Set up import business

Posted by Vegemite_Kid (451 days ago)

I am considering bringing in a container of baby items from Australia to sell. Any ideas on how I might go about doing this? Do I need to set up a company? What else do I need to consider? Any insights appreciated.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by Jan Lul (449 days ago)

Hong Kong is very easy in this respect: you are free to bring in mentioned merchandise as a private person.
However, if u want to sell it you have to register a company. Either a limited company or a sole proprietorship. The last one is very easy to do by yourself (fill in a form and pay the fee and you are in business).

When you bring in the container you should have a storage space to store your merchandise. Unless you have a large home, you will probably need to hire space in a godown. You can find those in the yellow pages.

If the container arrives and the goods have nowhere to go, then the container will stand on the dock and the shipping company will charge you for the time it remains there ('demurrage' charges). Not a good idea.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Vegemite_Kid (448 days ago)

Thank you very much for that - gives me a great start. I have a place for the container and its contents. I guess I would have to buy the container too - do you know if I get this from a shipping company? Anyone know of a good shipping company I can call to discuss this arrangement with?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Jan Lul (448 days ago)

I have never heard of a shipping company selling the container to a customer. Even if you could, it would probably be expensive, and what would you do with the empty container ?

(I am based in Hong Kong)