If you are new to importing or exporting from the UK, you may be wondering what a freight forwarder does, what their role with your company should be, what they can offer, and what the responsibilities of the importer/exporter (i.e. you) versus the freight forwarder are.
To cut the jargon, the freight forwarder (the person or company that you appoint to handle your shipment) will do just that – they will handle your shipment for you. Freight forwarders oversee the worldwide movement of goods from country to country, and can offer services such as packing, documentation and customs clearance on behalf of exporters and importers.
Your freight forwarder should be able to offer any kind of level of service you require. For example, if you are completely new to importing and exporting your goods, you may wish your freight forwarder to arrange all aspects of your shipment. This might include a door-to-door delivery (i.e. arrange the collection of goods, and delivery of goods to the door for your chosen destination), insurance, customs clearance, and all services required to deliver goods from one country to the next. However, you may decide that you only wish for a delivery from door to port, or from port to door, and so on. Mercator can offer either a fully comprehensive freight forwarding service, or arrange smaller aspects of your shipment.
So what kind of role do you wish your freight forwarder to have with your company? Again, this entirely depends on your needs and the needs of your business. If you are a first time importer, or exporter, you may wish to make initial contact with your freight forwarder before committing to any international trade with other companies. Mercator Cargo can offer you advice on buying terms from abroad, provide quotes for exports from the UK so you can inform your buyers, and also advise what you can or cannot import from country to country. Our experienced team of freight forwarders can offer as much “hand holding” as you require.
What are your responsibilities, and what are our responsibilities? In a nut shell, our responsibilities are to get your goods to its destination for you as instructed, to inform you every step of the way of your shipment, and to provide reliable advice relating to your shipment. Your responsibilities as an importer or exporter vary from shipment to shipment. You are required to declare your goods accurately (i.e. if a declaration is made on your behalf as instructed, and it is not accurate, you are liable for this, not the freight forwarder), therefore it is essential you advise your freight forwarder of the accurate nature of your goods.
If you think that you might need the services of a freight forwarder, then give us a call, we will be happy to discuss your freight forwarding needs with you – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Mercator Cargo is a founding member of the global freight forwarding network Marco Polo Line (MPL). What does this mean for you, the potential (or existing) customer?
Marco Polo Line was founded with the intention to give independent freight forwarders (like Mercator Cargo) advantages that the bigger freight forwarders have traditionally enjoyed over the independent forwarders.
The first, and biggest impact that Mercator finds invaluable on a daily basis (both for our customers, and our operations in the office) is the personal contacts that we now have globally. Marco Polo Line holds annual conferences, where members can meet face-to-face and build working relationships. Mercator Cargo takes full advantage of these conferences, sending at least two members of the freight forwarding team. These personal contacts allow Mercator to arrange shipments seamlessly, using valuable local knowledge, and offer to-door shipments in almost any country in the world (thanks to our global partners).
The other advantage is that members are ‘vetted’, tried and tested (you cannot join MPL by just filling a form in). Membership is monitored, so if there are problems, these can be raised and eradicated. This means that our partner offices are trustworthy and reliable to handle your shipments, where ever they are in the world.
These are just a few examples of the benefits of choosing Mercator as your freight forwarder.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your freight forwarding needs – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
If you are importing goods into the UK for the first time, you will need to understand ‘customs clearance’ and your responsibilities with regards to paying VAT & Duty on your import. As freight forwarders, we can handle your customs clearance for you.
If you do not yet have an EORI Number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) then you will need to contact HMRC to obtain one. This number will be used as a reference when dealing with any customs matters relating to your shipments. It is a requirement to have an EORI number when importing goods into the UK, and it is fairly straight forward to obtain one (generally it takes less than a week to obtain this through HMRC).
I have my EORI number, what else do I need to know? The following list details some other aspects you will need to know/have before you import your goods:
What do I actually need on the day of import? In order for your goods to clear customs, you will need to have the following sent to us in advance of the import:
These documents will not only allow us to proceed with customs clearance, but will also allow us to calculate the amount of VAT and duty payable (this can be worked out in advance if required).
If you choose us as your freight forwarder to handle your import into the UK, and decide for us to handle your VAT & duty payment to HMRC, we will require the cleared funds to be able to release your shipment.
If this sounds intimidating, then please do not despair! As experienced freight forwarders we are here to guide our customers through this process, and are happy to provide a “hand holding” service for those new to the process.
Give us a call today if you have any questions about your import shipment with us – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
If you are looking to begin international trade: buying your goods outside of the UK and importing them, there are some terms of delivery which you will agree with your supplier that are important that you understand.
It is generally advised that you use ‘INCOTERMS’ when buying your goods internationally. INCOTERMS are a set of rules which have been issued by the International Chamber of Commerce. The terms outline both the buyer’s and the seller’s obligations and risk under given terms of delivery. The precise nature of these terms and their definitions can prevent misunderstandings between the buyer and seller and their obligations.
The following are the main terms used for delivery (there are many others, but generally these are the ones to know about).
EXW – Ex Works. The buyer is responsible for the door to door transport costs, destination taxes and duties, and marine insurance. It is the buyer’s risk from door to door.
