A lot of companies are always looking for a way to increase their profit by buying goods from cheaper manufacturers. These producers can often be in other countries. China is the most popular supplier of all kinds of goods, materials, parts, products, resources, and many other things.
Also, they are known as a much cheaper solution, especially when it comes to manufacturers from western countries. However, you have to keep in mind that regulations are different all over the world. That could lead to legal issues in your country in case you decide to import goods that are not allowed due to certain regulations, restrictions, and more.
There are all sorts of problems that you could face, like penalties, financial losses, and a bad reputation on the market. Therefore, the best solution before you choose to import some products is to consult with experts in this area. If you need legal support, visit this site. Also, here are some of the most common legal issues and how to fix them.
1. Restricted Products
It would be a mistake to complete the importing process before learning about details related to domestic regulations. The reason for that is that some types of products and materials require special licenses and approvals from the government to import. For example, medical equipment, drugs, supplements, military equipment, but also plants, food, animals, and many other things. Some products might be illegal in your country, and you could get into even more serious problems.
The best solution to deal with any of these issues is to always consult with an expert before you sign a contract and buy these goods. On the other hand, if you already ordered them without knowing that they might be illegal, or if there are some other requirements, legal support can help you. You will either have to cancel the shipment or get the missing papers.
2. Financial Background
Be sure to always check if the company that you are buying goods from is reliable and licensed. Also, relations between the two countries could represent a huge difference. For example, you could get into legal issues if you decide to buy goods from Russian manufacturers if you live in the UK, even though you used some other suppliers for that, and companies who are not from Russia or any other country with issued sanctions.
Another thing is to check the potentially criminal activities and history of the company you signed the contract with since the authorities in your country could mark you as their partner as well.
3. Not Meeting the Requirements
As we already mentioned, the rules are different from country to country. For example, Europeans enjoy Kinder Surprise, which is one of the favorite candies kids prefer for a long time. However, this product is banned in the US due to safety risks, and trying to import it there will get you in trouble. Furthermore, each country has a specific set of standards that regulates all areas and various types of products.
That can be related to restricted materials, packages, substances, food, medicine, and more. Also, if you try to avoid any of these rules and order a package no matter that it is restricted, your company will be held responsible for that, and you will face the consequences. That can be related even to details that some people might not recognize as important.
For example, if you are importing goods from the US, their labels will have different measures when compared to those in Europe. Therefore, you will need new ones that will use metric measures and weights. Also, the label must be in the native language of your country. Other details are important as well, like expiry date, the recycling process, storing instructions, user manual, and more.
However, facing some of these issues can be easily resolved. You will only have to print new labels that are suitable for the regulations in your country.
4. Don’t Forget About Intellectual Property
The rules related to trademarks are not working the same when it comes to the global and domestic markets. For example, you might be able to sell your product under a specific name in your country, but then you face legal issues when you start selling the same product worldwide. This is another reason to hire professional support that can help you research the global market.
The problem can be when you ordered a product from another country where it is licensed, but then you are facing problems when you start selling in your area since there is already a company with the same name and products. That is an example of the violation of intellectual property.
5. Be Sure to Pay the Taxes
It can be quite complex with importing since taxes are not always calculated in advance. Therefore, the authorities could be on your neck only after you start selling the same product in the domestic market. The solution for this is to register a company and make all your activities transparent. Be sure to always have a contract with the supplier so the officials can easily calculate the amount you have to pay in taxes.
Moreover, be sure to learn more about different categories and fees for importing them. That might change your whole strategy and business plan. A lot of countries are implementing higher taxes on certain products so they can protect domestic manufacturers from disloyal competition from third-world countries and huge developers like those in China.
Last Words
As you can see, all of these issues that you can face are not complicated at all. The key is to learn more about different laws and regulations before you even start looking for international suppliers. Activating bans and restrictions will only lead to penalties and potential canceling of your orders. That will lead to a waste of time and money.
Therefore, the best option is to always consult with someone who has more experience in this area so you can be sure that your activities are legal and that you are following the active regulations.
