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Due to demand from both businesses and consumers, vinyl flooring is a hot item. To meet this demand, many distributors import vinyl flooring into the U.S. Compared to some other products, vinyl flooring doesn’t face unusually strict import requirements. However, there are still a number of required guidelines that need to be followed.
When importing vinyl flooring into the U.S., paperwork required by the CBP must be properly completed and submitted. The product will also need to meet CPSC compliance standards. To assist with this process, many importers choose to partner with a Customs Broker.
USA Customs Clearance is able to serve as your customs broker and ensure that your vinyl flooring is imported hassle-free. Our team can provide you with the customs bond that you’ll need when importing, along with a number of other logistics services.
Many consumers looking to upgrade their current flooring are likely doing research on a variety of different types. Since you are importing vinyl as a floor covering with the intention of selling it and not just taking up space in a warehouse somewhere, it’s of paramount importance to know why it would be the most desirable option to a person prepared to spend a good amount of money. While there is no perfect solution for flooring, vinyl has many more positives than negatives as flooring.
Vinyl floors are often the cheapest option available, especially with installation. At about $2 to $5 per square foot, it easily beats wood ($10 per square foot with installation), carpet ($3 to over $5 per square foot) and tile ($15 to $20 per square foot with install), which all have higher prices. In fact, installation is easy enough for vinyl flooring that an enterprising person could possibly do it him or herself. The same cannot be said about wood or carpet flooring. This would save your customers more money.
Even luxury vinyl tiles, with more premium thickness and designs, are a good bargain for something that looks the way the customer wants it to.
A customer would save even more money when considering how easy it is to keep vinyl flooring looking good and in cleaning it. A vinyl floor can be swept, vacuumed or dry mopped and that’s all you need. Furthermore, using hot water with a small amount of white vinegar is an extremely inexpensive cleaning solution that will have vinyl floors spotless in no time.
Carpeting, especially with pets or children, needs to be periodically deep cleaned, which means renting or buying additional equipment to maintain it — or calling in a professional like Stanley Steemer.
Likewise, tiles are easily chipped and wood floors need specialized cleaning products at least monthly and need to be refinished every 3 to 5 years. If a person had hardwood floors throughout their house that needed to be completely refinished, it could cost $4,000 to $8,000 to have a professional come in and do it. This is a huge selling point for vinyl.
If someone doesn’t need the cost or feel associated with wood or tile, they can go vinyl. There are plenty of different designs, where you can get the look of wood, tile or even marble or stone. While it might not feel like any of those, or add the same equity to a home, a homeowner will at least get the visual effect without the additional costs.
Part of the appeal of vinyl flooring is its great usage for businesses. Because it is durable, cheap and easy to replace, it’s a favorite of high-traffic areas whether for personal, commercial or industrial use. Other good qualities of vinyl flooring are the noise reduction. As long as you keep the flooring away from sharp objects that can cut the flooring, direct sunlight and heavy items, the vinyl will hold up well.
If you're importing vinyl flooring, you might also have an interest in bringing in granite or marble. Import granite from India is on the rise due its high profit margins and consumer demand.
Since we’re discussing the importation of vinyl flooring, that means it is coming over America’s northern border, southern border or through one of our ports on the east coast, west coast or Gulf of Mexico.
If the vinyl flooring was coming from overseas, for instance imported from China, you only have two options: by ocean or by air. Air travel is extremely costly and should only be used for shipping vinyl flooring in extenuating circumstances. So ocean shipping is the way to go in this instance.
The benefits of ocean shipping are you can ship a lot at once and it is the cheapest option. The lone drawback is the time it takes. However, with proper planning on your part, you can start the supply chain from Asia and be getting more flooring at regular intervals. Or order a large quantity upfront and warehouse the product in America so you have some on hand to sell at any given time.
If the vinyl flooring were to be shipped from Canada or Mexico, the best choice is by truck, which is also cost effective and readily available.
Shipping from Central America or South America, you’d use either ocean shipping, truck shipping or a combination of the two.
Choosing the best method of transportation can be tricky. Our experts can help you with this tough task. Schedule a customs consulting session and we'll cover everything for your upcoming shipments.
Before you can worry about transporting your vinyl flooring to America, you have to have everything set up with customs. This involves filling out paperwork with the CBP and making sure you have a customs bond in place. These two things must happen before your flooring reaches U.S. borders or you’ll be charged with trying to illegally import items into the country, which carries very negative consequences.
The best part about those two requirements to start the importation process is they can be handled by an experienced customs clearance broker should you not want to or be able to go through the steps on your own. The customs broker can sell you the customs bond and also renew it yearly on your behalf while also filling out your paperwork and making sure it is perfect for the CBP. The paperwork being complete and accurate is crucial, since the CBP can delay or even reject your shipment if the forms are incomplete or have wrong information.
Once the shipment reaches the United States’ shores, you or a representative must pick it up and go through the final steps before the CBP will release it into the country. The customs broker can also offer you valuable advice at any point of the process.
The CPSC is involved in the regulation of importations in this area and your job as the importer is to make sure your vinyl flooring isn’t being made with any hazardous materials or chemicals. Other than that, they would be good to import.
Related: How to Import Exotic Hardwood Flooring
Once you’re prepared to import vinyl flooring, it’s time to call the experts at USA Customs Clearance, powered by AFC International, to help you with your needs. USA Customs Clearance offers a plethora of services aimed at assisting you with getting your shipment in the country.
If you have questions about any aspect of the process, strongly consider purchasing one of our customs consulting sessions. With several different options at different price points, you will get an expert in customs clearance via video chat or phone call to guide you through the mechanics of importing goods.
Furthermore, USA Customs Clearance offers customs bonds for sale at competitive prices. Since it is a requirement to have one, it’s still best to go with a savvy industry veteran like us who will also automatically renew the bond annually so there are no snags in your ability to import vinyl flooring.
We also offer several transportation options, warehousing and supply chain management for your vinyl flooring through our sister companies. USA Customs Clearance is a veritable one-stop shop for all importation needs.
So when you’re ready to begin to import vinyl flooring, connect with us by giving us a call at 855.912.0406. We’re ready to be your go-to strategic partner for all of your importing and logistics needs.
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I am looking at buying 1800 software of flooring from china. What would be the cost to have it picked up and brought to the US?