Tips for successfully importing in 2022

Successfully importing goods is greatly determined by a careful planning process and execution. Import with confidence and success this year with essential tips from BC’s leading trucking and warehousing.

Importing is a big part of your business and can either result in a nightmare or translate to revenue flowing in. Successfully importing goods is greatly determined by careful planning and execution. You can’t win if you can’t finish! We’ve got some essential tips to help you plan out a successful 2022.

Know the Policies at the Port

Containers that enter a port are given a “free” period and then are charged a fee thereon afterward. This fee is called a demurrage charge and is tacked on daily according to the size of the container. This fee is imposed to help with the efficient flow of containers at ports and rails and encourage importers to move their cargo within a reasonable time.

Get the Right People Working For You

It’s always a good idea to focus on what you do best and outsource the rest. As a business owner, you’re good at your craft. Spending countless hours researching and figuring out a logistical puzzle is a waste of your time and unnecessary. Companies that take advantage of the expertise of custom brokers, freight forwarders, and trucking companies will always come out ahead and this is especially true when changes nowadays can happen at a moment’s notice. 

Given the backlog and shipping delays worldwide, being able to dodge hefty fines as a result of an ever-changing playing field can only be made possible when you have experienced trucking companies working for you. Some of the services that our team at Sandhar have been able to provide our clients include:

• Providing proactive services to ensure customers don’t get stuck with hefty fines
• Helping clients stay on top of their cargo and save on storage fees
• Giving clients lots of notice so they can better prepare and inform their customers and shipping lines
• Supporting their customers with a paper trail to assist them with disputing fees for unreturned shipping containers

Having the Right Permits and Avoiding Banned Goods

There’s nothing worse than having spent time and money on importing goods that can’t be translated into profit. Doing your homework and choosing the right kind of goods to import should definitely be at the top of your list. To avoid possible penalties, including fines and seizures, it’s a good idea to visit CBSA’s (Canadian Border Services Agency) wealth of information beforehand.

Packing Rules, Packing Rules, Packing Rules

On top of making sure that you’ve packed your precious cargo well to prevent damage from the journey, you must also be well aware of the rules surrounding the packing materials used. Like banned goods, certain materials are not cleared for entry into Canada.

Every country has its own rules about packaging materials and Canada has strict guidelines when it comes to wood packaging. As our country’s natural resources and agriculture are at stake, policies have been put in place to prevent invasive pests from entering our eco-systems.

Delays and sudden changes happen, but it’s essential to have a plan in place to mitigate and reduce risks and costs when problems do arise. From having your cargo transported safely to the port to clearing customs and delivering it to the final destination, each step takes careful planning and a certain expertise to make things run smoothly. 

Being a leading provider in container trucking and bonded sufferance warehousing in BC, we have authorized access to all major ports and rails in Metro Vancouver, 250 trailers, and equipment to fully support all our customers. From monitoring documentation issues and free time for demurrage and detention to securing the best reservations, we are here to provide exceptional customer service 24/7!
Our LTL (less than truckload) and FTL (full truckload) services are also able to transport your freight from port to major destinations across Canada including Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Contact us at (604)-276-9044 or info@sandhartrucking.com to learn about how we can help you grow your business this year.