So you want to find out how to import to Australia? That's great to hear! Importing is one of the most rewarding trade based businesses you can get into.
Importing goods from overseas for your business will give you the market advantage over your competition. Not just will you obtain access to a much larger variety of goods, but you’ll more than likely improve your profit margins by cutting out the middleman (the Australian wholesaler).
Other advantages include:
1. Lower product costs in a lot of overseas countries. Due to much cheaper labour costs in a lot of Asian countries, their manufacturing expenses are less than for an Australian manufacturer.
2. Obtaining a top quality product not obtainable anywhere else in the world - eg. Japan has a good reputation for supplying quality electronics, & Italy makes superior leather handbags.
It’s really not that tricky to launch your own profitable importing business. Don’t let a fear of the unknown put you off (like I did at first), just bite the bullet and get started!
How to Import to Australia
Step #1 - Research a Potential Niche
Miss this step, and you risk importing items that you can’t sell! Something I’m sure you don’t want to do. Before you do anything, take the time to look into your market to find out things like if there’s enough buyer demand for your items & discover who your competition is.
Step #2 - Locate Your Supplier
There are literally millions of potential overseas suppliers - manufacturers, wholesalers, trading agents - that would love to sell to you. You have to sort through them all & find those that can offer the best deals on a good quality product and can deliver the product on time when you need it.
Step #3 - Are There Any Particular Regulations For Your Merchandise?
Australian Customs do place some restrictions on the importation of particular products into the country. While most general products aren’t restricted it’s a very good idea to check with Customs first. It’s much easier to find out beforehand than once your goods have already landed and Customs have contacted you with a problem!
Step #4 - Arrange For Freight to Australia
The 4 freight methods you can choose from are sea freight, air freight, the postal system or international courier. There are pros and cons for each method so it really just boils down to whatever will work best for your particular shipment. A reputable global freight company should be able to advise you on what is the most cost efficient freight option for your goods.
Step #5 - Make Payment
The quicker you pay the invoice from your supplier, the sooner your goods will be shipped. Just make sure you don't pay by cash in advance.
Step #6 - Customs Clearance
Fill out the necessary paperwork for Customs so they can clear your goods quickly. You'll also need to pay any appropriate taxes and stamp duty.
Step #7 - Begin Selling For Profit & Do the Same Again!
With a bit of thought and planning, importing to Australia actually isn't that difficult. You don't need to be a big business or have tens of thousands to spend to get started (I started importing with less than $500). Importing is a business that almost anybody can do.
