Top 5 Countries with Simple Import Requirements

Released On 5th Jan 2023

If you’ve read many of our previous articles about import destinations, you’ll have gathered that trade barriers can be formidable obstacles to importing goods. Many countries have complex import processes and requirements, with a bewildering list of documents, permits and time-consuming procedures that must be followed in order to ensure a smooth import of technology-based shipments. 

This time we are focusing on five countries which are, in our experience, the simplest to import into – the countries where, as long as you have an in-country importer of record, there are no special conditions or requirements, and very little requisites to importing technology goods.

Singapore

Singapore is one of the largest trading places in the world and is a highly developed, free-market economy. The Singaporean economy is regarded as innovative, dynamic and business-friendly, which is boosted by an extensive network of trade agreements, a simple import process and reduced import duties to multiple South East Asian countries.

Freight

• Courier accepted 
• Customer Air Freight/Courier themselves 

Import Approval Lead Time

• 2 to 3 days

Minimum Shipping Documents Required

As a minimum, the following shipping documents must be sent along with the shipment:

• Waybill
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Data Sheet(s)

Imports Into Singapore

Common mandatory information on commercial invoice and/or packing list

• Shipper name, address
• Consignee name, address, contact person name, phone and email
• Payment term
• Incoterm
• Shipper’s HS codes of each item
• Country of origin of each item
• Gross weight of each shipping package 

Duties & Taxes

• 8% Goods and Services Tax (GST), based on the CIF, plus all duties and other charges.

Japan

Similarly to Singapore, Japan is a highly developed economy and a busy destination for goods, both import and export, as well as a huge centre for manufacturing. Removing trade barriers makes it easier to do business, and this is fundamental to Japan’s success with global trade agreements.

Freight

• Air freight only

Import Approval Lead Time (M&B)

• 3 to 5 days

Minimum Shipping Documents Required

As a minimum, the following shipping documents must be sent along with the shipment:

• Waybill
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Data Sheet(s)
• Air Shipments

Major Japanese airports:

• Tokyo Narita (M&B Primary)
• Osaka

Imports Into Japan

Common mandatory information on commercial invoice and/or packing list:

• Shipper name, address
• Consignee name, address, contact person name, phone and email
• Payment term
• Incoterm
• Shipper’s HS codes of each item
• Country of origin of each item
• Gross weight of each shipping package 

Duties & Taxes

• VAT 10%

United States of America

One of the parents of global trade, the US processes billions of dollars-worth of imports and exports every day. The import process is kept relatively simple to ensure goods are kept moving.

The only difficulty currently for goods with a Certificate of Origin (CoO) of China, is that the trade war between the two countries means there is a 25% tariff on many goods, including technological parts, electronics and machinery, when importing Chinese products to the US.

Freight

• Courier accepted 
• Customer Air Freight accepted 

Import Approval Lead Time (M&B)

• 5 to 7 days

Minimum Shipping Documents Required

As a minimum, the following shipping documents must be sent along with the shipment:

• Waybill
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Data Sheet(s)

Imports Into USA

Common mandatory information on commercial invoice and/or packing list

• Shipper name, address
• Consignee name, address, contact person name, phone and email
• Payment term
• Incoterm
• Shipper’s HS codes of each item
• Country of origin of each item
• Gross weight of each shipping package 

Quoting Duties & Taxes

• VAT Minimum $27.76
• Additional 25% if China is the CoO, owing to trade war with US (add if CoO isn’t given)
• Check Duty Calculator
• 2% Uplift

Switzerland

Whilst Switzerland may not be at the forefront of someone’s mind when you think of imports, it is one of the world’s most highly-developed free-market economies. Owing to its buoyant economy, favourable tax conditions and land-locked position, Switzerland has a large thirst for imported goods.

Freight

• Customer Air Freight only 

Import Approval Lead Time (M&B)

• 2 to 3 days

Minimum Shipping Documents Required

As a minimum, the following shipping documents must be sent along with the shipment:

• Waybill
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Data Sheet(s)

Imports Into Switzerland

Common mandatory information on commercial invoice and/or packing list:

• Shipper name, address
• Consignee name, address, contact person name, phone and email
• Payment term
• Incoterm
• Shipper’s HS codes of each item
• Country of origin of each item
• Gross weight of each shipping package

Quoting Duties & Taxes

• VAT 7.7%

United Arab Emirates

The UAE is an economy accelerated by the drive to diversify the country away from oil. Over the past 35 years there has been a direct and purposeful drive to take the country into the global economy and develop itself. This development has created a need for infrastructure and imports, and for this reason, Emirates customs ensure that imports are not caught up into long and arduous import processes that restrict trade.

Freight

• Courier accepted 
• Customer Air Freight

Import Approval Lead Time (M&B)

• 5 to 7 days

Minimum Shipping Documents Required

As a minimum, the following shipping documents must be sent along with the shipment:

• Waybill
• Original commercial invoice (CI) signed and stamped
• Original Packing list
• Data Sheet(s)
• CoO in the CI.

Imports to UAE

Common mandatory information on commercial invoice and/or packing list

• Shipper name, address
• Consignee name, address, contact person name, phone and email
• Payment term
• Incoterm
• Shipper’s HS codes of each item
• Country of origin of each item
• Gross weight of each shipping package 

Quoting Duties & Taxes

• 5% and 1% of CIF value

Although each of these countries, in our opinion, offers the most straightforward import requirements for your goods, you will still need an in-country Importer of Record and clearance agent as a minimum. 

Whatever country your IT or technical goods are destined for, if you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mouse and Bear.

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