Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

5 Essential Tips for the Import / Export Trade

2014-09-02T03:12:05Z

Sophie: Created page with " '''5 Essential Tips for the Import / Export Trade''' The import / export business is lucrative, to say the least. It’s also riddled with potential pitfalls and hang-ups. If ..."

'''5 Essential Tips for the Import / Export Trade'''

The import / export business is lucrative, to say the least. It’s also riddled with potential pitfalls and hang-ups. If you’re just starting out, have a look at these five essential tips before you get too far in:

'''1. Don’t try to be a hero'''

In other words, don’t even dream about going it alone. The import / export business is complicated, to say the least, and you’re most certainly going to need help along the way. The international import / export trade is extremely complicated, and there are logistics firms out there that specialise strictly in the means and modes of getting products from one part of the planet to the next in a timely, efficient and affordable manner. In this case, trying to go it alone is akin to attempting to file a complicated tax return by yourself when you could as easily hire an accountant for a modest charge. In short: a reputable logistics company will most certainly simplify the process and save your valuable time.

'''2. Know the restrictions'''

This applies to everyone when just getting started, because even new-to-the-game importers are likely to be surprised by a few of the prohibited items barred from import into their home countries. However, for exporters, it’s an ongoing consideration – especially if you ship to a variety of countries. Restrictions, or course, depend heavily on the country. That said, they usually pertain to the following types of items:

• Foods

• Plants

• Produce

• Pharmaceuticals

• Motor vehicles

That’s a broad list – and it’s by no means comprehensive. However, if you’re importing or exporting any of the above, there are almost certainly some restrictions that you need to know about. 

'''3. Consider the need to quarantine'''

This is an area in which the regulations can vary widely depending on the country, which is why we have separated it out from the general ‘restrictions’ category. Quarantine restrictions are particularly important when you are shipping goods to an island. With that in mind, you’ll need to give plenty of attention to quarantine regulations if you’re [http://www.felton.com.au/ attempting export to Australia], New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii – even Ireland and the UK. Of course, countless smaller island nations impose their own quarantine regulations as well. 

The operative consideration here has to do with the possibility of introducing a pathogen, pest or chemical that is not already found at the export destination. Living organisms (pets, produce, plants, etc.) are especially likely to be quarantined. The current epidemic status of the country doing the exporting also has to be taken into account. Here’s a succinct breakdown of how and why quarantine regulations operate.

'''4. Use a Customs Broker '''

Customs brokers are an importer’s / exporter’s best friend. They know all of the regulations and loopholes and have a knack for clearing items through customs checkpoints that you never could’ve cleared on your own. A good custom’s broker operates in the digital world, which means they don’t need to be on the ground at the location you are shipping to.

'''5. Get samples before you ship'''

As an exporter, it’s easy to sip into this trap. You have a buyer. You know a supplier. So why not just play the quiet matchmaker and help these two parties out? If you turn a tidy profit in the process – well then all the better. This approach sounds good in theory; however, you’re likely to end up with an inferior product that ultimately alienates you from what would have been a repeat customer. Request samples early to get an idea of what the manufacturer can do. That way, when the actual shipment is ready, you’ll know how to gauge the product that you’re sending on to your client. 

In conclusion, the import / export business can be lucrative; but you need to know the pitfalls before you get too far in. Do your research and network with people in the know, and you’ll be fine.

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]
[[Category:Public_procedures]]
[[Category:Roles_/_services]]

User:Sophie

2014-07-10T09:30:09Z

Sophie:

I am a professional copywriter with years of experience in blogging and editing. I am interested in writing about a wide range of topics, from construction and home improvement to finance and business.

Temporary flooring options

2014-07-09T06:44:24Z

Sophie: Created page with " If you’re faced with an uneven ground surface and don’t want to go to the expense of having a permanent base laid for a temporary solution, there are a number of temporary f..."

If you’re faced with an uneven ground surface and don’t want to go to the expense of having a permanent base laid for a temporary solution, there are a number of temporary flooring options.

The budget option is to have a plastic portable floor (similar to those used at festivals and events to create pathways), which simply lays to your existing surface like this one which was installed at the temporary cruise line baggage hall at Liverpool.

[[File:SmartSpaceA.png]]

This system works well on level surfaces and is capable of withstanding 2.5tonne forklift trucks. It’s also very quick to install and relatively cheap to hire too.

The biggest downside with this type of floor is it can lift in extreme heat (which we don’t get a lot of in the UK) and of course, if you get any water ingress due to sloping ground, the water will run across the top of the portable floor.

The best option is our ‘heavy-floor’ system which is designed to level your ground and has the added benefit of acting as the base for the temporary building, so there is no need to penetrate the ground to anchor the building into place.

[[File:SmartSpace.png]] 

As you can see in the image above, this temporary building is installed on top of a ‘heavy-floor’ on a grassed area.

These are used extensively when we supply temporary buildings to power stations and oil refineries when they are used as site workshops and offices.

It can also be used for car show rooms and retail areas as seen here, at a temporary Pret-A-Manger coffee lounge.

[[File:SmartSpaceB.png]]

The best feature of this floor is that as it’s a sub-structure system, it lifts the entire building off your existing ground surface, so any water runs underneath and it guarantees you a level surface.

Of course, it’s limited in its weight baring capacity to 500kg’s m² so it’s not really feasible to use it for fork lift trucks or heavy palletised goods.

You could easily run a pump truck across it though, so providing you can manage without fork lift access, this floor system is a very fast and effective way to create a solid level base, when your own existing

ground surface is either too uneven or if you only have a grassed or hardcore area.

Of course, there’s nothing as good as a raised concrete base, but if you’re only intending to use the temporary building for a few months, as opposed to years, then a new concrete base would be cost prohibitive.

Author bio: Sophia writes for [http://www.smart-space.co.uk Smart Space], Britain’s leading specialist in flexible building solutions since 1985.

[[Category:Construction_techniques]]

File:SmartSpaceB.png

2014-07-09T06:41:46Z

Sophie:

File:SmartSpace.png

2014-07-09T06:41:01Z

Sophie:

File:SmartSpaceA.png

2014-07-09T06:39:00Z

Sophie: