[mr_dimsum]

Hello,

I am importing a relatively large import of goods from France (about 50,000 HKD in value).. It will be arriving into Hong Kong, as my business' new distribution center is actually located within the city.

I have never ordered from a European distributor or for that matter, have barely ever ordered from Europe at all. Will I be charged any form of taxes for the goods?

I don't know how VAT works, nor am I really aware of any form of taxes for goods that will be coming into the country under my name.

If anybody can inform me of the logistics behind this, I would truly appreciate it. Being from Canada, I haven't even a clue as to how it works and felt it'd be a great answer to the minds at GeoExpat (as I have found scant information) on the situation.



Cheers,
Danny

[kombuchakid]

Well if it does not contain alcohol,tobacco or petrol/diesel you should be alright.
Remember that perfume/eau de cologne usually contains alcohol.
In any case your freight forwarders should be up to handling this.

[mr_dimsum]

I've never used a freight forwarder and have little knowledge of it. Up until this point, we have simply been using traditional couriers that have handled the entire process of shipping.

Would it be more affordable to use a freight forwarder rather than traditional services such as regular post and private couriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL)?

Can you recommend any freight forwarders that has experience with handling shipping to and from Hong Kong?


Regards

[HKChigger]

Hey Mr. Dimsum,

I think using a Freight Forwarder is a good idea. Where in France is the shipment coming from and I will let you know the best forwarder to use on that end and the best agent for this end.

Drop me a pm and we can talk,

Chigger.

[Boris]

It also depends upon the volume ( CBM = Cubic Metres ).

Will it come sea freight or by air?
I would also advise against using DHL who have the habit of charging taxes on cargo when it really isn't chargeable.

[mr_dimsum]

Thanks for your help!

The parcel itself will not be significantly huge in size. I would guess it would be no larger than 1 metre for each dimension (length, width, height) and it weighing around the 15-30 lbs. bracket.. I know these numbers are relatively vague, but at this moment, I don't have any final confirmation as to any of it, and am hesitant to complete payment on the order before figuring out all these issues.

With a freight forwarder, will they be able to handle the entire shipping process so I can be void of using such services as DHL, UPS, FedEx, or do they primarily just handle the paperwork, etc., that would be involved in safely bringing it into the country?

I've looked into it online after you mentioned it, but haven't found much in regards to specifically what they do.



Cheers

[neha]

If your weight of the shipment is about 15 kgs then there i sno point in using a freigh forwarder as they have minimumweight required to get the special rate on freight plus u have to pay local transportation charges for them to deliver the parcel to you which can range from a minimum of HKD 300-500. I would suggest using EMS, or UPS, FEDEX, DHL because they will clear customs and also will deliver it to your address

[Boris]

Originally Posted by neha

If your weight of the shipment is about 15 kgs then there i sno point in using a freigh forwarder as they have minimumweight required to get the special rate on freight plus u have to pay local transportation charges for them to deliver the parcel to you which can range from a minimum of HKD 300-500. I would suggest using EMS, or UPS, FEDEX, DHL because they will clear customs and also will deliver it to your address

Spoken by someone who doesn't know much about the subject. Absolute rubbish.

Firstly with a cbm of 1 m3 ( 1 x 1 x 1 ) actual mass weight may be as you say. HOWEVER - the main airfreight shippers have to calculate the VOLUMETRIC weight.

See here for an online calculator when you have your exact dimensions ( http://www.online-calculators.co.uk/...ric/weight.php
) This is the weight for which you will be charged and this calcs at slightly less than 167 kg

You should have no problem getting any forwarder to do this. HOWEVER remember to insure any valuable cargo. FYI Also - An airway bill does not have the same standing as a Sea Freight Bill of Lading. So if it gets delivered to the wrong people you have no come back.

I have noticed that HK post actually considers airfreight on measured weight which is why I always use them ( they have a good tracking web based system ) over the main couriers and even EMS. Check out your local postal service for air shipments to HK. Its often overlooked.

Also for taxes go to the Customs site for HK Government. All the info is in it.

[mr_dimsum]

Thanks for all the help everyone..

I just did some more research on VAT, and discovered the following:

The Value Added Tax, or VAT, in the European Union is a general, broadly based consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies more or less to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in the Community. Thus, goods which are sold for export or services which are sold to customers abroad are normally not subject to VAT. Conversely imports are taxed to keep the system fair for EU producers so that they can compete on equal terms on the European market with suppliers situated outside the Union .

So this means that I will not be charged VAT on my imports from France? Is there any documentation anywhere I can take a look at regarding Hong Kong's shipping and taxation policies? A friend of mine from the city had told me he pretty much was never charged any form of taxes, etc. from importing stuff from abroad, so I just wanted to confirm this statement.


Cheers!

[jeannehk]

Your import shouldn't be submitted to a GST/VAT in Hong Kong unless you're importing dutiable products like cigarettes, alcohol etc as previous posters said.

As for the shipping you could try Chronopost (which is the speed post service of the French Post). Here's their webpage and postage calculator . http://www.chronopost.fr/transport-e...roduits-tarifs
I believe their counterpart in HK is SpeedPost so the package will be delivered to your door. I hope it helps.
J