How to Order Furniture by Container in Australia: A Complete Guide
When it comes to making purchases in this area for businesses, commercial clients, and project managers, purchasing furniture one piece at a time is not cost-effective; ordering by shipping container is the best approach to making bulk purchases that are cost-efficient.
Shipping containers have to comply with a variety of regulations when it comes to importing goods into the country, and there are often lengthy delays and hidden fees that apply at the ports where shipping containers enter.
It is important for you to be able to ship the commercial furniture that you will purchase to your store without facing any hidden charges, long delays at the port, or even the logistical nightmare involved. The simplest solution to this problem is to use the services provided by Vivin Imports.
This article will cover everything you need to know about shipping furniture in containers from overseas to Australia.
1. Understand Container Sizes and Capacity
To make sure that your order is delivered correctly, you must first know the capacity of the space within the container used for shipping. Capacity is measured in Cubic Meters (CBM). The following are your three choices for containers:
- 20-Foot General Purpose (20'GP): Can hold up to 25-28 CBM. Ideal for smaller orders or bulkier products such as solid wood bedroom sets and dining tables.
- 40-Foot General Purpose (40'GP): Can hold up to 54-58 CBM. Ideal for larger orders that include chairs, tables, and display cabinets.
- 40-Foot High Cube (40'HC): Can hold up to 65-68 CBM. An additional foot of height is provided. Ideal for lighter but bulkier products such as large upholstered lounges and outdoor sofas.
Shipping container cost will be realized regardless of whether or not you fill the container up completely with products. It is highly recommended that you cooperate with your supplier to calculate the cubic meter capacity of your consignment.
The Solution: Skip the headache of calculating cubic meters and container limits. Vivin Imports handles all container packing and space management, delivering perfectly sized commercial shipments directly to your local warehouse or retail store.
2. Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
Factories manufacture products on a large scale; hence, they hardly allow the purchase of a few products for placement in the shipping container. They demand Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs).
The manufacturing firm typically demands that you order at least 50 or 100 of the very same product in the exact color before beginning production. If you intend to pack your goods into a shipping container, you should consider combining several types of goods that fulfill their MOQs.
3. Calculating Your True "Landed Cost"
When you consider your budget, it shouldn't be based solely on the factory's production cost. The total cost of production, transportation, customization, and delivery is referred to as the “Landed Cost.”
The common formula for Landed Cost calculation comprises the following:
- Cost of Goods: Factory price of the furniture.
- Sea Freight: Price of sea freightage per container.
- Marine Insurance: Insurance against any mishap at sea that may damage the cargo.
- Customs Duty (Australia): Customs duty applicable to furniture, which amounts to 5% of the value of goods.
- Port Charges: Expenses incurred for off-loading the container from the vessel in the Australian port.
- Overland Transportation: Transportation costs for offloading the container to the customer's warehouse.
The Solution: Avoid nasty surprises from hidden port fees and shipping taxes. With Vivin Imports, you get completely transparent pricing so you know your exact costs before you spend a single dollar.
4. Shipping Terms
When purchasing from a foreign manufacturer, there are shipping terms listed with three letter terms on your invoice. They indicate the party responsible for transportation costs. There are mainly two terms used for shipment:
- FOB (Free On Board): The cost of packing and transporting the cargo to the shipping port near the factory will be paid by the manufacturer. You just have to pay the cost of ocean transportation to Australia.
- EXW (Ex Works): The factory is responsible only for manufacturing the furniture. You will need to arrange to take possession of the goods at the factory door.
The most convenient term for Australian consumers would be FOB.
The Solution: Forget about confusing international shipping terms like FOB and EXW. Vivin Imports acts as your trusted wholesale partner, managing all overseas freight contracts so you only deal with simple Australian delivery.
5. Quality Control Before Shipping
It will be very challenging to recall the faulty furniture back to the factory from the port of either Sydney or Melbourne after delivery of the container. Ensure that you do not pay your bill unless you are sure that there are no flaws in the furniture.
If you happen to order the furniture directly from the factory, then it is recommended that you employ a professional team to conduct quality inspection.
The Solution: Stop worrying about broken stock arriving from overseas. We runs strict quality control checks at the factory level, meaning you only receive highly durable, flawless furniture ready for your showroom floor.
