What is Import in Textile and Apparel Business?
Import trade refers to the purchase of goods from a foreign country. The procedure for import trade or import procedure differs from country to country, depending upon the import policy, the statutory requirements, and customs of different countries. In almost all the countries of the world, import trade is controlled by the government.
Import procedure in the apparel business
What is the Procedure to Import Or Import Procedure in Apparel Business?
Importer always follows some key steps of import procedure which have listed in the below:
- Trade inquiry,
- Procurement of import license,
- Obtaining foreign exchange,
- Placing the indent or Order,
- Dispatching letter of credit (L/C),
- Obtaining necessary documents in the import procedure,
- Customs formalities and clearing of goods in import procedure,
- Making the payment in import procedure,
- Closing the Transaction.
All the above processes have discussed in the following:
1. Trade Inquiry:
An inquiry is a written request from the intending buyer or its agent for information regarding the price and necessary terms on which the exporter and terms on which the exporter will be able to supply goods.
2. Procurement of Import License:
A firm or person cannot import goods in any country without a valid import license. An import license may be either a general license or a specific license. It should be noted here that, goods can be imported from any country under the general license, whereas individual license permits to import only from definite countries.
The importers are divided into three categories to issue the license, are-
- Established importer,
- Registered Exporter,
- Actual users.
Who is an Established Importer?
An established importer is a person, imported goods or materials of the class in which he is interested during the basic period prescribed for such class.
Who is a Registered Exporter?
Registered exporter importing against exports made under a scheme of export promotion and others have to obtain a license from the chief controller of exports and imports.
Who is the Actual User?
If the person [importer] imports goods for his own use in the industrial manufacturing process is known as actual users.
3. Obtaining Foreign Exchange:
It is one of the most important points of import procedure where the importer has to make payment for imports in the currency of the exporting country. The foreign exchange reserves of any country are controlled by the Government and are released through its central bank.
Necessary Steps to Obtain Foreign Exchange:
In Bangladesh, the importers have to submit an application in the prescribed form along with the import license to any exchange bank as per the provisions of the exchange control act. Scrutinizing the application based on the exchange policy of the government of Bangladesh in force at the time of application. Bangladesh Bank sanctions or rejects the release of foreign exchange.
4. Placing the Indent or Order:
This order is known as Indent. It contains the instructions from the importer to the quantity and quality of goods required, methods for forwarding them. All the required particular of goods, prices, etc. are not mentioned in the opened indent. A confirmatory indent is one where an order is placed subject to the confirmation by the importer’s agent.
5. Dispatching letter of credit (L/C):
The exporter wants to be sure that there is no risk of non-payment. Usually, for this purpose, he asks the importer to send a letter of credit (L/C) to him. A letter of credit is popularly known as L/C.
6. Obtaining Necessary Documents:
On the receipt of the letter of credit (L/C), the exporter arranges for the shipment of goods and sends an advice note to the importer immediately after the shipment of goods. After that, the exporter draws a bill of exchange on the importer for the invoice value of goods. Here, the shipping documents like the bill of lading, certificate or origin, invoice insurance policy, customer invoice, etc. also attached to the bill of exchange. These types of attached exchange documents are known as a documentary bill. This type of bill is forwarded to the importer through a foreign exchange bank which has an agent or branch in the importers country for collecting payments of the bill.
7. Customs Formalities and Clearing of Goods:
After receiving necessary documents of title of the goods, in this stage, the importers only concern is to take the delivery of goods when the ship arrives at the port and to bring them to his own place of business.
8. Making the Payment:
It is also one of the most important parts of the import procedure. Here, the model and time of making the payment are specified according to the terms and conditions as agreed to earlier between the importer and exporter, usually 30 to 90 days are allowed to the importer for making the payment of D/A and D/P bills.
9. Closing the Transaction:
The last step in the import procedure is closing the transaction. But if he is not satisfied with the quality of goods he will write to the exporter and settle the matters. The insurance company will pay him the compensation under advice to the exporters if the goods have been damaged in transit.
If you follow the above import procedure, it will be very easy for you to import your required goods from another country.
Mayedul Islam is a Founder and Editor of Garments Merchandising. He is an Expert in Garments Merchandising. Writing is his passion. He loves to write articles about Apparel, Textile and Garment Washing specially on Merchandising. Mail him at mayedul.islam66@gmail.com
Nice Information