If you are planning to move your business or you are planning to relocate to Bahrain; the best way to make sure everything will arrive safely is to hire a customs broker. However the same goes if you need to send something to another country. Import and export laws are different in every county. Moreover, you do not need to waste time learning them if you hire a licensed customs broker. Our moving company made a list of reasons why you should hire a customs broker. Without any further ado, we hope that you will find this article useful.
Reasons to hire a customs broker – a few things you need to know
First thing you need to know about customs brokers it that by paying them you will have smooth shipping. Not only that, but they will save you money by doing their job properly. They specialize in import regulations and law. We at Four Winds Bahrain sincerely recommend that you hire a customs broker for these reasons:
- Import documentation – You will need documents like commercial invoice, certificate of origin, bill of landing, insurance certificate, etc.
- Export documentation – For export, you need to prepare these documents: bill of landing, certificate of manufacture, commercial invoice, consular invoice, dock receipts, packing list, etc.
If you are not the expert in this field it is easier to find someone to finish this for you. As you can see import or export documentation contains a bunch of paperwork. If you do not know how to properly fill them you will have trouble with shipping. Therefore you should hire the professional to that for you. It will take less time for your paperwork to be done. We can assure you that brokers can save you time and money. Customs brokers not only can help you fill all documents they can also manage customs, tariffs, and other requirements.
Choose the best import-export company
Just like hiring a customs broker having a perfect import-export company by your side is a must. It does not matter if you are someone who wants to buy a new car from a foreign country, or you are a business company eager to sell goods overseas. The import-export company can help you with that. They are familiar with all of the new regulations and law changes. All you have to do is find the best company for the job and ask them everything you want to know. Moreover, they can connect you with potential clients who are looking to import goods you are exporting. In the end, their job is to facilitate trades between foreign and domestic companies.
If you choose one of the best moving companies when it comes to import and export, you will have a nice time with your relocation. Usually, it takes a lot of paperwork to complete your overseas move, especially to a country with different rules and regulations. However, your customs brokers should be able to help you out when this one is concerned. All you need to do is to understand what are the items prohibited from import to Bahrain. Not even the best import-export company could get them inside the country, so keep this on your mind at all times.
The difference between customs brokers and customs clearance agents
The main difference between the customs brokers and customs clearance agents is that the customs brokers are people who are specializing in import/export activities on the border. While customs brokers are the people who will, without any issues, organize your move for you, customs clearance agents focus on the physical transportation of goods. Customs clearance agents will be in touch with your moving company and together they will organize the transport of your goods. So, in other words, the customs brokers manage the paperwork, while the customs clearance agents manage the labor behind the paperwork. In any case, it might be a good idea to hire some customs clearance agents in Bahrain to help you with your shipping.
However, you should keep in mind that your customs brokers and your customs clearance agents do not do any labor on your moving day. Instead, they prepare everything for you. However, you should keep in mind that some shipments require you to be physically present to receive them, otherwise, they will remain at the customs. In any case, neither the customs brokers and the customs clearance agents work on your move. They are there to help you pass all of the different types of customs control.
Are there some other things you should know?
Since the customs brokers are doing everything in your name, chances are that you will not even meet a representative from your shipping company. This can be slightly problematic at first, but if you hire a really good customs broker, then everything will be finished without any issues. The main goal is to hire someone good and reliable. There are plenty of customs brokers you can choose from. However, you need to make sure that they are experts and professionals in what they do. If you manage to hire a good person for the job, everything will run smoothly. They know simply everything – from the smallest details to some guidelines to shipping herbs and spices overseas.
Your brokers will do everything in your name. This is perfect if you are not familiar with shipping rules and regulations. What we recommend, however, is to be in constant touch with your customs broker. You should, at all points, know what is happening with your shipping process. Moreover, you should know how the entire process works. You can either call a moving company to ask about the process or trust your brokers. Do not worry – you can learn during the process itself.
Should you definitely hire a customs broker?
If you decide to hire a customs broker, they will complete all the technical things concerning your shipping in your name. Moreover, they will also serve as mediators between you and your shipping company. In any case, if you trust your brokers, you should have no trouble with this one. We wish you safe shipping to Bahrain!