The Importer's Notebook
Practical guides on duty, freight, VAT and unit economics — no fluff.
Cost reduction
6 articles
Tariff Engineering: Legal Strategies to Reduce Your Import Duties
Tariff engineering involves structuring your imports to benefit from lower duty rates while remaining fully compliant. Discover practical techniques that could significantly reduce your import costs.
Bonded Warehousing: How to Defer Duties and Gain Supply Chain Flexibility
Bonded warehouses let you store imported goods without paying duties until they enter the domestic market. Learn how bonded warehousing works, the cost benefits, and when it makes sense for your business.
Freight Consolidation: How to Ship Smaller Quantities Cost-Effectively
You don't need a full container to ship internationally. Freight consolidation services let you share container space with other importers, reducing costs for smaller shipments.
Palletising and Load Planning: Maximising Container Space and Reducing Damage
Poor load planning wastes container space and increases damage risk. Learn how to palletise effectively, calculate container capacity, and optimise your loading plan for maximum efficiency.
Import Duty Refunds and Drawback: Getting Money Back from Customs
If you've overpaid duties, re-exported goods, or used imported materials in exports, you may be entitled to a duty refund. Learn about duty drawback programmes and how to claim what you're owed.
How to Negotiate Lower Freight Rates and Reduce Shipping Costs
Freight is one of the largest costs in your import supply chain. Learn proven negotiation tactics, alternative shipping strategies, and practical ways to reduce your per-unit shipping costs.
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