Steep learning curves

Everyday of this journey has been a part of a steep learning curve for all of us. Everyday we’re learning something new! How all this fits into the greater scheme of things in our lives is beyond me right now, but my past experiences have taught me that they will fit perfectly!

The experience of trying to import a tricycle for Jed from China has been an interesting learning curve, one that has been happening for a few months now. Having never imported or exported anything ourselves before, its been interesting working with forwarding and clearing agents as we gather quotations to find the most suitable way to get it here. The trike is not subject to import tax, only VAT (value added tax) of 14%. As private importers we don’t need an import permit for this once-off purchase. Those were the easy things to find out. Shipping from China is subject to a ‘kick-back’ that must be paid when landing in SA and extra charges will be owed if customs officials have to open and inspect the package. Our first quotes were exorbitant and things were looking impossible as we were working on a ex-works/door-to-door cost. The minute we worked on F.O.B costs the quote almost halved and now things are looking much more do-able!

The business and all we’ve experienced so far has been another huge learning curve. Up till now we haven’t really encountered anyone who can give us local business advice. We’ve been forging forward by ourselves and finding out a lot as we move along. This week I called SEDA and spoke to the branch manager. I told him that our experience so far had been very disappointing and that we wanted to see another Business Advisor. By the end of the week a visit was set up with a new Business Advisor and our existing Business Advisor. Its been interesting visiting different wholesale suppliers and watching the local ‘junk mail’ for food specials. Our new freezer arrived, eventually!, on Thursday and we’ve already got a nice supply of meat and fish we’ve found on special in the last week or so.

We continue to learn every day, some lessons are easier to process than others but every lesson is valuable and prepares us for what lies ahead. Exciting times!