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Discover the power of electricity and the late 19th-century titans behind its revolution at this Lunch & Learn series by Westinghouse Lighting. Learn about importing essentials and delve into the basics of importing, including required documents, customs duties, and Harmonized Tariff Codes. Explore the benefits of importing, such as product quality, cost efficiency, and job opportunities, along with strategies for finding the right suppliers and minimizing costs. Elevate your entrepreneurial skills with this comprehensive guide.
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Entrepreneurial Toolbox Series: Importing 101 for Entrepreneurs Presented By:Stan AngeloChairman, Westinghouse Lighting2010 Entrepreneur-in-Residence ENTREPRENEURIAL TOOLBOX LUNCH & LEARN SERIES
Three Late 19th Century Titans of America’s Gilded Age • Thomas Edison • The nation’s greatest inventor and creator of the incandescent light bulb • Nicholas Tesla • A Serbian immigrant who revolutionized the generation and delivery of electricity • George Westinghouse • A charismatic inventor from Pittsburgh and tough corporate entrepreneur
Recommended Reading • Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and the Race to Electrify the World • By Jill Jones
Company History • Created in 1946 as Angelo Brothers Company, ABCO • Angelo Brothers acquired the Westinghouse license for light bulbs in 1998 • Corporate name was changed to Westinghouse Light Corp in 2005
Top US Trading Partners -Trade Imports YTD May 2009Total All 15 Countries 588.2 Billions of Dollars In Billions of dollars
Top Ten Import Product CategoriesImport Total $2,090,483 in millions of dollars (5 months)Total Top Ten $1,636,398.........78.3% In Millions of dollars
Top Trading Partners Imports of Electrical Lighting (HTS 8512) YTD Sept 09 In Thousands of dollars
Required Import Documents • Bill of Lading, airway bill or carrier’s certificate • Commercial invoice from seller • Entry manifest (Customs Form 7533) or Entry/Immediate Delivery (Customs Form 3461) • Packing lists
Import Requirements • An individual may make his own customs clearance of goods imported • The U.S. Customs Service doesn’t require an importer to have a license or permit • Another agency may require a license or permit • All incoming merchandise to the U.S. must clear customs unless exempted by law • Generally, Customs duties are calculated ad valorem (percentage) applicable to the value of the goods • Some articles are dutiable at a specific rate or compound rate
Import Requirements II • Customs determines the dutiable value of merchandise • Several appraisal methods are used to arrive at this value • Duties are prescribed according to HS code • The tariff schedule provides several rates of duty for each item • “General” rates for most-favored nations • “Special” rates for special trade programs • Processing fee may also apply
What is a Harmonized Tariff Code? • Referred to as HS or HTS code • Issued by International Trade Commission • Primary resource for determining tariff classification for U.S. imports and exports • Based on the Harmonized System • Established by World Customs Organization • Used by virtually all countries around the world • Over 17,000 unique HS code numbers to classify everything from rubber bands to livestock
Free Trade Agreements • Helps open markets and expand opportunities for American workers and businesses • Tools for promoting fair competition and encouraging foreign governments to adopt transparent, non-discriminatory trade laws • Reduces or eliminate tariffs between member nations • U.S. is party to many bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements with many nations/regions • i.e. NAFTA, DR-CAFTA
Reasons to Import • Product Quality • If a product of the same or better quality can be produced offshore, then it’s only a matter of time before the product finds its way to the U.S. market • Product cost • Much of the lighting industry has gone offshore • Importing high volume items lowered our landed costs by at least 25% • Entire packaging and assembly operations eventually moved to China
Reasons to Import II • Low cost of entry • Anyone can start importing, but many fail • “Briefcase warriors” • Buy direct from Asian factory and ship directly to customer • Customer eventually identifies manufacturer and eliminates middle man • Import Products/Export Labor • Countless jobs have moved to China • WLC has moved a portion of marketing and supply chain staff to China • Quality work at lower labor cost • Overseas staff closer to our suppliers
