Importing from China to Chile is achievable, but the process is fraught with pitfalls that can cost thousands of dollars, cause months of delays, or result in seized cargo. This guide identifies the 15 most common and costly mistakes importers make, explains why they occur, and provides actionable strategies to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Inadequate Supplier Vetting (The $5,000+ Cost)
The Error: Importing from a supplier based solely on a low price quote, fast email responses, or a “Gold Supplier” badge without thorough background verification. Approximately 40-50% of supplier fraud cases involve seemingly legitimate suppliers with fabricated credentials.
Why It Happens: Time pressure and urgency lead importers to skip verification steps. The supplier appears responsive and professional, so trust builds quickly.
The Consequence: The supplier disappears after receiving payment, sends counterfeit goods, or delivers dramatically lower quality than samples. One importer lost $12,000 USD when a “Gold Supplier” accepted a $40,000 payment and ghosted immediately after confirming production. Even worse: recovering funds is nearly impossible.
How to Avoid It:
- Contact a minimum of 5-7 suppliers of the same product; never commit to the first responder
- Verify the supplier’s Unified Social Credit Code through China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) database
- Confirm the company name on the business license matches exactly the bank account name; any variance is a red flag
- Require a minimum of 3 years of verifiable operating history; newer suppliers carry substantially higher fraud risk
- Check that company details are consistent across Alibaba profile, website, business license, and bank documentation—inconsistencies indicate fabrication
- Demand factory photos and videos; perform reverse image search to confirm they’re not stolen from other websites
- Conduct professional third-party factory audits for orders exceeding $10,000 USD; auditors verify production capacity, quality systems, and compliance certifications
- Request references from previous buyers in Latin America; contact them independently
- Never use Trade Assurance just on the supplier’s promise—ensure it’s actually active on their Alibaba profile before payment
Cost of Prevention: $500-1,500 USD for a professional third-party factory audit; this is insurance against losing your entire order value.
Mistake 2: Ordering Large Quantities Without Market Validation (The $20,000+ Risk)
The Error: Importing 1,000+ units of a product you’ve never sold before, based on the assumption that if it sells in Asia, it will sell in Chile. One importer invested $50,000 CLP in 500 specialized kitchen gadgets; only 47 sold over 8 months, forcing a liquidation at cost.
Why It Happens: MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) pressure from suppliers creates urgency. Importers rationalize that large orders guarantee lower per-unit costs, so profitability will follow.
The Consequence: Dead inventory ties up capital for 6-12 months, storage fees accumulate, and products become outdated or damaged. Psychological pressure to sell at any price leads to margin compression.
How to Avoid It:
- Your first import should never exceed 100-300 units unless you’ve validated demand in the Chilean market first
- Before committing to a full order, list 10-20 units on Mercado Libre or Instagram for 2-3 weeks to measure genuine buyer interest and pricing tolerance
- Validate that your product is already selling on Mercado Libre (confirming demand exists) before importing; check current listings, prices, and seller reviews
- If a supplier’s MOQ exceeds your risk tolerance, request a reduction by committing to a second, larger order after the first sells successfully
- Plan a realistic sales timeline: if you estimate 6 weeks to sell 200 units, budget for 10-12 weeks instead
Cost of Prevention: $200-500 USD in sample promotion and market testing; trivial compared to the cost of dead inventory.
Mistake 3: Miscalculating Volumetric Weight (The $500-2,000 Loss)
The Error: Selecting a product based only on unit weight, ignoring its dimensions. A lightweight product that occupies significant space will be charged based on volumetric weight, not actual weight, sometimes doubling your freight costs.
Why It Happens: Importers lack familiarity with how freight is priced. Shipping companies charge for the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight to prevent abuse.
The Consequence: You negotiate $120/CBM, then discover your 500 light pillows consume 8 CBM—costing $960 instead of the anticipated $300 you calculated by weight alone.
How to Avoid It:
- Always calculate cubic meters (CBM) for your shipment before negotiating price: CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
- Example: 25 cartons of 0.45m × 0.35m × 0.40m = 0.063 CBM per carton → total 1.575 CBM
- Compare volumetric weight to actual weight: freight is charged by whichever is greater
- For light, bulky items, air freight may be more economical than sea freight, even though per-kilogram rates are higher ($9-10/kg air vs. $120/CBM sea)
- Request CBM calculations from your supplier before finalizing the order; verify they match your independent calculation
- When comparing suppliers, always compare total landed cost (FOB + freight calculated by CBM), not FOB price alone
Cost of Prevention: 15 minutes of calculation; prevents $500-2,000 in unexpected costs.
