Understand legal issues for importers

1.1 Establish what normal commercial practice in the supplier’s country is.

Find out what payment procedures and credit terms are typically used.

Assess your chances of enforcing your legal rights in the local courts in case of a dispute.

1.2 Investigate the supplier’s reputation and creditworthiness.

It may be difficult to make checks such as whether the supplier has good quality control. You may want to visit the supplier to look at their working practices and build a relationship.
Consider running a credit check on the supplier. International business reports are available from many companies such as Experian (www.experian.co.uk) and Dun & Bradstreet (www.dnb.co.uk).

Find out what experience other importers have of dealing with suppliers in that country. You can also ask your local chambers of commerce for information.

1.3 Investigate any legal restrictions the supplier will need to comply with.

For example, the supplier may need an export licence for their product. Obtaining the licence could delay delivery, add to costs, or even prove impossible.

If your supplier is breaching local laws, you might not be able to enforce a purchase contract. You could face legal action yourself if your business becomes involved in an illegal transaction.

The supplier is likely to try to pass on the cost of any local taxes.

The HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme is an accreditation scheme for international traders. AEO is a quality mark in international trade, particularly for businesses who trading goods into and out of the EU. Other benefits of the scheme include fewer customs inspections of goods, less paperwork and faster clearance of goods through customs.

1.4 Consider taking advice.

Useful sources of advice can include your trade association, the British diplomatic missions overseas and the foreign country’s representatives in the UK.

2.1 Check whether you need an import licence for the product you are buying.

You need an import licence for some goods, including diamonds and military or dangerous goods, such as firearms and some chemicals.

You usually need a licence to import plants, agricultural products, some food and animals.

You may need an import licence for some products coming from outside the EU: textiles, footwear, iron, steel or ceramics. There may be a quota limiting the total volume of imports of a particular kind, such as textiles.

2.2 Check whether there are any other restrictions on the import of the product.

Illegal drugs, and some chemicals used in their manufacture, are controlled by the Home Office.

You must register with the European Chemicals Agency REACH database if you import more than one tonne of chemicals per year.

You may need approval from the Health & Safety Executive to import dangerous products.

Imports of food, plants or live animals generally need to conform with UK safety regulations.

Timber products and packaging may need to be licensed and inspected.

Radio communications equipment may need licensing.

From time to time, the UK government may order sanctions, restricting imports of some or all products from a particular country.

2.3 Check what UK taxes there will be.

These may include VAT, import duty and excise duty (see section 6).

2.4 Consider taking advice.

Your trade association, freight forwarder or legal adviser can help.

3.1 Check whether there are any specific safety regulations covering the product.

Some safety regulations are legal requirements. For example, fireworks for sale to the public must meet the relevant British Standard; nightwear and children's clothing must comply with safety standards; and all children’s toys must carry the CE mark certifying that they meet European toy safety law.

You may want to ensure that products you import meet relevant safety standards, even if this is not a legal requirement. Failing to do so is likely to significantly weaken your defence if the goods harm someone.

3.2 Assess whether the product meets the general safety requirement.

Goods must be as safe as people are reasonably entitled to expect. If the goods are as safe as similar UK products, they are likely to meet this requirement.

You may want to have a sample safety tested. Consider contacting your local Trading Standards office or the British Standards Institution.

Large suppliers may have already done this themselves and marked their product (eg with the British Standards kitemark). However, some unscrupulous suppliers simply mark their products without having them tested.

3.3 Consider your responsibility for product safety.

If you import a product from outside the EU, you could be held liable for any harm or loss caused if it is unsafe. If you import from within the EU, primary liability for any harm will normally fall on the manufacturer, provided you do not modify or ‘own brand’ the product.

You may want to ask the supplier to indemnify you against any claim for damages as a result of a faulty product (see section 4).

You are legally required to take reasonable steps to ensure that any product you sell is safe, regardless of who produces the product or where it comes from.

