Simplifying your international trade journey—one step at a time.

Importing products shouldn’t steal time from running your business. At AsiaCaribbean Imports (ACI), we streamline each step—from sourcing through final delivery—so you can focus on growth while we handle the heavy lifting.

Below is the practical, plain-English guide our team shares with new clients. Use it to understand the process, avoid common pitfalls, and see where ACI fits in at every stage.

At a Glance: The 5 Stages

1. Sourcing & Supplier Selection
   
2. Contracting & Order Placement
   
3. Production & Quality Assurance
   
4. Freight, Customs & Compliance
   
5. Final Delivery & Post-Import Support

Stage 1: Sourcing & Supplier Selection

“Success begins with the right partner.”

What happens:
 You define your target product, specs, volumes, and timelines—then evaluate factories that can deliver consistently and safely.

How ACI helps:

• Curated shortlists of vetted manufacturers that meet your quality, capacity, and compliance needs
• Due diligence: certifications, audits, references, litigation checks
• Samples management and structured comparisons (spec sheets, photos, tolerances)

Common pitfalls we prevent:

• Choosing on price alone, ignoring capacity, compliance, or IP risks
• Misreading certification claims (expired or not relevant to your market)

✅ ACI Action Tip: Always validate credentials and request samples before you commit.

Stage 2: Contracting & Order Placement

“Clear terms avoid costly surprises.”

What happens:
 You agree the commercial terms and place your purchase order.

How ACI helps:

• Drafting and reviewing POs, supply agreements, and SOWs
• Aligning on Incoterms®, payment milestones, lead times, packaging, and labeling
• Locking quality standards and acceptance criteria into the contract

Common pitfalls we prevent:

• Vague specs or QC criteria that create disputes later
• Unclear ownership of tooling, molds, and IP
• Misaligned Incoterms® that shift risk unexpectedly

✅ ACI Action Tip: Put every expectation in writing—from carton markings to spare parts. If it matters, specify it.

Stage 3: Production & Quality Assurance

“Prevent issues before they ship.”

What happens:
 The factory produces your goods. Quality needs to be built in—not inspected in at the end.

How ACI helps:

• Pre-production reviews (materials, samples, golden units)
• In-process inspections (DUPRO) to catch drift early
• Pre-shipment inspections (PSI) against AQL standards
• Corrective and preventive actions documented for traceability

Common pitfalls we prevent:

• Late discovery of defects that require rework or remakes
• Rushed production that skips testing or compliance checks

🔍 ACI Tip: Never skip independent inspections. They cost far less than a rejected shipment.

Stage 4: Freight, Customs & Compliance

What happens:
 Your finished goods move from factory to destination. Paperwork accuracy drives speed and cost.

How ACI helps:

• Booking sea/air/rail with reliable schedules and transparent rates
• Preparing commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and any permits
• HS code validation and duty/tax estimation
• Coordinating with customs brokers to pre-file entries and avoid holds

Common pitfalls we prevent:

• Wrong HS code or incomplete documentation causing delays and fines
• Missing product compliance for your market (safety marks, labeling, testing)
• Uninsured or under-insured shipments

✅ ACI Action Tip: Share specs early so we can confirm HS codes and compliance requirements before production closes.

Stage 5: Final Delivery & Post-Import Support

What happens:
 Cargo is cleared, delivered to your warehouse or 3PL, and the shipment is closed out.

How ACI helps:

• Last-mile delivery coordination and appointment setting
• Receiving checks and reconciliation against POs and inspection reports
• Claims handling for transit damage or shortages
• Supplier performance reviews to inform your next order

Common pitfalls we prevent:

• Surprise accessorial charges due to missed delivery requirements
• No feedback loop to improve future quality or lead times

✅ ACI Action Tip: Run a quick post-shipment audit (costs, lead time, defects, on-time delivery) to lock in learnings for the next cycle.

Your Import Readiness Checklist

• Clear product specs and target price
• Vetted, contract-ready supplier
• Signed PO with Incoterms®, payment milestones, and acceptance criteria
• Approved samples / golden unit
• Inspection plan (DUPRO + PSI) booked
• Confirmed HS code, duties, and compliance marks/tests
• Accurate shipping docs (invoice, packing list, COO, licenses)
• Insurance confirmed (cargo + liability as needed)
• Delivery appointment and receiving plan
• Post-shipment review scheduled