How to Import?
Article outline:
- I want to import from several countries because my suppliers are spread across different regions. How can I optimize my transportation costs?
- In the event of a problem with the goods between the buyer and the supplier, who is responsible, at what stage, and for how long?
- How can we make sure that our insurer is really covering us?
How to import? These and many other questions are frequently asked by entrepreneurs in the Logistiqa community
We bring together the most frequently asked questions from members of the Logistiqa platform, along with answers provided by our experts. Below is an excerpt from the questions and answers recently added to the Logistiqa digital platform.
1 – I want to import from several countries because my suppliers are located in different countries. How can I optimize my transportation costs?
Importing simultaneously from multiple countries can be complex, and transportation costs may become excessive. It is generally preferable to choose a well-located hub in relation to the other countries—one that can handle consolidated shipments. This allows you to group products at this hub before shipping them together to the destination country.
For example, if you are exporting goods from Africa to France, countries such as Senegal or Morocco are strategic hubs for product consolidation before shipping to France. There are regular maritime consolidation services from Dakar to Le Havre. Le Havre is a strong entry point for shipments destined for Paris, as the port is rapidly developing and hosts reliable freight forwarders.
2 – In the event of a problem with the goods between the buyer and the supplier, who is responsible, at what stage, and for how long?
The rules are clearly defined in sales agreements, specifically through Incoterms, which determine where and when the responsibility of the seller ends and that of the buyer begins.
How long does this responsibility last? It entirely depends on the chosen Incoterm.
For example, if I import goods from China to Morocco and the transit takes 40 days, the goods may have been loaded in good condition and deemed compliant by the supplier. However, if damage is discovered upon arrival at the port, the applicable Incoterm must be reviewed.
If the Incoterm is FOB (Free On Board), the supplier’s responsibility ends once the goods are loaded onto the vessel. From that point onward, I, as the buyer, become responsible.
3 – How can we make sure that our insurer is really covering us?
As a small business, it is common not to have all the right reflexes when it comes to insurance. Determining the appropriate level of coverage and pricing can be difficult. This is where insurance professionals—such as insurance brokers—can play a crucial role.
Brokers act as intermediaries and can be extremely valuable in this process, as insurance matters are highly technical. Their duty is to advise you, provide clear information, and warn you of potential risks. Turning to an intermediary can be an effective way to navigate insurance coverage.
In some cases, insurers offer standard policies that they are unwilling to modify for a single small business. They may propose a policy that you are expected to sign as is. A broker, however, can guide you by suggesting which contract may be better suited to your activity and warning you if a proposed policy does not fully match your operational needs.
Insurance is a highly technical field. It would be unfortunate to invest large sums of money only to later realize that your activity is excluded from the policy coverage. In conclusion, it is strongly recommended to consult insurance professionals—especially brokers—keeping in mind that you generally do not pay broker fees unless a contract is finalized.
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