Import readiness
What to organise before importing products into the UK
A shipment plan is only as dependable as the product and source information behind it. Organising the exact item, pack and documentation details early makes freight, compliance and warehouse handovers easier to coordinate.
Key points
What to take away.
- 1Work from exact products and pack formats
- 2Collect source documents before confirming a route
- 3Separate commercial coordination from specialist approvals
01
Identify the exact product and trading unit
Product name alone is not enough. Record the manufacturer, variant, unit size, case quantity, barcode, country of origin and intended UK sales format. If a multipack or bundle will be created, define that separately rather than treating it as the same item.
02
Gather evidence from the source
The brand or authorised distributor should provide the current specifications and supporting documents relevant to the product. For food and other regulated goods, the exact requirements depend on the item and intended sale, so product-specific professional advice may be necessary.
- Current product and packaging specifications
- Ingredient, allergen or material information where relevant
- Country-of-origin and supplier details
- Case dimensions, weight and pallet configuration
- Commercial invoice and shipment documentation
03
Plan the UK handover before collection
Confirm who is responsible for freight, import formalities, arrival notifications, stock receipt and any required preparation. The warehouse needs the correct SKU and pack information before goods arrive if the stock is to become saleable without avoidable delay.
Cateena can coordinate the operational route and work with the appropriate freight, customs or regulatory specialists where their expertise is required.