Mistake 4: Forgetting Local Costs in Chile (The $800-2,000+ Surprise)
The Error: Calculating profitability as: Retail Price – (FOB + Freight) = Profit. This ignores Chilean arancel, IVA, customs broker fees, desconsolidación, handling, storage, and transport to your warehouse.
Why It Happens: Importers focus on the international leg and neglect the final 10% of the journey, which accumulates substantial costs.
The Consequence: You calculate a $9,000 CLP profit per unit, but once you add $150,000 in broker fees, $80,000 in desconsolidación, $50,000 in handling, and $70,000 in local transport, your profit margin shrinks by 30-40%.
How to Avoid It:
- Use the complete landed cost formula:
| Component | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Product cost (FOB) | Negotiated unit price × quantity |
| International freight | CBM × $/CBM (or air rate $/kg) |
| Insurance (2%) | (FOB + freight) × 2% |
| CIF (Customs Valuation Base) | FOB + Freight + Insurance |
| Arancel (6% for most) | CIF × 6% (varies by HS code) |
| IVA (19%) | (CIF + Arancel) × 19% |
| Customs broker fee | $150K-280K CLP (varies by shipment type) |
| Desconsolidación (LCL) | $50K-100K CLP |
| Port handling | $30K-80K CLP |
| Transport to warehouse | $70K-100K CLP |
| Total Landed Cost | Sum of all above ÷ units = cost per unit |
- Before confirming your order, request a cost estimate from your customs broker including all local charges
- Add 10% contingency buffer for unexpected storage, additional handling, or tariff recalculations
- Verify minimum profit margin of 150% after all costs to ensure sustainability
Cost of Prevention: 30 minutes of detailed calculation and one phone call to a customs broker; prevents $800-2,000+ in margin surprises.
Mistake 5: Poor Communication with Suppliers (The Quality Failure)
The Error: Assuming the supplier understands your specifications without visual confirmation. You specify “stainless steel thermoses,” but the photos you approved show one color while production uses a cheaper chrome-plated steel in a different shade.
Why It Happens: Language barriers and cultural differences in business practices create misalignment. Suppliers in China may have different quality standards or interpretations of “premium” than Chilean consumers expect.
The Consequence: 500 units arrive, all non-compliant with expectations. You cannot sell them at target price; refund disputes ensue; Trade Assurance protection requires proof of defect, which is difficult if specifications were vague.
How to Avoid It:
- Provide written technical specifications in English including: exact colors, materials (e.g., “304 stainless steel, not plated,” precise dimensions with tolerances, weight, packaging details, logo placement if applicable
- Request production progress photos at 50%, 75%, and 100% completion; have supplier send these proactively
- Send a “golden sample”—a physical sample of exactly what you want—to the supplier before production begins
- Establish a custom quality checklist defining minor, major, and critical defects specific to your product
- Confirm in writing: lead time, MOQ, payment terms, shipping incoterm (FOB/CIF), and expected shipment date
- Use video calls (not just emails) when finalizing specifications; visual confirmation reduces misinterpretation
- Create a Bill of Materials (BOM) detailing every component, material grade, and assembly method if applicable
Cost of Prevention: 2-3 hours of detailed specification writing and video communication; prevents a complete order loss.
Mistake 6: Choosing the Cheapest Shipping Without Cost-Benefit Analysis (The Timing Trap)
The Error: Always selecting maritime LCL because it costs $80-120/CBM versus $9-10/kg for air. However, during the critical holiday season (October-December), maritime delays of 10-20 days cost you 50% of potential sales volume.
Why It Happens: Cost-cutting instinct dominates; importers don’t calculate opportunity cost. They see $500 saved in freight and ignore the $10,000 in missed revenue.
The Consequence: Your product arrives January 3rd, after the holiday season peak; demand plummets, inventory accumulates, margins compress.
How to Avoid It:
- Analyze shipping method by total landed cost + opportunity cost, not freight alone:
- If air freight costs $500 extra but lets you sell at peak season with 40% higher margins, the air freight pays for itself on just 50 units
- For seasonal products (gifts, holiday items, summer goods), maritime is rarely the right choice despite cost advantages
- Calculate: “If I sell this during peak season, my margin is X%. If I miss peak season and liquidate, my margin is Y%. Which shipping method maximizes total profit?”
- Use maritime only for products with year-round, stable demand
- Factor in inventory carrying costs: every month your goods sit costs you 1-2% of product value in storage, insurance, and opportunity cost
Cost of Prevention: 30 minutes of opportunity cost analysis; can add $5,000-15,000 to your profit.
