Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Relocating With Pets to an EU Country

While moving to Europe may provide a virtual laundry list of exciting opportunities, traveling overseas with your furry friends can often seem a bit overwhelming when confronted with the myriad of descriptions of import requirements, quarantine timelines, airline regulations, and other flotsam floating along the currents of the web. Fortunately, traveling with your pets can be a simple, stress-free, and sometimes fun process, as long as you take the time to plan ahead and understand the intricacies of the import/export process.

To begin, realize that advance planning is crucial. International relocations for pets, just like their human counterparts, require months of advance planning and careful attention to paperwork and details. Find your resources early and figure out how to best utilize them. In the long-run, information is your best friend when it comes to Pet Relocation, and preparing a timeline will help to take the stress off both you and your pet's shoulders.

Here are some tips that will help to make your pet's trip as safe and comfortable as possible:

Crate Training - Perhaps the most important step in the entire process. By acclimating your pet to its travel kennel well ahead of the travel date, this allows your pet to feel comfortable in its soon-to-be travel environment. Not only do travel kennels serve as a means to protect your pet physically, but emotionally as well. The more familiar your pet is with its travel kennel at home, the more it will be used as a "safe zone" during travel.

Airline Selection - What may often appear to be the best route of travel for you is not always the best route for your pets. Very few airlines implement complete "pet-safe" programs, so it is very important to do your research and ask which airlines are most pet friendly. "Pet-safe" policies include, but are not limited to, making sure your pets are always climate controlled, never leaving them out on the tarmac, and making sure they are the last ones on the plane and the first ones off. In addition, a majority of airlines only accept live animals within certain outside temperature constraints, so seasonal traveling can often prove difficult. By using a "pet-safe" carrier, these climate restrictions can be easily avoided. When traveling to Europe, we recommend Continental, KLM, British Airways, and Lufthansa Airlines, all of which have excellent pet programs in place.

Import Requirements - Pets moving into the EU fall under the jurisdiction of Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council. In summary, with the exception of the UK, Sweden, and Norway, EU import requirements for all dogs, cats, and ferrets are as follows:

1) Microchip: Each Pet shall be identified by means of a microchip. No other form of identification is acceptable. The microchip used should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785- otherwise the pet will need to be sent with it's own scanner attached to the top of the crate.

2) All animals need to have Full Vaccinations:

Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Leptospirosis, (DHLPP) and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.

Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.

3) EU Vet Health Certificate (Form EC#: 998) - (Form provided to you by PetRelocation.com) - This is the standard Health Certificate to be filled out by your accredited Veterinarian. Although this certificate is technically valid for 4 months, it is recommended to be completed and endorsed by the USDA within 10 days of travel to avoid any customs issues upon arrival.

4) Government Endorsement (USDA when departing from the United States): The below referenced forms:

Microchip Implantation Record Rabies Certificate EU Vet Health Certificate

4. International Health Certificate: Your vet should have these in stock. It's a good idea to call ahead and ask. This is an international health certificate that needs to be completed by your vet within 10 days of departure. Depending on the logistics of your particular pet relocation and the specific health certificate being used (APHIS Form 7001 when departing from the United States) an additional USDA Endorsement maybe required on this health certificate.

5. All original documentation must travel with the pets.

International Pet Relocation Services - There are also many full service Pet Relocation agencies available worldwide which are more than able to facilitate all of your pet's travel arrangements. Services can include residential pickups and deliveries, flight bookings, airport check-in, customs clearance and import handling, assistance with health documentation, and anything else you or your pet might need. These services make life much easier, but with the service come added costs.

Export Import China Business - The Growth of Export Import in China

Thanks to the liberalization policy, the export import China business is now highly progressive and contributes greatly to the economic growth of the country in the last few years. China was included in the World Trade Organization back in 2001 which opened doors for global trading. The figures can speak well for itself. In the past 30 years, the average gross domestic product (GDP) was at 8%, a very significant growth rate. Overall, China now stands as the largest economy after USA. Experts predict that China could very well overtake USA after a few more years.

The significant economic growth in China is recognized worldwide. This proved to be very beneficial for China export business whose global market share to date reaches 58 to 60 percent. That is more than half of the market pie. The rest is distributed to other export players in Asia, Europe and America. As for China import, the country ranks third overall in the world after USA and Germany.

It is not always a smooth road for the export import China business. In 2008, the International Monetary Fund analyzed China's economy and computed a marked decline in GDP in the last five years (2003 to 2008). Approximately, they recorded a 12.7% decline rate in 2007 and 9.6% decline rate in 2008.

More particularly, the import industry recorded at least US$ 40 billion in gross revenue for December 2008, while the export figure is US$ 111 billion also on December 2008. This is at least 3% lower than the figures recorded on December 2007.

