Quick tips on a small import - is it worth it?

[Ken Figenus]

I needed a device for my camera kit but you can only get it from USA and they always charge huge shipping costs - in fact it's more than the device itself. So I thought I'd get 50 of them over, get my still school age lad involved, and flog 'em as many of us want them but cant get them in UK - the shipping cost is sub $1 unit then rather than $27 per item.

I've seen the flowcharts on the admin for what needs to be done to get them through customs but wondered if anyone had tips? I can do the tedious admin but an agent might be better, but this project is small fry, initially... I did cost up UPS doing it but was nearing $300 all in on a basic $50 shipment.

Hopefully will be straightforward to get an Amazon acct or use existing Ebay to flog 'em - so many layers of cost involved though.

$26 wholesale, $39 retail in USA, then its VAT 20%, import duty 3%, agent fee (?), Ebay 5%, PayPal 3%, postage - slim pickings I fear which maybe why no one is doing this and why you can't get them! Then there will be cost of returns etc... slimmer pickings still!

Any tips very welcome

[LordHaveMurci]

Surely people will pay over US RRP if they’rebhard to get hold of?

[p4cks]

eBay and Paypal costs are 2.9% and 10% respectively.

[eltawater]

I would suggest that you try to gauge interest in the product as a group buy first and compile a list of interested customers from a suitable forum, camera club or wherever. You then have the assurance of a ready and waiting list of punters who will take it off your hands once the product package lands on your doorstep, and can organise bank transfers, paypal goods and services payment etc (or friends and family if people want to take the risk from a stranger).

At least then you won't have cash invested in stock which you have to expend even more cash to shift on ebay fees etc.
There's a gulf between "would like to have, maybe, and may idly flick through ebay listings for them" and "shut up and take my money!".

Edited by eltawater on Friday 1st January 22:00

[Saleen836]

Can I ask what the device is that many of us need?

[Ken Figenus]

Thanks guys - does anyone have any experience of using an agent to handle the import process and how to source one that is happy to deal with small quantities?

Good question on likelihood of sales and I can test the water via a pro forum in this field but I'm sure its a winner and with a demo video to back it up to show how much better it will make your life I'm sure we can shift them

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

This is what you - and other online sellers - are up against

https://sellercentral.amazon.co.uk/forums/t/where-...

[Ken Figenus]

Interesting. 30% cut is strong, but workable if it includes the postage?

I guess it works OK on what is taking over Amazon now - repetitive Chinese goods with bizarre brand names totally taking over. Exact same item with 10 x different bizarre brand names. I made a note of a few:

INDRESSME
Gimi Lift
JYBHSH
FFLSDR
HOMCOM
HAIHAOYF
HAIHAOYF
LYQQQQ
lqfcjnb
defway
XCKOPAPPX
FILMGOO
Lqfcjnb
LvTu
AOOSY
VicTsing