Need Help With Imports from U.S.

scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 15:35:

Good luck! I have heard that importing between US and Colombia is very difficult.
I have a friend that started an import/export business to bring in products from Brazil, he had a terrible time, lots of phone calls and paperwork.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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miamimike says on Aug 21, 2007, 16:03:

You haven't talked to the Correct Shippers or Freight Forwarders in Miami. These aforementioned have a lot "Connections" ; People who could mitigate the red tape by pointing you in the right direction. Maybe eome of the Shppiers you talked to perceive you as Competition. Maybe a personal Visit to these Area shippers would help. Most are located in the off-airport location west of MIA and between the Palmetto Expwy(826). One great resource may be one of the Professors who teach the Import/Export course offered at Miami Dade Comunity college as he is impartial.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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expatriate says on Aug 21, 2007, 17:14:

Any shipper can send your things anywhere. The hard part is receiving them in Colombia. Myself and my Colombian wife went through an awful lot to get our stuff out of Buenaventura and over to Cali. It also somehow cost us over $1000 to bring a small truck of our stuff from the Port to our apartment.

My Wife's sister went through literal import hell, requiring my physical, legal and "calling the police" threats, and my wife's Spanish, just to get her money back from a quack importer after waiting a month after the goods were already in Buenaventura. Another importer we found brought her things over to Cali the next day.

May I suggest talking to Allied. It appears that they handle the importing on the Colombian end also, which is the most difficult part. http://www.allied.com/DesktopDefault.aspx

Better yet, If you have an insider's knowledge, that is the way to go.

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arthur brode says on Aug 21, 2007, 17:52:

sounds familiar
about two years ago i shipped my personal effects through Buenaventura using a Maritime shipper and i was screwed every way imaginable.
and by the time my shipment arrived there was stuff missing.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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RAAAY says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:36:

Are you interested in importing as an ongoing business or ..........once off with your personal items etc.................?

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Gator says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:47:

A risky venture at best. Lots of shippers in the Miami area are totally prepared to give you a hand.

Some of the paperwork:

The following documents and procedures are required for ordinary or common imports:

(1) import registration or license form approved by MINCOMEX, when required;

(2) import declaration accompanied by the bill of lading or air waybill and the commercial or proforma invoice;

(3) proof of payment of import duties, value-added tax, surcharges and other fees collected through commercial banks;

(4) phytosanitary, mercerization and other certificates, when required;

(5) packing list;

(6) customs valuation and inspection, if necessary;

(7) an Andean declaration for all imports (with few exceptions) with an FOB value of US$5,000 and over; and,

(8) certificate of origin, when required.

Check

http://www.mincomercio.gov.co

http://www.buyusa.gov/colombia/en/doing_business_in_colombia.html

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Frank Rizzo says on Aug 21, 2007, 19:31:

wheeewww....well put Gator !!

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RAAAY says on Aug 21, 2007, 19:51:

Gator........this list looks daunting...........but in reality all these forms are prepared and filled in by a forwarder...........
Import license and registration with MINCOMEX is all done by an attorney and is only needed if you are operating an import business. If it is for a business the costs to get an attorney to do this are minimal in relative terms.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Frank Rizzo says on Aug 21, 2007, 20:08:

Raay, i've never filled out 1 form and have shipped literally "TONS" of goods for my homes into Colombia. Now i've got atty's with POA's so i'm not sure what they do, i'm sure i'm driving them crazy with paperwork......

I buy everything from europe or the the US and ship....as the quality of goods in Colombia is not always the best.

Never lost 1 thing, but had 1 lamp broken.

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RAAAY says on Aug 21, 2007, 20:15:

Frank............I totally agree with you.............I have shipped containers here from Italy and China and continue to do so.................I rarely see any paperwork except to put my signiture on some forms after everything arrives at my door............and of course........write the checks

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Frank Rizzo says on Aug 21, 2007, 20:21:

Well, it's important to give credit and respect where it's due.....I know Gator has probably more experience than 99% of us in Colombia.....and far, far more than myself.

I'm no expert on Colombia or shipping....that's just my humble experience.

So, who knows if this would hold true for others..... i've shipped home goods, furniture, gyms, electronics, etc. ONLY.....to this point....

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 21:31:

Gator is right on target, bunches of forms, telephone calls, and even after all that you can have problems.
My friend from Brazil jumped through all the hoops and finally the day came when he recieved his first shipment of Brazilian products and about 1/3 of them were broken, needless to say he was pissed.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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RAAAY says on Aug 21, 2007, 21:45:

I know Gator is right...........there are bunches of forms.............but for a fairly small price you get a professional to do all the legwork..................and there are good people in the business and a load of misfits..............just make sure to get the right outfit..................then the whole process is easy.................

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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scotty says on Aug 22, 2007, 00:10:

RAAAY, you have a good point. I was telling you about my Brazil friend that had so many problems, well as you just stated he finally got it together and found people that would indeed handle most of the work for him.
I think once you get into the business and start making the right contacts you can have a successful import/export biz, its just getting over that hurdle and making the right contacts.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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miamimike says on Aug 22, 2007, 01:35:

And don't forget when importing Perishables(food, vegetables ect)I would imagine the scenario changes 180 degress just as it does when importing perishables into the USA. My neighbor's niece works for a Miami Dominican Freight Forwarder for exports heading to the DR and she does all the above mentioned paperwork,a daunting task at best.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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scotty says on Aug 22, 2007, 04:43:

MM i wonder why they make it so fokin difficult, you got customs and shippers and all kinds of middle men that need to tough it or stamp it, what a freakin mess. I saw what my Brazil friend went through and i said screw that, theres gotta be a better way to make a living. However, not to be completely negative, once you get the system down and get all the contacts i hear the money is good...if you have the buys.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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miamimike says on Aug 22, 2007, 07:57:

Scotty-that's why the Profit margins in Persihable foodstuffs are Huge. Its an extremely HIGH risk business with tons of paperwork and you take your chances.If you time the market correctly, you make a Ton. Some Importers Today will make a TON of $$ off Fruit/Veg products by Hurricane Dean due what they had in refrigerated stock before the Hurricane stopped shipping or due to what was destroyed in the Carribbean or mexican farms. I used to take a Dominican ladyfriend who is in this business locally to some of her Buyers in the Miam i Market District(nw miami). Its a constant Battle for her to get her money as well as high finance charges. I often wonder why she does it but then she is a Gambler by nature.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Gator says on Aug 22, 2007, 08:15:

I was under the impression he was going t import as a business venture which is a LOT more paperwork than importing personal goods.

Yes, there are people in Colombia who will do the leg(paper) work. But you may feel like Diogenes of Sinope who went about ancient Greece vainly searching for an honest man.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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pilotguy says on Aug 22, 2007, 18:37:

Thanks Gator, that is what I am learning. Still with my lamp and looking. joe

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