So, your business imports and exports goods in and out of the UK, but moving your stock is just the beginning. You also need secure warehousing to keep your supply chain running smoothly.
Warehousing may not be the first thing people think about when thinking about logistics, but it plays an important role in getting goods from A to B. Choosing the right warehousing partner can make a significant difference to your business efficiency, especially when dealing with overseas shipments.
There’s a lot to consider when thinking about where to store your stock, particularly when importing and exporting. How much storage do you need? Have you always got the right amount of space? Any facilities need to be appropriate for the goods you are moving; you may need to consider a bonded warehouse.
As well as getting customs clearance processes in place, the location of your warehousing facility can ensure the success of your business.
Why Using a Third-Party Warehouse Gives You More Flexibility
When importing and exporting goods, you need as much flexibility as possible. Shipping schedules change, and exchange rates shift, sometimes with not a lot of warning. Also, if your business is dictated by seasonality, your stock levels will fluctuate.
This is where third-party warehousing can make life easier. An external facility gives you more flexibility without the significant investment of purchasing new buildings. Employing the facilities of a third-party warehouse allows you to scale up and down with the needs of your business, supporting you with additional space during peak periods or reducing costs during quieter months.
Secure warehousing allows you to store goods safely while they await shipping or further processing. With a flexible storage partner, you can respond quickly to changes in demand and protect your supply chain from disruption.
Some of the key benefits of using third-party warehousing and storage include:
- Overflow space during busy periods
- Reduced overheads compared to owning additional premises
- Fast access to major transport routes
- Short-term or long-term contracts, depending on your needs
- Professional handling and secure facilities
Importing and Exporting – The Role of Bonded Warehousing
There’s a lot to juggle when it comes to international logistics, paperwork, customs duties, timelines and transport arrangements. Choosing the right storage solution can support your import/export processes every step of the way and can assist in the easy movement of your goods.
Think about how your warehousing solution can support your business through the movement of your stock through different countries. A warehouse can support your business, keeping your stock safe while waiting for loading or if you need somewhere to safely consolidate your shipments.
Would your business benefit from a bonded warehouse? A bonded warehouse is a specialist storage facility approved by HMRC that allows you to store imported goods before paying import duties.
When goods arrive at the port, a bonded warehouse gives you time to organise your onward distribution without having to pay duties immediately. Importers can defer VAT and customs charges for up to 90 days. This extra time is particularly useful when importing high-value or seasonal stock.
Other advantages of bonded warehousing include:
- Reducing upfront costs on imported goods
- Storing stock securely until duties are paid or goods are re-exported
- Helping consolidate shipments from different suppliers or regions
- Avoiding unnecessary delays while customs paperwork is finalised
If you frequently move stock between countries, this type of secure warehousing can significantly reduce both cost and complexity.
Customs Clearance – Having an In-House Partner All Under One Roof
We all know that one of the most important parts of importing goods is getting the customs clearance process right, first time. Any delays can mean unnecessary hold-ups, extra fees or even rejected goods.
If you don’t have your own customs team, you could consider using a third-party warehouse with in-house customs clearance facilities, which could save you a lot of time. A third-party warehouse with an in-house customs team can manage documentation, compliance checks and liaisons with authorities all under one roof.
This not only speeds things up but also helps to ensure that everything is done properly. Your business can avoid red tape and get your goods moving without any additional stress.
Think about which port – why use Immingham?
The UK import and export industry is worth £billions, so selecting a port that works for your business is critical to the success of your supply chain. When importing or exporting goods there is more than the price of freight to be considered. The facilities at the port, their specialisms and, importantly, their location and proximity to customers and suppliers.
The Port of Immingham is the UK’s largest port by tonnage, handling over 46 million tonnes of cargo every year. Immingham is part of the Humber Gateway and has strong trade routes into Europe and Scandinavia. A strong RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) and LoLo (lift-on/lift-off) offering makes the port a flexible option for various cargoes.
The Port of Immingham is well connected to transport routes within the UK, with 260 rail freight movements per week and high-speed road links. The M180, M18 and M1 are accessible quickly from the port.
The GWS warehousing solution is based within 1 mile of the Port of Immingham, meaning that goods can be offloaded at the port and on-site within minutes.
High-Quality Warehousing in Immingham
Ensuring that your goods are protected throughout their journey through importing and exporting is essential for a profitable business. Selecting the right storage solution for your stock is part of an overall robust process.
To maintain a streamlined import and export business, you’ll need a warehouse close to relevant ports and transport links. You’ll also need to ensure that your storage facility can load and unload your consignments quickly and with no damage.
At GWS, our facility near the Port of Immingham offers:
- Flexible storage contracts
- Secure warehousing with 24/7 monitoring
- In-house customs clearance support
- Proximity to port for rapid unloading and transfer
- Skilled product handlers and efficient loading facilities
Looking For a Warehouse With a Great Team?
GWS has an experienced team of product handlers and can also offer an in-house customs clearance service. Our combination of great skills and strategic location makes us a perfect choice for companies that import and export goods.
If your business relies on importing or exporting goods, having the right storage partner is more important than ever. GWS provides flexible, secure warehousing in Immingham with the facilities and expertise to support businesses of all sizes.
Need to scale up your storage capacity? Want to streamline your customs processes? Looking for a more strategic location? We’re here to help.