The World Trade Organization was a big help in the export import China business. It bridged China to many international traders especially in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong played a major role too. After the British turned over Hong Kong to China in 1997, Hong Kong became the major shipping port for mainland China and facilitated trading with other countries. Both the World Trade Organization and Hong Kong contributed largely to the China export business.

China mostly exports their main industrial products. The Chinese are excellent in the production of garments, textiles, electronics, automobiles, ammunitions and firearms. They also export products like mercury, magnesium, manganese, tungsten, tin, antimony, salt and barite. They rank fourth place around the globe in producing zinc, antimony, tungsten and tin. They are ranked second for salt production, and sixth place in gold production. They are also a leading player in aluminum production.

China is steadily surging forward and making economic reforms to further inscribe their name in international trade. You can expect export import China business to still move ahead and beyond other major players after a few more years.

What is the Difference Between Factoring and Forfaiting?

What is the difference between Factoring and Forfaiting and how can it help your import/export business?

During difficult financial times many import/export businesses are looking for new ideas to increase their cash crunches. Import/Exporting can have astronomical rewards because you can make a profit by getting the best benefits of two economies, a low cost production economy as well as a high purchasing economy. Much of North America and Western Europe import a large percentage of their goods. There are many opportunities navigating global economies; however almost all of these opportunities require large amounts of short term cash for purchasing, production, and transport. Factoring and Forfaiting are two key strategies to help importers and exporters to get a start in business as well as increase short term and long term cash flow.

Factoring is when a company trade account receivables that may take 30, 60, 90, or even 120 days for immediate upfront cash to pay for vendors, payroll, supplies, or other expenses. Factoring involves using a third party company who will provide cash upfront for a fee. Usually the third party will hold back a portion of the total invoice as surety i.e. a $100,000 invoice factoring company may give your $60,000 to $80,000. When the accounts receivable is paid the factoring company will return all of the funds to the exporter minus any applicable charges. Factoring companies prefer

Forfaiting is usually used for medium and long term debt (1-10 years). Similar to factoring the Forfaiting company will take full responsibility for receiving the payments from the purchaser (importer) in exchange for a letter of credit, line of credit, or cash to the seller (exporter). Forfaiting may by used for only one account or several accounts. The key difference between forfaiting and factoring is that Forfating companies keep a portion of the accounts receiveable whereas a factoring company will return the balance minus their fees.

Both financial devices require a few key parts. First the person or entity buying the goods or service must be creditworthy and pay their obligations on a timely basis. No one wants to offer factoring or forfaiting for a client that's a dead beat. In factoring a company that pays in 90 days versus 60 days may result in an extremely costly price for the exporter or company seeking the factoring. Remember these are just a new strategy in an arsenal of an entrepreneur or business buyer. Like all strategies you need to know all the costs involved, calculate your margins, and be prepared the best strategy for your situation.

China's International Freight Industry - Optimistic About the Future

Shipping companies and the international freight sector in China continue to encounter the effects of the global economic gloom as they face the start of 2010. Massive declines in demand for China import goods from the Western economies in Europe and the United States have had a knock on effect right across the freight forwarding industry in China.

China's Ministry of Transport has estimated that container throughput at ports in China will have decreased by 7% in 2009. In the first 9 months of 2009, China's ports handled just over 77 TEU, down 9% on the same period in the previous year. The impact has not been uniform, with some ports suffering worse than others. Year on year volumes at Shanghai, China's largest container port, fell 15% in the first nine months of the year and the second largest port, Shenzhen saw an even steeper decline at over 20%. This was because nearly half of the freight forwarding boxes handled at Shenzhen are China import bound for Europe and this international freight business has been particularly badly hit by the global economic slowdown. Meanwhile, some of the coastal ports such as Quindao and Dalian suffered smaller declines in container traffic and some, such as Ningbo, Yingkou and Tianjin saw positive growth.

However, entering the New Year for 2010, the freight transport industry in China is optimistic about the prospects for the future. Spokespeople for shipping companies and freight companies operating in the China freight forwarding industry are predicting growth in 2010. This point of view is backed up by a recent report on international freight trends by Deutsche Bank which says that throughput in China should recover strongly during 2010.

The securities firm has raised its forecast for China's 2010 export growth to 10% as China import comes back in demand in Europe and the United States.

This optimistic forecast is reflected in the continuing development activity in relation to China imports. For example, a sixth container terminal is being built at Waigaqiao Port and is expected to become operational in 2010 with an annual capacity of over 2 M TEU and 730,000 vehicles.

This will help consolidate the extremely strong freight transport infrastructure in China and bolster the country's position as trade resumes, following the recovery of the world economy and the inevitable continued growth of China imports as there is more disposable income and credit available in Western economies.

