includes factory lead time . Did you know you only pay for cubic metres of space taken up not usually by weight .

 

[MattH]

I was advised that the passage time for anything coming from china by ship is usually 80 to 85 days which includes factory lead time . Did you know you only pay for cubic metres of space taken up not usually by weight .

ignoring lead time the shipping estimate is 66 days, so with the factory lead I’m assuming 90 days.

 

[MattH]

Thanks for all the info guys.

After engaging with Shippo and digging into the other info I have now placed an order for the machine in China.

Now for the excruciating 3-4 month wait for then new workshop toy to arrive!

 

[Maker]

Im sure we're all curious; what is it?

 

[MattH]

Im sure we're all curious; what is it?

1KW Fiber Laser

 

[Richiew]

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@MattH That's hugely impressive! What will you be making with it? [anything you like, I suppose ]

My thoughts were "No, Meester Bond, I expect you to die"

 

[MattH]

@MattH That's hugely impressive! What will you be making with it? [anything you like, I suppose ]

My thoughts were "No, Meester Bond, I expect you to die"

it will be cutting decorative wall art, plaques and signs etc that will be powder coated.

I did think of Goldfinger earlier, amazing that what was once James Bond fiction is now affordable for small business.

 

[Kayos]

A customer of mine works at a company that makes lasers, mostly top secret but he told me they supplied one to a clothing firm, they use it to make jeans look aged or something, apparently all the young kids like them

 

[colnerov]

it will be cutting decorative wall art, plaques and signs etc that will be powder coated.

I did think of Goldfinger earlier, amazing that what was once James Bond fiction is now affordable for small business.

You'll be wanting an island base next.

 

[R-D-R]

That looks cool, I've shipped and flown a few things its amazingly easy with an agent and opens your eyes to deals all over the world. Best was my BBQ it was 1k cheaper to buy in the US and have it shipped by Virgin Air freight to East mids airport ! only took 5 days end to end and was waiting on a pallet with all the paperwork done at East Midland airport.

 

[fizzy]

It's more years than I care to think about since I dealt with Bills of Lading, Customs regs, Export Credit Guarantees, Exchange Control [remember that View attachment 240916] etc and it's undoubtedly changed significantly in the interim, but the breadth of knowledge, experience & 'proper' access to specialist information among the Members here is exceptional & second to none.

As soon as the B word happens it will be the norm - at the moment a pallet to Germany or Spain or vice versa is as easy as shipping to Birmingham. God help us soon
£40 just for the clearance paperwork - that is a lot on a £90 pallet.
We are going to have to become full on customs agents by the look of it.

 

[fizzy]

I got a quote from Shippo this afternoon. Seems FOB from the manufacturer and then Shippo with Maritime insurance is the way to go.
Shippo take responsibility from the rail of the ship to the kerb of my unit.

Works out to be £10K cheaper than buying a unit from the UK (which still has a 12 week wait to arrive from China!).

How much is the insurance? Our rate is about £60 for $20,000 through our Lloyd's partner.
We could have sorted this only just spotted it. Try not to as there is so little money in it for the effort involved.

 

[Brad93]

1KW Fiber Laser

All Schneider contractors and wiring looks spot on.

 

[Brad93]

1KW Fiber Laser

The quality of that cutting is fantastic.