Tip: It is advantageous for the importer to arrange the shipping and insurance themselves, as it ensures transparency of the actual shipping costs, allows the buyer to select which shipping company or freight forwarder will be used, and guarantees that an adequate amount of insurance will protect the goods. Buyers often find that full service shippers are the best choice as they offer convenience by saving the importer time, resources and money.

The buyer of the goods directly or indirectly incurs the shipping and insurance costs involved in transporting the goods to their place of final destination. The importer can directly arrange and pay the shipping company, allow the exporter to arrange the shipping with the costs paid by buyer, or have the seller organize and pay for the shipping with the costs added onto the goods. In this case, the first instance is preferable. Using a shipper or freight forwarder that provides full services including customs clearance, insurance, document processing and logistics planning will likely save the importer money, time and problems.

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