3.4 Make sure labelling and packaging meets legal requirements.

Products must be labelled in English (though other languages may be used as well).

Labels must use metric weights and measures.

Labelling must not be misleading.

You may need to include safety information on the label and appropriate safety instructions.

Check environmental labelling requirements; for instance, household electrical goods must be marked with EU energy-rating labels.

Larger businesses may be required to recycle a percentage of the packaging materials used.

3.5 Check that the product does not infringe intellectual property rights.

For example, another business might hold a patent for a particular product. They could take legal action against you if you import a product that infringes on their rights.

The owner of a trademark can take action to stop you sourcing their goods from a cheaper non-EU supplier and reselling them in the UK.

You could face prosecution, or be sued, if you import counterfeit goods.

3.6 Investigate any requirements for the particular product.

For example, there are rules on the labelling and packaging of food products.

Your trade association should be able to advise you.

4.1 Cover all the basics as in any other purchase contract.

For example, what you are purchasing, what quality and quantity you require, and what the price is.

Tell the supplier about any UK regulations or standards that you require the product to meet.

Ask the supplier to indemnify you against any legal action caused by defective goods. This will not stop you being prosecuted or sued, but could cover some of the costs (provided the supplier remains solvent).

4.2 Agree the terms of delivery.

Negotiate responsibility for each stage of delivery, insurance and customs clearance.

Use the internationally recognised ‘Incoterms 2010’ which sets out exactly what each party’s responsibilities are.

4.3 Agree the payment method.

You may be able to negotiate payment on account once a supplier trusts you, particularly if you are buying from a supplier within the EU.

Many suppliers will require an alternative payment method, such as by letter of credit, which protects them if you do not pay.

4.4 Anticipate potential problems.

4.5 Agree how disputes will be handled.

Aim to negotiate that UK law will apply.

Agree a dispute resolution procedure that can be used rather than going to court. For example, the contract might name a particular arbitration organisation.

4.6 Set out what you have agreed in a written contract.

You may want to use a lawyer to draft a suitable contract, particularly if you do not have a previous import purchase contract to use as a model.

Use a lawyer with experience of import contracts and ideally with experience of the country you are buying from.

5.1 Decide whether you want to use an agent.

If you are buying from a supplier within the EU, you may have negotiated for the supplier to clear the goods through the UK port and deliver them to your premises. If so, you will not need an agent.

If you are buying from outside the EU, you are likely to be responsible for customs clearance and for onward delivery from the UK port to your premises. Many importers find it easier to use an agent to handle this.

5.2 Ensure that responsibilities are clearly agreed.

Make sure the supplier knows what agent you will be using and what their responsibilities will be.

5.3 Establish clear limits to the agent’s authority to act for you.

You might be liable for the actions of your agent.

5.4 Check any potential legal obligations to your agent.

EU law sets out specific obligations to any individual (rather than company) who acts as your agent. You may face a claim if their earnings are lower than expected, or if you terminate the agency agreement.

You need to take advice on the legal position if you will be using an agent in a non-EU country.

Make sure you have a written agreement with anyone who acts as your agent. A lawyer can prepare an agreement that will help protect you.

6.1 Make arrangements for VAT.

If you are purchasing goods from outside the EU, you must usually pay the VAT (and any duty) to HMRC before you can take delivery of the goods.

HMRC run VAT deferment schemes for traders, where qualifying businesses are allowed to pay a short time after the goods are cleared.

If you are purchasing goods from within the EU, give the supplier your VAT number. This allows them to omit the charge to VAT from the invoice, though you must account for it on your VAT return.

6.2 Check what import duty you must pay.

For goods from outside the EU, duty is typically around 5-10%, but can vary widely depending on the product and country of origin.

For goods ‘in free circulation’ within the EU, you do not have to pay any import duty.

6.3 Check whether any excise duty is payable.

Excise duty is payable on products such as alcohol and tobacco.

Any excise duty is payable whether goods are coming from within the EU or not.