Source products from overseas

In today's competitive global marketplace there are many benefits to importing goods and services, whether you do it regularly or on an ad hoc basis.

Types of products imported:

Raw materials
Components/parts
Finished goods
MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services
Technology

Advantages

Sourcing products from overseas may help you to:

Reduce costs
Take advantage of favourable exchange rates
Access products and technologies not available domestically
Provide product variety
Offer better quality products
Overcome domestic shortages
Reduce dependency on a limited domestic supplier base

Disadvantages

There are, of course, certain risks when importing:

Financial - currency exchange rate fluctuations and tariffs
Political - embargoes, sanctions or quotas on imported goods
Operational - goods arrive late or damaged
Regulatory - products may be subject to UK or EU standards, and may require product testing and certification
Cultural - negotiations fail or are delayed because of language and cultural barriers

Plan your requirements

The first step in sourcing products from overseas is to plan your requirements:

Objectives - what do you hope to achieve by importing?
Products/services - what do you wish to import? Be as specific as possible
Additional requirements - will you need after-sales support?
Warehousing - how and where will you store the imported goods?
Lead times - how quickly will you need the goods?
Budget - will importing goods be cost effective? Be aware of hidden extras

Sourcing products

Depending on what products you require and their respective availability you may have a wide or limited choice of suppliers. Key steps to follow:

Identify countries that supply required product
Identify specific suppliers from your preferred country(s)
Assess any country or regional opportunities
Conduct a financial analysis
Identify any risks

Choosing a supplier

You may decide to buy directly from the manufacturer/service provider or to use an intermediary. Whatever method you choose, there are some key factors to consider when choosing an international supplier:

Do the products/services meet your requirements?
How many years have they been operating for?
Are they financially stable? Make sure this is verified
Do they have any quality marks? Are these UK recognised?
Who else do they supply? Can they provide references?
Do they belong to any trade bodies or professional organisations?
What are their delivery schedules?
Are their terms & conditions satisfactory?

Sourcing suppliers

Finding the right international supplier can be daunting, begin by:

Asking business colleagues to recommend a supplier
Searching the web for international directories of suppliers providing the products/services you require
Contacting trade associations, local embassies and DTI trade desks for a list of potential suppliers
Reading international trade reports on key suppliers in your industry
Visiting the country of interest on a fact-finding mission

Preparing the contract

Once you have found a supplier, ensure that you draw up a contract that is satisfactory to both parties. Include:

Product pricing and terms of sale
Method of payment
Amendment clauses
Responsibilities of both parties
Other conditions of contract