The likely continued economic development of the Eastern European countries are also likely to provide a further market for China imports as is improved relations between China and Taiwan.

One of the optimistic pointers for future development of the freight forwarding infrastructure in China is the increasing amount of consolidation as smaller ports tie up with larger ports. For example, Ningbo and Zhoushan ports have merged and this has spurred Shanghai to take equity stakes in Chongquing, Wuhan and other ports on the upper reaches of the Yangtse. Meanwhile, in Northern China. Qingdao and Dalian are joining forces with neighbouring smaller ports. The aim of the consolidation is to tap the group's advantages.

In this way, the main players in the freight services infrastructure in China are laying the foundations for a bright future and the various shipping companies and freight companies that use the ports will stand to benefit.

How to Import a Car Into India

Importing a car of foreign make into India is a nuisance. You need to maneuver around the authorities and this article will help you through the process.

The basics:
The car has to be a right-hand-drive. Left-hand drive automobiles are prohibited from entering the country (except for consulates and some other special categories). The Indian Government has entirely banned individuals importing cars whose engine capacity ranges from 1000 - 2500 cc. New Cars can be imported via the customs port at Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. Used cars can be imported from the Mumbai port only. Also, the used car cannot be older than three years (from the date of manufacture). The Exim policy of 2001 lifted quantitative restrictions on importing used cars.

On customs duty:
1) The ex-factory price is used for calculating customs duty.
2) The customs duty is a standard 102.16% on new cars
3) The customs duty is pegged at 159.87% on used cars.
4) Completely knocked down cars attract a customs duty of anywhere between 38 to 48%.
5) Under the EPCG scheme, hotels / hospitality establishments are subject to minimal duty / taxes. However, they are subject to certain foreign exchange requirements.
6) If you import from Europe, you will get a refund of the VAT (value added tax).

On transfer of residence:
The most popular way of importing a car to India is via the "Transfer of residence" clause, where any Indian (settled abroad) who is relocating to India can get his car along. He should have owned the car for atleast 12 months in the foreign country. Upon import, the car cannot be sold for 2 years (from the date of import). The NRI importing the car should have lived overseas for at least two year duration. The payment for the car should have been made abroad. The car must be imported within 6 months of the NRIs arrival into India. Under this scheme, the customs duty must be paid in foreign exchange. If a handicapped person is importing the car, then the customs duty may be paid in Indian rupees. Official permission is required before selling the car in India.

On who can import:
Any individual can import a car whose value is more than USD 40000. There are no restrictions on the imports of these cars. So as most of the exotics are above that value, they can be imported freely and not necessarily on T.R. The methodology adopted by Customs authorities in assessing duty on a motor vehicle is based on the ex-factory price on the date of original purchase.

Adjustments are made for:
Foreign nationals (including persons of Indian origin) married to Indian nationals, foreign nationals working in India, branch/offices of foreign firms, companies and institutions established in India, companies incorporated in India having foreign/NRI equity, accredited journalists/correspondents of foreign news agencies, Indian firms executing contracts abroad, charitable and missionary institutions, physically handicapped persons and honorary Consuls of Foreign Governments.

On Paperwork and Documentation required:
Cars costing more than $40,000 do not have to undergo homologation from the ARAI. If the cars value is less than $40,000, the vehicle has to be submitted for testing to the VRDE (Vehicle Research and Development Establishment), Ahmednagar, of the Ministry of Defence or the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), Pune or the Central Farm and Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Madhya Pradesh or any other notified testing agency by the Government.

The importing agency is expected, at the time of importation, to submit a certificate issued by a testing agency (notified by the Central Government) that the second hand vehicle being imported has been tested immediately before shipment and that the vehicle conforms to all the regulations specified in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The second hand or used vehicle imported into India should have a minimum roadworthiness for a period of 5 years from the date of importation into India with assurance for providing service facilities within the country during the five year period. For this purpose, the importer shall, at the time of importation, submit a declaration indicating the period of roadworthiness in respect of every individual vehicle being imported, supported by a certificate issued by any of the testing agencies, which the Central Government may notify in this regard.

Miscellany:
1) What's listed above is what the rules say. Please don't state that you saw a LHD (or something similar) since these rules are broken consistently. Bribing is rampant and some of the rules you read above may have been bypassed (unfortunately).
2) Beware of dealer rackets - There have been several well-documented cases of an imported car dealer manipulating the import documentation. In case the long arms of law catch up, it is the owner (and not the dealer) who is liable to pay duties, taxes and fines.
3) The rebadging racket is rampant in order to qualify for lower custom duties. For e.g. a BMW M5 may be rebadged to a BMW 525 and thus show a lower invoice price.
4) It's best to hire the services of a competent and reputable clearing agent who is well familiar with the process of importing a car. This can save you a lot of running around and headaches.
5) Since the customs duty on spare parts or completely knocked down kits is significantly lower, it is not uncommon for an importer to strip a car (of seats, headlights, tyres etc) and document it as a CKD.

