Check destination requirements before you buy.

Import permissions, product standards, labels, certificates and taxes differ by market. What to check, who to ask and how to write it into the order.

The rules for a product are set by the country it is going to. A drink, a food product or a phone charger that sells freely in one market may need a different label, a certificate or an import permit in another, and some products cannot be imported at all. Checking these requirements before the order is confirmed is far cheaper than discovering them at the border.

Start with the importer of record

The importer of record is the party responsible for the goods meeting the destination’s rules and for paying duties and taxes. That is usually the buyer or its appointed importer. The importer’s customs broker and the relevant local authorities are the authoritative sources on what a product needs. A supplier or trading company can provide product information and documents, but it cannot decide what the destination will accept.

Five areas to check

Permission to import

Some goods need an import licence, a permit or registration of the importer. Alcoholic beverages are licensed in many markets and restricted or prohibited in some. Certain foods, medicines, chemicals and radio equipment may also need approval before import.

Product standards and registration

Destinations set their own standards for ingredients, additives, contaminants and residues in food, and for safety, electromagnetic compatibility and radio use in electronics. Some products must be registered with a local authority before they can be sold. In the European Union, for example, many electrical products must carry CE marking.

Labelling

Label rules often cover language, the importer’s name and address, ingredients and allergens, net quantity, dates, alcohol strength, storage instructions and warnings. Some markets accept a local sticker over the original label; others require the information to be printed on the pack. Some also require excise or tax stamps on certain products.

Certificates

Depending on the product, the destination may expect a certificate of origin, a health or phytosanitary certificate, a halal certificate, a certificate of analysis or a conformity certificate. Check which issuer the destination recognises and whether the certificate must be issued before shipment.

Duties and taxes

Import duty depends on the tariff classification and the origin of the goods. Many markets also apply excise to alcohol and tobacco, and some to energy drinks or sweetened beverages, as well as VAT or sales tax. These costs change the landed price and should be part of any comparison between offers.

Discuss the destination requirements before confirming the purchase.

What to look for by sector

• Spirits: import licences, label language and strength, duty or tax stamps, and any limits on who may import.
• Beverages: sugar or excise taxes, label rules, shelf life and, for some drinks, health certificates.
• Food and agri-commodities: health and phytosanitary certificates, halal certification where required, residue and contaminant limits, and minimum remaining shelf life.
• FMCG and consumer goods: product registration for cosmetics and some household products, ingredient labelling, and transport rules for aerosols.
• Consumer electronics: safety and conformity marking, radio approvals, plug type and voltage, battery transport rules and warranty arrangements.

Write the requirements into the order

Once the requirements are known, put them in the order or contract rather than leaving them to an exchange of emails. State the label version and language, the certificates required and who provides and pays for each, any inspection before shipment, and what happens if the goods or documents do not meet the agreed requirements. Clear terms make it easier for the supplier to confirm what it can provide, and easier for the buyer to check what arrives.

When you send an enquiry to DMS, include the destination country and any requirements your importer or broker has already identified. Requirements are settled with the supplier before an order proceeds.