6. Payment terms and currency risks
The factories do not manufacture customized furniture for free. The international norm for the payment is divided equally in favor of the supplier in a 30/70 percentage ratio. First, you will be required to make a 30% advance to finance their acquisition of materials and the manufacturing process of the furniture. After its production and shipment on board (by presenting a Bill of Lading), you will have to pay the remaining balance.
It should be noted that the majority of international suppliers operate using US Dollars. If at the time of delivery, the AUD depreciates against the USD, then the total price of your purchase may exceed your expectations.
The Solution: Protect your business from shifting exchange rates and large upfront factory deposits. When you buy from Vivin Imports, you pay in Australian Dollars with clear, safe local payment terms that protect your bottom line.
7. Australian Customs and Quarantine Rules
Australia has very strict border rules to stop foreign bugs from entering the country. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) inspects arriving shipments to make sure no hidden pests are inside.
Any furniture that is made from timber, wooden packing materials, or natural fibers should be treated before being shipped to Australia.
- Fumigation: Wood materials need to be fumigated to eliminate any pests in them, especially Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB).
- Treatment Certificates: You will need an authentic certificate stating that the timber has been correctly treated. Otherwise, your shipment can either get held at a port for costly fumigation locally or forced to return home.
8. Planning your Timeline
Patience is key in planning your container orders. You can’t place an order and think that your container will be delivered after just a few weeks.
The Solution: Stop waiting months for overseas production to finish. Vivin Imports holds massive amounts of commercial furniture stock in our Sydney and Melbourne distribution centers, allowing you to receive your orders in just a few days.
9. Offloading of Your Freight Container After It Arrives
The truck which finally arrives in your warehouse or the venue in Australia will not help you offload the freight.
You only have a very limited period of time, mostly about two hours, to remove everything from the container. However, if you don’t manage to do so on time, the transport company may levy you very high hourly detention charges. It is thus important that you prepare adequately beforehand.
The Solution: Avoid expensive hourly detention charges and stressful two-hour unloading windows. Vivin Imports unloads the containers at our own massive facilities, offering you calm, standard local delivery directly to your door.
Make Bulk Ordering Easy with Vivin Imports
Overseas factory management, scheduling sea freight shipments, computing taxes, and managing customs brokers in Australia may become a nightmare for any businessman.
Ordering furniture by container in Australia is a powerful strategy for businesses looking to scale efficiently and improve profitability. The key to success lies in partnering with a supplier that combines experience, infrastructure, and reliability.
Vivin Imports offers all of this and more, making them a trusted choice for businesses seeking a dependable wholesale furniture supplier.
Rather than waiting up to four months until your shipment crosses the ocean, rely on our enormous local warehouse stocks. Our company runs the 25,000 m² Distribution Centre in Wetherill Park, NSW, as well as the 15,000 m² Distribution Centre in Epping, VIC.
Should you need a full container of lounges, bedroom furniture, or dining furniture, we probably have it stored in our local warehouse storage facilities already. When it comes to indent orders of a specific direct container content, our specialists will arrange for overseas delivery, complete customs formalities in Australia, and ensure proper quality control.
Now that it's in stock, seize your opportunity and contact our specialists at Vivin Imports to make your next furniture bulk procurement worry-free.
FAQs
1. When would you get your order of wholesale goods delivered?
This would depend on the nature of your project, but because the wholesalers like Vivin Imports stock their products locally in Australia.
2. Is it possible to have custom colors for wholesale furniture?
Of course! Some professionals can help you in obtaining custom colors either for the fabric or the stain for the wood used on the furniture. All you need to do is to confirm that you meet the minimum purchase requirement for that particular product.
3. Does one need a minimum order for commercial furniture?
Yes, but this again is dependent on the suppliers. Commercial furniture is meant for purchasing a lot of products at once. However, some suppliers give discounts and offer commercial furniture to small venues at reduced prices.
4. Does commercial furniture come with a warranty?
Yes, commercial furniture carries warranty terms between two and five years. This warranty applies to the frame of your furniture in relation to the sturdiness and stability of the construction. Note that regular furniture used in commercial establishments is not covered by warranties.
5. What is maintenance of hospitality furniture?
Proper maintenance extends the life of your furniture. Make sure you tighten all bolts where needed, use mild cleaning agents and clean all outdoor furniture to remove any dirt or salt residues.
