By Timothy Adler on Small Business – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
There are many reasons that an import from the USA might make good sense for your business. US products are in high demand in the UK while American-made parts are popular when it comes to local product assembly or manufacturing.
The USA is one of the UK’s biggest trading partners, with huge volumes of goods moving between the countries every month. In fact, in 2020, $58.4bn of exports from the US arrived in Britain, somewhere in the region of 4 per cent of all of the exports leaving America.
If you’re thinking of importing from the US to grow your business, there are some things you need to know about the process, and costs involved. Importing can be complex, but don’t panic – this guide is here to help.
How to import from USA to UK
If you’re planning on importing from the USA to the UK, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare in advance, including:
Commodity codes – used by customs authorities to identify the goods you’re bringing into the country, to ensure the correct tax and duty is paid, and all legal and safety regulations