FOB – Free on Board. The seller is responsible for charges up to and over the ‘ship’s rail’ (the ship’s rail being the point where the container is lifted off the quay and over the side of the ship). It is the seller’s risk up to and over the ship’s rail.
The buyer is responsible for the shipping costs from the port of departure to the place of delivery, marine insurance from the port of loading and destination duties and taxes.
CFR – Cost and Freight. The seller is responsible for the FOB charges and ocean freight up to the named port of destination. It is the seller’s risk up to the FOB.
The buyer is responsible for unloading from the ship, duties and taxes, and local delivery to the destination and marine insurance from the FOB.
CIF – Cost Insurance Freight. Same as CFR (above), but the seller arranges and pays for the marine insurance up to the buyer’s door.
We can offer all levels of service, from arranging every single aspect for you (e.g. door to door delivery, insurance, customs clearance, VAT & Duty payments, and so on), or just one part of your shipment for you, for example the ocean freight.
If this has left you baffled and you’re not sure what to do next, then give us a call to discuss your shipment. We’d be happy to help you make sense of this and assist you with arranging your import into the UK – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
If you haven’t dealt with international trade before, the business of importing your goods into the UK might seem like a bit of a challenge.
It is a good idea to appoint a freight forwarder with the required knowledge and experience to assist you with your shipments.
Not only can a good freight forwarder arrange the actual shipment for you from A to B, but they should be able to impart some useful advice when it comes to buying your goods abroad.
When buying your goods, here are some pointers that you may wish to think about before signing anything with a supplier:
– Ensure you know how much your goods are going to cost;
– Make sure you know how much it is going to cost to transport your goods to your warehouse;
– Make sure you investigate as to whether there are any restrictions on the goods you wish to import into the UK (an experienced freight forwarder will be able to advise);
– Ensure that your contract of purchase is sound;
– Make sure that you will get your goods once you have paid, or have legally agreed to pay.
These are just a few pointers to consider when looking to import into the UK. If you are at this stage, then it will be worth contacting a freight forwarder to obtain a quote for the importation of your goods. An experienced freight forwarder will be able to offer you a variety of different levels of shipping services – for example, a comprehensive service from door to door, including all insurance, customs clearance, VAT & Duty payments to HMRC etc, or just an aspect of your shipment, for example just the ocean freight.
If you’re looking to import goods into the UK, then contact Mercator Cargo today, our family-run business can offer you support and advice when it comes to importing for the first time – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Mercator Cargo is an independent freight forwarder, based in the UK in Portsmouth. Having been running for over twenty years, with the same management in situ, Mercator has a wealth of experience in importing goods into the UK via various ports. As an independent business, still run and owned by the same family, we are able to offer our customers a comprehensive customer service, and offer different levels of freight forwarding services depending upon your requirements.
From some locations, your vessel may only call at one port in the UK, in which case, you do not need to worry about making a decision as to which port to use.
Depending on where you are importing from, you may choose to import your goods into the UK via the Port of Southampton. Located on the South Coast of England, with good transport links, it may be your preferred choice for your cargo to be unloaded into the UK.
We also operate the majority of our UK imports through Felixstowe and Tilbury (often preferred choices of container ports for deliveries further North). Both with excellent transport links, and capacities to handle a great deal of cargo on a daily basis.
Your choice of import container port in the UK may also take into account sailing times of the vessel your cargo is on. Some vessels will just call at one container port in the UK, whereas others may call at several. Which port they call at first, may be your choice of unloading if you wish to have your goods in the UK slightly sooner.
If you’re looking for an independent freight forwarder to handle your UK import, then call us today to discuss your requirements – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Mercator Cargo handle regular air freight and sea freight shipments as exports to South Africa. The most common export goods are technical products such as precision engineered machinery, accessories and various hazardous chemicals.
As an independent freight forwarder, Mercator also sees seasonal exports, such as Gliders during the southern hemisphere summer period. These are usually shipped from Europe to South Africa under temporary export to take advantage of the good weather.
In order to import goods into South Africa, either yourself, or the end user must be registered with South African customs.
As part of a global network of freight forwarders, we have a very reliable and solid partner in South Africa who is able to give guidance on customs procedures. Our freight forwarding services range from delivery to door in South Africa, assistance with customs clearance, unpacking and other procedures.
So if you’re looking for an experienced freight forwarder to manage your export shipment to South Africa, email or call us – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Cargo Week Americas and Expo Carga are running this June in Mexico City.
The aim of the international trade exhibition is to allow members of international trade to meet and discuss business together. It is a great networking opportunity, and Mercator (and independent, international freight forwarder) will be in attendance this year.
Paul, our MD, will be representing Mercator Cargo on the Marco Polo Line stand (Stand Number 423). Marco Polo Line (or MPL) was set up as a global network for independent freight forwarders like Mercator. We are proud to be a founding member of this international network.
As a part of MPL, Mercator has strong relationships with other freight forwarders around the globe. This allows us invaluable local knowledge and personal contacts where ever your cargo goes.
If you are attending Expo Carga, please come and say ‘hello’ to Paul. And if you are looking to book a meeting as part of the ‘Cargo Week Americas’, we will be represented by Luis, who is fluent in English and Spanish. To arrange a one-to-one meeting, please email Mr. Alexandre Surman (who speaks fluent English) asuman@glidatex.com
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
