Intermediaries for importation

Intermediaries in import trade

Who are these intermediaries?

They are specialized traders or agents who act on behalf of importers to handle different stages of the import process. They ensure that goods move smoothly from the foreign seller to the local market.

Roles of intermediaries in import trade

1. Ordering the goods They help place purchase orders with foreign suppliers according to the importer's specifications (type, quantity, quality, etc.).

2. Documentation They prepare and process all required import documents such as invoices, import licenses, bills of lading, certificates of origin, etc., ensuring legal compliance.

3. Receiving the goods They are responsible for receiving the goods upon arrival at the port or airport and confirming that the delivery matches the order.

4. Clearing and forwarding the goods They handle customs clearance, pay duties, and arrange for the goods to be transported from the port to the importer's warehouse or destination.

5. Distributing the goods They may also assist in distributing the goods to retailers, wholesalers, or directly to consumers, depending on the arrangement with the importer.

Who are they?

1. Import merchants. These are intermediaries who buy goods from abroad in their own name and sell them locally. They may be wholesalers or middlemen. They normally deal in general merchandise.

2. Import commission agents. These are traders who import goods at overseas sellers' risk. They are sent consignment by overseas sellers and market their goods locally at the best price. They are paid commission from the proceeds of sale in an agreed percent. If goods are not sold/unsold stock, they can return them at the sellers' expense.

3. Import brokers. These are people who do not buy or sell goods themselves but arrange deals between buyers and sellers. They possess knowledge of available market both locally and internationally and hence connecting the importers with exporters. Finally they are paid commission known as brokerage.

4. Stockist distributors. These are merchants who are specialized in importing goods of a particular type which they are skilled in. They normally offer other services like "after sale services", repairs and distribution of commodities to consumers.

5. Indent house. Is an import agent of a firm who import goods on order received from the domestic buyer. The importer enter into agreement with the indent house for the supply of certain specified goods by filling and signing special forms regarding the full descriptions of goods to be imported.

6. Manufacturers' representatives. Those traders who represent manufacturers in a foreign country whose duty is to sell manufacturers products in the country they represent.