Partner Article

Advice for small businesses on acquiring goods from the United States

For small businesses comprising just a handful of employees, brand new technology and an abundance of office supplies are often something of a luxury. Every purchase needs to be looked at closely by management to determine best value for money, how long things will last, etc. It’s often the case that some of the best value on goods- particularly on electrical items- is often found in the United States. Earlier this year, UK consumer group Which? ran a study that found items including Apple laptops cost as much as £200 more in Britain.

However, even though there is often a broader selection and lower prices in the US, when shipping costs are taken into account, purchasing from the US can still seem prohibitively expensive. There are nevertheless some tips and tricks small businesses in the UK- and in fact anywhere outside the US- can use to better find and purchase office supplies from the US and get them delivered for a reasonable price.

• Before purchasing electronic items, make sure they’ll work in the UK. You’ll likely need an adapter, so check with the company or online forums to see what has worked for other people.
• Check the warranty for electrical goods, especially if they are going to be used outside the UK.
• For office supplies, keep in mind that US paper and envelope sizes are different; make sure to choose the right one for you.
• Research packaging consolidation services- such as MyUS- that will ensure your goods are delivered together, regardless of how many different retailers you purchased from. This will lower shipping costs by having everything arrive in one shipment. MyUS has found that businesses outside the US favor Staples, Amazon and eBay for business supplies, customized promotional products and for buying in bulk overall.
• Check to see that any service you use for delivery is compliant with international trade and customs laws. This will increase the likelihood of the customs process being smooth and fast, and ultimately that your goods will arrive on time and in good condition.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by MyUS .