Chapter 16a
Importing
Let’s Import
Several key steps to the process:
1.
Product/industry knowledge
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
2.
3.
4.
Classification HTS
U.S trade balance (by product)
U.S. imports by countries of origin - statistics
Trade shows (based on country and industry)
Industry associations
Identify potential foreign suppliers – many sources
Qualify suppliers
Import goods into U.S.
Let’s import some “Beer”
Product/industry knowledge
Identify product classification number (HTS)
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff_current.asp
Select your product
“22060090”
Then see results . . .
Product/industry knowledge
Results will show
import volume and
duties (if any)
Notice our product
duty is 4.2 cents/liter
U.S. Trade Balance by product – Step 1
http://instruction2.mtsac.edu/rjagodka/IntePage.htm
U.S. Trade Balance by product – Step 2
Enter the HTS # - then “Submit” to see results . . .
U.S. Trade Balance by product – Results
- Exports -Imports -Trade balance
By year, along with transportation mode
US Imports of “220300” by Country – Step 1
Identify top countries of origin
for our imports:
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp
Need to set up a FREE
account – then go to this page:
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/query.asp
Enter into the form:
Customs value
Actual
Select year(s)
Annual
Enter in the HTS code
Aggregate
All countries
Display all countries separately
All country sub codes
Aggregate all
All country sub codes
Aggregate all
Click “Proceed to Next Step”
US Imports of “220300” by Country – Step 2
On the next page:
- Show all records
- Sort based on 2012
Click on “Run Report”
US Imports of “220300” by Country – Results
View results:
Lists Dollar value for U.S. imports
of our commodity from each
country, along with the percent
change
(in descending order by most
recent year total)
This can easily be modified to look
at multiple year trends …
Can also be modified to list U.S.
exports by country …
Just need to modify the search
Product/industry knowledge
Research trade shows
http://directory.tradeshowweek.com
http://www.eventseye.com
http://fita.org/tshows.html
http://www.biztradeshows.com
http://www.tsnn.com
My favorite:
http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/database/j-messe/
http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/database/j-messe/
Identify keyword
(or select by industry, date,
or country), then sort by # of
exhibitors (or date or space)
Results show full trade event
information
Visit their web pages – find
exhibitor directories
Let’s click on the link for
trade show details . . .
Trade Show Details . . .
Trade Show details
Has a link to the trade show
exhibition management web site
Let’s click it to go there . . .
Trade Show web site
Results show exhibitors list
for suppliers that sell “beer”
Click on links for details
Product/industry knowledge
Associations Unlimited (on-line) - Available FREE
http://databases.lapl.org/
(Get a library card to access on-line)
Click to see Details
Product/industry knowledge
Industry association home
pages give full details:
Contact them regarding
industry trends
Identify potential foreign suppliers
Many great sources of supplier contacts:
Trade Shows
Go to trade show web site
Obtain Exhibitor’s directory for previous show
Industry Associations
Inquire about mailing/contact lists for sale
Obtain previous issues (on-line) - look at ads
Identify potential foreign suppliers
There are many types of suppliers:
Manufacturers
Wholesalers/distributors
Retailers
Traders
Channel conflict may mean better prices
Buying 2nd tier
Identify potential foreign suppliers
http://www.solusource.com/ (ThomasGlobal)
Worldwide mfg and wholesaler contact portal
http://www.infobel.com/en/world
Yellow pages for the world
Identify potential foreign suppliers
http://www.alibaba.com
http://www.ec21.com
Identify potential foreign suppliers
http://us.kompass.com/
http://www.toocle.com/
Identify potential foreign suppliers
http://www.commerce.com.tw
http://www.corporate.globalsources.com/
Identify potential foreign suppliers
http://www.searchenginecolossus.com/
Obtain country-specific results
Use local search engines
Zepol.com
Identify top countries of origin (for actual shipments to the U.S.)
2010 1
Data
2
Trend
Data
Zepol.com - Trade IQ
TradeIQ™: 100 million bills of lading (actual shipment details) ... and counting!
Competitive Intelligence – See what your competitors are importing and exporting to and from the United
States. View specific suppliers overseas and product descriptions.
Lead Generation – Easily create lists of U.S. importers and exporters that meet your requirements for
volume, geography, and container type.
