Customs Clearance: Three Essential Tips for Importing Whitegoods

Importing whitegoods such as refrigerators, air conditioners and cookers can be a challenging process. In general, there are rules which are imposed around the world on the standard of manufacturing major appliances. The stringent regulations are designed to minimise the impact of using these machines on the environment.

Unfortunately, the standards are not universal. Therefore, one cannot bring in all whitegoods into the country without proper clearance. If you are not cautious when handling the issue of moving appliances, you could end up losing a lot of money due to customs clearance problems. If you are planning on importing this type of merchandise, you should consider these practical tips for ideal success.

Understand the Rules

You should not purchase whitegoods before understanding the regulations imposed in the country. This information is particularly important if you are planning on importing refrigerators and air conditioners. Some low-quality goods contain ozone-depleting coolant as part of the structure. These appliances are not allowed because they do not meet the national standards.

Therefore, as you are preparing to import these products, you should study the Customs Regulations on Prohibited Goods. For instance, if you are interested in bringing a good which might contain harmful gases, you can check Schedule 10 which outlines rules on ozone-depleting substances.

Choose Trustworthy Manufacturers

You should select well-known and trustworthy manufacturer when importing whitegoods where possible. This choice can help you avoid a lot of delays in customs clearance and the loss of money due to failed tests. In general, if the whitegoods manufacturer already supplies a lot of goods in the local market, they will be aware of the regulations on Prohibited Goods. Therefore, the process of clearing the appliances which are known to meet the required standards will not be complicated and long.

You should note that you can make the customs clearance even smoother by having the supplier provide a specifications sheet. This document will show information on issues such as pre-charged gases in appliances, allowing for quick assessment.

Consult a Customs Broker

Finally, you should think about hiring an experienced customs broker to handle your whitegoods importation process. The expertise is invaluable because you cannot grasp the intricacies of the industry by only reading. When choosing your broker, you should ensure that they are well-versed in the regulations governing Prohibited Goods. This expert will help you assess the condition of the appliances that you would like to import early. Consequently, you will know whether the items meets the national standards or not before making major decisions.