Reasons to Import III • Finding the core vendor • Most critical decision • Success depends upon the integrity and commitment of people you are dealing with, domestically and internationally • Sourcing flexibility helps to create a competitive environment • Product Availability • Evaluating the person and company that is a potential vendor is a major hurdle • Several factory visits are required of all prospective suppliers • Secondary vendors should be part of your supply chain • Role of the customs broker or trading company • Finding the right representation is also critical • The agent will help you find the most suitable supplier • Assists with quality control, logistical issues, financing and translation
What are Landed Costs? • The maker’s FOB (Free on Board) plus the following: • Duty % (depends upon type of good and from which country) • Insurance • Domestic Broker Costs • Local Drayage • Ocean Freight • Financial Terms • Letters of Credit (LCs); Standy LCs; • Wire Transfers • Open Account • Documentary Collections
Currency Considerations • Preferable to buy in U.S. dollars (USD) • Better understanding and control of your costs • Supplier and buyer agree upon costs based on the currency • Currency hedge-attempt to offset price fluctuations in a market by basing your costs on a higher rate • Ex- If the Chinese Yuan is trading at 8.0 to the USD, using the rate of 7.6 would minimize risk and provide some cushion to the importer
Finding Overseas Partners • Contact Local Chamber of Commerce • www.uschamber.com/chambers/directory/default.htm?d=false • Contact American Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AmChams) • For a complete list visit www.uschamber.com/international/directory/default • Contact Trade and Investment Offices of Individual Countries • Contact local embassy of the particular country • Search online for the specific country you are interested in • Ex-www.portugalglobal.pt/EN/SourceFromPortugal • Ex- http://www.taiwanembassy.org/US/NYC
Automated Commercial System • Comprehensive system created by the U.S. Customs Service • Tracks, controls and processes all commercial goods imported into the U.S. • Will be phased out and replaced by the Automated Customs Environment (ACE) system • ACE is currently in the pilot phase
Restricted Merchandise A license or permit is required from the responsible agency for the following for the following types of items: *Certain items in these categories may also be prohibited.
Restricted Merchandise II The following regulatory agencies issue import licenses according to their category:
U.S. Import-Related Agencies • U.S. Customs & Border Patrol • Division of the Department of Homeland Security • Assures that goods that arrive in the U.S. are legitimate and that and that the appropriate dues and fees are paid • www.cbp.gov • U.S. Import Administration • Division of the Department of Commerce • Primary role is to enforce effectively the U.S. unfair trade laws (i.e. anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws) and implement policies and programs aimed at countering foreign unfair trade practices • www.trade.gov/ia/index.asp • U.S. International Trade Commission • Provides international trade stats and U.S. tariff data to the public full-time and free of charge • http://dataweb.usitc.gov
What is a trade sanction/embargo? • A trade sanction is a trade penalty imposed by one nation onto one or more other nations on certain types of goods • Referred to as “partial embargo” • i.e. North Korea and Former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor • An embargo is the prohibition of commerce and trade with a certain country • Referred to as “absolute embargo” • i.e. Cuba and Syria
Office of Foreign Assets Control • Referred to as OFAC • Prohibits the unlicensed importation of merchandise originated from any country levied with trade sanctions or embargoes by the U.S. • Information and Informational materials are exempt • Nor can goods be imported or through commercial entities owned by any of these governments, regardless of location of the entity
Office of Foreign Assets Control II • Any vessel or aircraft under the registry, ownership or control of the governments of or commercial entities may not import merchandise either • Part of importer’s due diligence requires the referencing of the various OFAC lists prior to engaging in international trade - www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/
Where to Next? • Japan 1950-1960 • Korea 1960-1975 • Taiwan 1975-1990 • China 1990-???? • What about Vietnam and Indonesia? • Which country will you import from? • Where will your true life adventure be in the global economy?
Recommended Reading • Poorly Made in China: An Insider’s Account of the Tactics Behind China’s Production Game • By Paul Midler
THE END Any Questions? Stan Angelo Chairman, Westinghouse Lighting 2010 IEI Entrepreneur-in-Residence stan@westinghouselighting.com 215-671-2121