April Newsletter

Welcome

We're a little late with our newsletter this month (blame the editor!) so apologies if you were expecting to see us last week. Nonetheless, we've put together an interesting issue. Our feature article spotlights the procedures needed if you're importing clothing or other textiles from China - a huge growth area. In our Q&A section, we've picked out a couple of our recent enquiries relating to importation of foodstuffs and personal effects, two very common requirements. We've done a little survey around the office too, and have identified an abundance of multi-lingual talent, so take a look below and if your mother tongue is on the list, we can probably help you through customs clearance without resorting to English! As usual, we have a light-hearted 'coffee break story', just long enough for you to relish with your morning cuppa.

So enjoy the issue and don't forget, for any customs and importation queries, make our friendly and approachable Customer Services team on +44 (0)20 8231 0900 your first port of call.

In this issue

Textiles from China - Not Sew Simple
We Speak Your Language
Q&A - Everything you wanted to know about importing, but were afraid to ask!
Coffee Break Story: Fear of Flying?

Textiles from China - Not Sew Simple

Here we explain regulations around importing certain types of textiles and garments from China

Over the last 25 years China has seen sustained growth in its economy and huge increases in foreign trade. China's huge manpower and industrial capacity means it is able to produce large volumes of cheap clothing at much lower prices than producers in Europe. Measures have long been in place to control import volumes, which the EU have feared would harm European producers. Whilst arrangements have more recently relaxed towards an open trading situation, there are still strict rules and regulations which surround export of textiles and textile-based products from China, and their subsequent import into the UK. <

To support an orderly transition from the quota system to open trading, the European Commission and China have agreed to introduce a double control surveillance monitoring system for eight textile categories (4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 26, 31 and 115 - see below) for goods shipped from China on or after 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2008. The European Community licensing authorities will issue import licences only against original and valid export licences issued by the Chinese authorities. The arrangements apply to Chinese origin goods entering free circulation in the United Kingdom (UK) regardless of the country of consignment or how the goods are ordered or shipped.

It works like this - the Chinese government will issue an export licence to a manufacturer, corresponding to a given quantity of a specified type of textile or garment, destined to a named recipient, within a 12 month validity period. For example, a licence would be issued to XYZ Factory Ltd, to export 50,000 cotton t-shirts, between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008, to ABC Retailer Ltd in the UK. The garments covered by the export licence can be exported/imported in one consignment, or in multiple consignments over the period of the licence (for example, in 12 monthly batches).

In order to import these goods into the UK, Customs Clearance Ltd acting as UK representative or nominated agent (either for the Chinese exporter or the UK importer), will apply for the corresponding import licence. However we can only do this on behalf of you, the importer or exporter, once we are in receipt of the full export documentation, issued by the Chinese authorities. Only on receipt of that documentation, can we submit the appropriate customs entry, execute the clearance process and arrange for onward delivery of your goods.

It's our duty to point out to our customers that this process is required, without exception, for the named categories of textile coming from China. If you import any of a wide range of Chinese manufactured textiles into the UK, an import licence is compulsory - and to get your import licence, your manufacturer in China will be required to have a corresponding export licence. But be warned - not every potential exporter will necessarily be able to acquire an export licence. One thing is certain however - if you are not in possession of a bona fide licence, it will not be possible to import and clear your goods into the UK.

Our Customer Service Team is always on hand to answer any questions regarding importing and customs clearance, wherever your products originate, so please don't hesitate to give us a call if the situation is unclear for your specific needs.

Textile categories covered by double control surveillance monitoring:

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We Speak Your Language

We're a multi-cultural and multi-national bunch here at Customs Clearance Ltd - you might say we're a global community in microcosm. Whilst we all speak English of course, there are no less than eleven other languages spoken to bilingual standard. So if English isn't your first language, it's highly likely we can find a team member in our office to assist you in your own mother tongue - especially if that's one of the following languages:

• Algerian
• Arabic
• Czech
• French
• Hindi
• Italian
• Punjabi
• Slovak
• Spanish
• Swedish
• Urdu

But yes, in light of our feature article, we've noticed one glaring omission - so before you point it out to us, we'll say sorry..... that there's nobody in our team yet, who can speak any Oriental language. But we're growing fast, so who's to say that won't change?!

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Q&A - Everything you wanted to know about importing, but were afraid to ask!

Each issue, we answer in brief one or two of your more specific customs and importation questions.

Q: I am importing a specialist liquid foodstuff from Mexico. Can you assist with transport from Mexico to the UK and then onward freight to multiple destinations in the UK?

A: We can quote for transportation from Mexico to the UK and arrange customs clearance in the UK. You will need to get all the standard paperwork from the manufacturer and the shipper in Mexico, including health certificates (stating that the commodity is fit for human consumption), packing list, invoices etc. It will be in your interest to have the order packed in smaller retail-sized bottles rather than large drums as this makes shipping easier and affords you wider options as regards logistics and onward transportation, which we can also handle for you.

Q: I have shipped 2 pallets containing boxes of used personal effects from India. Can you arrange customs clearance at the port, and delivery to my home and if so, are there any limitations or restrictions.

A: We can customs clear your 2 pallets of personal effects. To do this, we need a full packing list for all the boxes and you will also need to complete a special customs declaration. We can deliver the 2 pallets to you intact, but we do not break these down as they go straight from the customs shed on to the truck for delivery. The driver will deliver to your door but is not able to bring boxes into the house, nor deliver to upper floors.

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Coffee Break Story: Fear of Flying?