Mistake 7: Running Out of Capital for Customs Duties (The Frozen Cargo)
The Error: You invest $3,000,000 CLP in product and international freight, but when cargo arrives, you lack the $800,000 CLP needed to pay arancel and IVA. Your goods sit in port for weeks, accumulating storage fees of $15,000-40,000 CLP per day.
Why It Happens: Cash flow planning is linear; importers forget that duties are due immediately upon arrival, not after the first sale.
The Consequence: Cargo is held at port indefinitely; storage fees exceed the product’s value; you ultimately lose the entire shipment or face forced liquidation at dramatic discounts.
How to Avoid It:
- Before confirming your order, request a provisional tariff estimate from your customs broker including arancel and IVA
- Calculate: Total Investment = (Product Cost + Freight) + (Estimated Arancel + IVA)
- Reserve this complete amount in your bank account before paying the supplier
- Set aside 20-30% additional capital for contingencies (unexpected storage, extra handling, tariff adjustments)
- Never invest capital you cannot afford to have immobilized for 4-6 months
- Plan cash flow with this timeline: Day 1 (30% advance) → Day 31 (70% balance) → Day 71 (import taxes) → Day 76+ (first sales)
Cost of Prevention: One conversation with a broker; prevents $50,000+ in storage fees and potential total loss.
Mistake 8: Importing Products with Regulatory Restrictions (The Seized Cargo)
The Error: Importing cosmetics, supplements, or processed foods without ISP (Instituto de Salud Pública) registration. Your 300-unit shipment arrives, gets detained, and is sent back to China or destroyed.
Why It Happens: Importers don’t research regulatory requirements before sourcing. They assume that if it’s legal to sell in China, it’s legal in Chile.
The Consequence: Total loss of shipment value plus storage/handling fees. Even worse: if you’ve already sold pre-orders or collected customer payments, you face refund obligations and reputation damage.
How to Avoid It:
- Before contacting suppliers, research whether your product category requires certification:
- Food/beverages/supplements: ISP registration
- Electronics: SEC (Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles) certification
- Agricultural products: SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) approval; fresh fruits/vegetables are prohibited
- Pharmaceuticals/cosmetics: Ministry of Health registration
- Chemicals/hazardous materials: Special labeling and transport restrictions
- Contact your customs broker in the pre-sourcing phase and ask: “Does this product require pre-import certification?”
- If certification is required, obtain pre-approval from the relevant Chilean authority before shipping goods
- For your first import, avoid heavily regulated categories (food, pharma, cosmetics); stick to unregulated items (gadgets, office supplies, accessories)
- Include compliance timeline and costs in your supplier negotiations; some suppliers can assist with certification in their home market, reducing costs
Cost of Prevention: 2-3 hours of regulatory research and one call to a broker; prevents total loss of shipment.
Mistake 9: Incorrect HS Code Classification (The Duty Overpayment or Rejection)
The Error: You classify your product under the wrong HS code, either overpaying tariffs by 20-30% or triggering a reclassification by customs that delays clearance by 2-5 days.
Why It Happens: HS codes are complex; thousands exist, and similar products can fall into different categories based on subtle material or functional differences. Importers rely on the supplier’s invoice code without independent verification.
The Consequence: Overpayment: You pay 15% tariff when the correct code is 6%, wasting $300-500 on a single shipment. Underpayment: Customs reclassifies and demands additional payment, plus penalties and processing delays.
How to Avoid It:
- You are legally liable for HS code classification, even if the supplier provided it; never assume their code is correct
- Independently verify the correct HS code at www.aduana.cl using your detailed product description
- Request official tariff verification from your customs broker before importing; they have access to tariff databases and can confirm the correct code
- HS codes are revised every 5 years; ensure you’re using current codes, not outdated ones
- For complex products (electronics, chemicals), consider obtaining a formal tariff classification ruling from Aduana Chile
- Example: Two nearly identical items may be classified as “kitchenware” (6% tariff) vs. “electrical appliances” (0% if using FTA), a massive difference
- Include the HS code and tariff rate in your landed cost calculation before confirming the order
Cost of Prevention: 30 minutes for code verification; prevents $300-1,000+ in unnecessary tariffs or reclassification delays.
Mistake 10: Documentation Inconsistencies (The Customs Delay)
The Error: The Commercial Invoice states the shipment value as $2,484 USD, but the Bill of Lading says $2,490 USD. Product descriptions are generic: “kitchenware” instead of “stainless steel thermoses, 500ml, Model X.” Customs flags these inconsistencies and demands clarification, delaying clearance by 2-3 days.
Why It Happens: Documents are prepared by different people (supplier, freight forwarder, customs agent) without unified review. Small numerical or descriptive variations are easy to miss.