Supplier Sourcing – We’ll help expand your list of suppliers who can adhere to your quality standards,
shipment volume, and other requirements.
Market Analysis – You can make smarter decisions based on tangible, scalable data, and achieve higher
levels of analysis on the products you produce, sell, and import.
Legal and Brand Protection - Organizations with high-profile brands can fall victim to trademark infringement
and counterfeiting. TradeIQ™ allows you to execute specific searches to proactively protect your company's
intellectual property.
Here's how it works:
TradeIQ™ Import data is from the Automated Manifest System (AMS) of U.S. Customs. Shipment details go
back to 2003 and are available within 3 to 10 days of shipment arrival.*
TradeIQ™ Export contains U.S. export Bills of Lading for four major carriers. The information represents all
electronically available export data from the Automated Export System (AES) of U.S. Customs. Bill of Lading
records go back to 2010 and are available within weeks of shipment departure.*
* TradeIQ™ Import and TradeIQ™ Export are sold separately.
My opinion:
THE BEST !
If you are serious, go to
Their Website:
http://www.zepol.com
click on “Free Trial”
Where did you hear of us?
“Ralph at Mt SAC”
Obtain actual
Bill of Lading Data
Actual shipment details:
- Identify foreign/U.S. suppliers (shippers)
- Identify U.S./foreign importers (consignees)
- Full product description, quantities, etc.
Actual B/L for beer from Beck
1
ID the
firm
2
B/L
Qualify suppliers – Selection Criteria
Financial stability.
Previous experience and past performance with the
product/service to be purchased.
Relative level of sophistication of the quality system, including
meeting regulatory requirements or mandated quality system
registration (for example, ISO 9001, QS-9000).
Ability to meet current and potential capacity requirements,
and do so on the desired delivery schedule.
Technical support availability and willingness to participate as
a partner in developing and optimizing design and a long-term
relationship.
Total cost of dealing with the supplier (including material cost,
communications methods, inventory requirements and
incoming verification required).
The supplier's track record for business-performance
improvement.
Total cost assessment.
Qualify suppliers – Selection Methods
Obtaining a Dun & Bradstreet or other publicly available
financial report.
Requesting a formal quote, which includes providing the
supplier with specifications and other requirements (for
example, testing).
Visits to the supplier by management and/or the selection
team.
Confirmation of quality system status either by on-site
assessment, a written survey or request for a certificate of
quality system registration.
Discussions with other customers served by the supplier.
Review of databases or industry sources for the product
line and supplier.
Evaluation (SUCH AS prototyping, lab tests, OR validation
testing) of samples obtained from the supplier.
Typical Import Process to U.S.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Send initial Request for Quotation (or RFP depending on
product) and supplier information
Review company information, product Literature, pricing,
terms and qualify suppliers to create a "short list" of
potential suppliers
Request samples from supplier short list - compare on
quality, price and terms
Negotiate Price Quotation/Payment terms and INCOTERMS
Select a supplier or suppliers
FILM Negotiating: Multiple Equal Offers
Receive final quotation
Create Purchase Order (P.O.) and send to supplier
Consider Using Blanket P.O.
For Repetitive Purchases (12-Month Period)
Price and Delivery Schedule
Release Schedules Cut Ordering Lead Time
Can Obtain Quicker Orders (avoid Purchasing Departments)
Typical Import Process to U.S.
10. Receive Sales Agreements
11. Check sales agreements
12. Receive Proforma Invoice
Check Itemized costs/ validity dates/ lead times
Partial shipment/ transshipment allowances
Check documentation/ payment terms
13. Make Payment Arrangements
14. Proceed With Transaction
15. Clear goods through U.S. Customs and transport to
warehouse (use customs house broker)
Let’s Find Suppliers
Individual papers
Work in groups
1. Describe 3 information
sources (at right) –
A. For each, describe the
types of information they
provide.
2.
Which one (of the 3 you
mentioned in #1) was
most useful for you?
Why?
Information Sources:
http://www.zepol.com
http://www.searchenginecolossus.com/
http://www.alibaba.com
http://www.solusource.com/
http://www.corporate.globalsources.com/
http://www.infobel.com/en/world
http://us.kompass.com/
http://www.ec21.com
http://www.commerce.com.tw
http://www.toocle.com/