We continue our series of 'coffee break' stories for you. Enjoy!

I never really took to travelling, and particularly flying - not that I'm scared of it, of course. If I have to travel though, it's by ground transport wherever I can. If I have to go out of town, it's National Express or the lottery pick-a-price for a train. But this time I'm off to the States, so I've got no choice - I can't afford for my journey to take weeks.

So I'm sitting in the plane on the runway and guess what - it's been delayed. They announced a little while back that there was a technical problem with the undercarriage - the landing sensor or something. I didn't really understand, but what I do know is I'd rather be on the ground than up in the air, so I'm relishing my last few minutes of calm, before take-off. Not that I'm afraid of flying.

Just when you want a little peace and quiet, a little time to yourself. The book you always wanted to read but never got around to starting. The newest album from your favourite band that you just downloaded onto your iPod. This is the ideal opportunity - the 'me time' starts here. So it's earphones in for a little background music, book in hand, assume the comfort position, and...

... There's a nudge from the guy in the window seat. He's trying to get my attention; I think he wants to use the toilet already. Keep the peace, smile - it's a long journey. Up you get. It's no problem, really. So I'm standing in the aisle and waiting. And waiting. And eventually he gets back, and sits down and I begin to get the feeling that he's about as keen on the impending flight as I am. He can't seem to relax, and in truth, even with my iPod and my book, nor can I. As each minute ticks by, with stewards clomping purposefully up and down the aisle, I feel my nerves rising. Perhaps chatting will help.

This guy seems nice enough, polite, generous in sharing his snacks, magazines, mints etc. If you're looking for somebody to take your mind off things, he's your man. I knew all about his upbringing before the flight had taken off; by mid flight I knew most of his family members and their funny little quirks - even those who lived the other side of the world. Now, we're well into the long flight. My new best friend is still going strong and only coming up for air every now and then - but I'll admit, he's taken my mind off the whole stress of being in the air. Then we got talking about work and the reason why we were both on the flight - and don't ask me why, but this really stuck with me.

Earlier that same day, he'd gone into his office not far from the airport, as usual. But when he arrived, he'd found his boss pacing the room, up and down - quite lost in thought. He looked troubled, that's for sure, so my travelling companion had quizzed him - what's the problem?

His boss looked almost desperate. "I don't suppose you have your passport with you, do you?", he'd asked. My friend replied that he hadn't. Then, without realising what the passport was needed for, added that he lived very close by and he could be back with it within a few minutes, if that was any help. Boy, in retrospect, for this nervous flyer, wasn't that a case of 'engaging mouth before brain'!!

It turned out the boss had just got off the telephone with a major customer who wanted the consignment the driver had just collected, hand-delivered to NEW YORK. Today. Yes, you heard me New York, USA today! This major client was a financial institution based across the pond and our guy was to hand deliver the consignment by 17:00hrs New York time. How interesting, I thought! How amazing they were even prepared to attempt it!

Anyway, by that time it was far too late to admit to a fear of flying (well, I wouldn't admit to it, IF I had it, either). So within half an hour he was home and back out the door again clutching his passport and the urgent documents, and heading for the airport. He boarded our flight with seconds to spare, still holding those documents which he was going to hand deliver. They needed to be signed for; he had to witness the signature, make a copy of the documents, leave the duplicates with the customer and head back to the airport within 3 hours, to get the next flight back to London. What a job! And nervous though he was, it was easy to see why he'd got the job - he was taking his responsibility very seriously indeed.

I asked him how he was going to achieve all this in such a short window. We were only due to land at 13:15 hours local time and it can take hours to get through immigration and then he would have to get into Manhattan in the height of the business day. I thought it would be a real challenge. But even though he'd never actually been to America before, let alone New York, he was confident. He seemed well briefed - he knew where he was going and how he was going to get there, and he was even expecting to find a few minutes to grab a pastrami-on-rye and a coffee before jumping back on the plane. He was cool and calm about the whole thing and I must admit I was a little taken aback.

As it goes, we did land on time. As soon as they announced "cabin crew, doors to manual", he jumped up and he was away with a cheery, "Call me sometime and I'll tell you how I got on". With that, he flipped one of his business cards in my direction and then vanished - just like that. I never saw him again, so he must have made it through immigration in record time.

It took me a while to get to baggage reclaim and even then my smaller case came out last. I actually thought it may be lost (these things do happen these days) but I was very glad when it turned up as it contained the product samples I needed for my presentation the next day. My company had hired a driver to pick me up - nice. But as I was coming through the airport, he called me and told me he was running a little late. He gave me the option to take a taxi or wait. I decided to wait as I knew it was a stretch limo and I'd never been in one before. I took the opportunity to grab a coffee and perched on a stool in Starbucks. It had Wi-fi, so to kill some time I browsed the web and looked up my travelling companion's business. I typed in www.customsclearanceuk.com to see what he was all about. His company looked impressive, very professional; the website was clean and easy to read, not cluttered or messy. A leader in their field, they specialised in customs clearance within the import/export industry and they offered bespoke services to all - I guess they were as good as their word, given my encounter today. I sent my friend an email urging him to keep in touch and to let me know how he got on. To my surprise a reply bounced back within a few minutes. He only had a Blackberry! I was still at the airport and he'd already made his delivery and was back in the cab on his way back to the airport. Clearly, the boy done good. I replied quickly, directing him to the food court for his last-minute pastrami-on-rye. I half thought we might run into each other before I left the airport but my driver showed up and I was on the road within a few short minutes.

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