You might not have realized it, but there are actually freight trains running between China and Western Europe (including The Netherlands). It’s not that surprising though as Asia and Europe is a connected landmass. Since 2016 there has been a direct freight train service from Chengdu, Central China to Rotterdam. This train takes about 15…
The standardized sea container has caused a revolution in the 20th century that has strongly influenced our daily life. Because the metal box has the same dimensions worldwide, it can be transported on land, at sea and in the air. This is efficiency at its best. You may be a novice internet entrepreneur or importer and you are…
In logistics there are a lot of specific terms familiar to people in the sector, frequently recurring in their daily vocabulary. These terms and definitions are often less familiar to people outside the logistics industry. Take the term ‘freight forwarder’, which is familiar to people who deal with imports and exports on a daily basis.…
If you bring products into the Union from outside the EU, you, as an importer, owe import duties to Customs. Imports from another EU country is always exempt from import duties. There is also an exemption for shipments from outside the EU if the value is less than €150. So far it sounds simple and…
Holland is a trading nation. We grew through trade, and we are still very much relevant around the world. The Netherlands is dotted with distribution centers, warehouses and customs warehouses. In all these places, money is made from the import, transit and sale of goods. This blog provides insight into the size and origin of…
You are an entrepreneur and you have decided to import products from outside the EU – smart move! You take advantage of the low production and labor costs in some parts of the world. Despite the long journey that the goods have to make, there is a nice margin to make by selling these products in the…
Time is money. After all, you are an entrepreneur trying to sell products in the Netherlands and any delay means more costs. That is why you would like to know in advance how long it will take before your container(s) with goods will arrive in Rotterdam. Then you can take that into account and prepare…
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a collection of internationally agreed standards on the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers in import and export. Incoterms are not in themselves a contract, but terms of delivery. They clarify a sales contract for both parties and define who arranges insurance and permits, who arranges transport to where and when…
Currently, the online shopping industry is experiencing a spike in sales. It’s a great opportunity for starting an online store selling designer clothing. Approximately 4 billion meters of textile are produced in China every month. Chances are that if you’re starting a clothing business, you’ll most likely procure your products from China. However, importing designer…
Curious about where our current shipping containers come from and what different types you can find today? Check out our article.