Oregon SBDC BizCenter
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—Marianna Shoun-Jones, Jones Sewing, Salem, OR
Supported in Part by Portland Community College
Importing: a compass
“Focus on the possible.” —Margaret Wheatley

Importing

* The ins and outs of successful importation of goods and services.

1: Getting Started

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  • Getting started on importing
  • Looking for a supplier? Where can I find one?
  • Thinking of assembling your products overseas?
  • What is "reasonable care"? How does this affect me?

2: Working with overseas suppliers

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  • What questions need to be asked, what details to be discussed with suppliers?
  • Working with product samples
  • Developing fully landed costs - what are the supplier's shipping and payment terms? What other expenses should I consider?
  • Protecting your intellectual property?
  • Do I have to pay duty - what is the Harmonized Code for your product?

3: Import logistics and documentation

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  • How will you ship the goods - international modes of transportation
  • Understanding international shipping terms - INCOTERMS
  • Customs brokers - what they do and why you should use them
  • What are the typical import documents?
  • Using Foreign Trade Zones

4: Paying for your imported goods

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  • How does your supplier want to be paid? Understanding international methods of payment
  • Payment in foreign currency - what, why and how?

5: Entering your goods into the U.S. - working with U.S. Customs

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  • Entry into the U.S. - what is it? Who can do it? How is it done?
  • Informed compliance/reasonable care - what does this mean for me?
  • Some other issues - wood packaging, hazardous materials, food and drug imports, textiles, quotas, international trade agreements
  • Internet purchases

6: Post 9/11 security issues

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  • Security and your supply chain - what you need to know
  • C-TPAT
  • CSI - Container Security Initiative
  • Advance Manifest Regulations
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