Export Import - Largest Economy

Germany is one of the largest economies in the world. It is also the largest economy in Europe. The reason behind the leadership of Germany in world economy is its innovations and inventions ever since the age of industrialization. Since then, Germany has continued to produce products with superb quality.

In fact it is due to the quality products that Germany produces that Germany is considered as the world's second largest exporter in the world. Practically all countries all over the world seek for German products because the quality of its products is beyond question. In 2009, Germany was able to export $1. 7 trillion in countries all over Europe and in other parts of the world as well.

One of the most popular products of Germany is focused in engineering specifically automobiles and machinery. The craftsmanship of German made automobiles and machineries is excellently manifested in the quality of these products. Moreover, German made machineries are efficient and durable, thus many industries prefer to purchase these products despite the cost that entails with these. Moreover, some of the other engineering products that are exported by Germany include wind turbines and solar power technology. In fact, Germany is the leading producer of wind turbines and solar power.

The other export products of Germany include metals, chemical goods, motor trailers, electric machines, shipbuilding, and optics among others. The leading export partners of Germany include its neighboring European countries, and the United States. Germany also exports products to Brazil, South Korea, Canada, Japan, and South Africa. There are also a lot of leading German manufacturing industries that are not known only in Europe, but globally. In 2007, the top ten leading German companies were identified and these are Volkswagen, Daimler, Alliance, Siemens, E.ON, Deutsche Telekom, Metro, Deutsche Bank, BASF, and Metro. These companies are most recognized in the business world for their accomplishments and achievements.

On the other hand, Germany does trading with other countries as well. In fact it is also importing products from some of the countries in Europe and the United States. Germany's most popular imports include plastic products, food products. Moreover, Germany has also opened its doors to Asia's leading exporter, China. There are some imports to Germany from China as well. These products include precious gems, agricultural products, and minerals.

Indeed, Germany has come a long way in terms of exporting its products. The fact alone that its exports contribute significantly to its economic growth shows that German products are beyond compare.

Today, Germany continues to trade with other countries and maintain its economic ranking in the global economy. In addition, German products continue to lead in the global market as well. Despite the fact that these products are relatively expensive, people still prefer these products over the others for its quality.

The China Import Market - How to Win

The China import market is of increasing interest to many UK small businesses as the China economy continues to expand.

But freight forwarding from China is something that UK businesses see as something of a mystery, compared with freight forwarding to and from Europe and other more familiar countries.

It is important to take advice from a freight forwarding company with experience of China import as China is expected to continue to be the leading factory of the world, with its efficient manufacturing, low labour costs and high quality international freight infrastructure.

Although labour costs in China are rising, they remain competitive and, with the possible exception of apparel, it is predicted that China will further increase its share of global production. In particular, there is ample scope to increase exports to Europe, where levels of China import do not yet match the US levels.

As China's economy is growing so fast, there are many infrastructure changes happening that affect freight forwarding and other freight services. This means that it can be hard for the business owner to keep up to date on all the changes that may affect his own international freight.

For example, to cope with growth in freight forwarding, new container ports are being built and existing facilities expanded along China's eastern coast.

There is already a capacity shortage problem in Shanghai, so we are now seeing expansion of deepwater ports in Ningbo, especially after the recent opening of the Hangzhou Bridge.

The port of Shanghai is fighting against its flagging growth and is implementing strategies designed to turn Shanghai into a major Asian hub to rival Hong Kong and Singapore. This will be achieved partly by establishing feeder ports along the Yangtse River, establishing a regional feeder network with Shanghai as the centre of a massive international freight hub.

This international freight development ties in with the government's plan to create a year round shipping channel from Chongquing to the sea. By summer 2009, when the Three Gorges Dam is completed, the average river journey time between Chongquing and Shanghai will be cut in half, to about seven days. And this will be complemented by a billion dollar riverside railway project that will slash the journey time between Chonngquing and Shanghai from 41 hours to 10.

These kind of huge infrastructure projects are happening all over China and revolutionising the options for international freight forwarding from China.

UK businesses that are entering the China import market should make sure that they choose a freight forwarding company with know-how, up-to date knowledge and an experienced local network of freight forwarding agents. Not all shipping companies can provide this winning combination.

The importance of a strong local freight forwarding network cannot be emphasised enough, when it comes to China import, so choose your freight company wisely.

In Chinese culture, conducting business is based on trust and relationships, therefore it is vital to appoint a freight forwarder or shipping company with a network who have already established this trust.