The Consequence: Documentation errors cause 80% of customs delays. Even small inconsistencies trigger physical inspections, pushing clearance from 36-48 hours to 2-5+ business days.
How to Avoid It:
- Before your supplier ships, review all documents together: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading
- Verify consistency: values, quantities, descriptions, currency, shipper name, consignee address
- Use specific, detailed product descriptions: instead of “accessories,” write “stainless steel water bottle, 500ml, color: blue, weight: 0.35kg per unit”
- Ensure shipper and consignee names match exactly; no spelling variations
- Confirm the RUT (your Chilean tax ID) appears correctly on all documents
- Request the supplier to sign and stamp (official seal) all invoices, not just print them
- Ask your customs broker to review all documents before they arrive at port; catching errors early prevents delays
- Double-check the HS code and tariff rate on the invoice against your independent verification
Cost of Prevention: 1-2 hours of document review; prevents 2-5 days of customs delay and potential physical inspection.
Mistake 11: Skipping Quality Inspections (The Defect Disaster)
The Error: You validate samples, approve production, and receive 500 units—only to discover 30% have manufacturing defects. The supplier was cutting corners with materials or rushing production.
Why It Happens: Importers assume that because samples were good, the full production will be identical. They skip in-process quality inspections to save money.
The Consequence: You cannot sell defective units at full price; you liquidate at 30-50% discount, destroying your margin. If you invoke Trade Assurance, you must provide photographic evidence of defects and negotiate a refund, which is time-consuming and uncertain.
How to Avoid It:
- Conduct pre-production inspection: Before the supplier begins manufacturing your full order, have a third party verify raw materials, components, and factory setup
- Request in-line inspections during production: A third-party inspector should visit the factory at 50%, 75%, and 100% completion to verify quality
- Establish an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): Define what percentage of defects you will accept (e.g., 2.5% for minor defects, 0% for critical defects)
- Create a detailed quality checklist for your product specifying: dimensions (with tolerance), colors, materials, functionality tests, packaging
- Hire a third-party inspection service (AQL-based inspection costs $300-800 USD per shipment; far cheaper than discovering defects after arrival)
- Document your “golden sample” (ideal product) with photos, measurements, and material certificates; use this as the production standard
- Negotiate appropriate pricing with the supplier to avoid rushing production; low prices often correlate with corner-cutting
- Reserve the right to perform unannounced factory audits as part of your supplier agreement
Cost of Prevention: $300-800 USD for third-party inspection; prevents $5,000-15,000+ in defective inventory.
Mistake 12: Not Understanding Incoterms (The Liability Confusion)
The Error: You agree to FOB terms but believe the supplier is responsible for insurance and customs clearance. When goods are lost in transit or arrive damaged, you discover you assumed all risk the moment goods were loaded in Shanghai.
Why It Happens: Incoterms are poorly understood; importers conflate them with the supplier’s friendliness or willingness to “help out.”
The Consequence: You lose $10,000 USD when your shipment is damaged and you lack insurance, or you face unexpected logistics costs you assumed the supplier was covering.
How to Avoid It:
- Understand the three primary Incoterms for China-Chile imports:
| Incoterm | Supplier Responsibility | Your Responsibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Prepares goods in factory | Everything: transportation, export docs, freight, import, customs | Experienced importers, cost-sensitive, large orders |
| FOB | Loads goods on vessel/aircraft | Freight, insurance, import, customs | Standard; most recommended for first imports |
| CIF | Delivers to Chilean port; includes freight & insurance | Customs clearance, local transport, import duties | Beginners; simpler but usually 10-15% more expensive |
- If using FOB, always purchase cargo insurance (typically 1-2% of shipment value); the small premium prevents catastrophic loss
- When negotiating, be explicit: “I want to import FOB terms. Please confirm that you load the goods on the vessel and provide the Bill of Lading. I will arrange and pay for international freight and insurance.”
- Request a written quote (proforma invoice) that explicitly states the Incoterm, FOB price, and what’s included
Cost of Prevention: 30 minutes of Incoterm research and explicit confirmation; prevents $5,000-10,000+ in disputes or unexpected costs.
Mistake 13: Missing Certificate of Origin (The Lost FTA Benefits)
The Error: You negotiate a 0% tariff rate under the China-Chile Free Trade Agreement, but your supplier fails to provide a Certificate of Origin. Customs classifies your goods under the general tariff rate of 6%, costing you $150-300 in unnecessary duties.
Why It Happens: Importers don’t request the Certificate of Origin in writing; suppliers assume it’s not needed or include it late, after the DIN (import declaration) has already been filed.
The Consequence: You overpay tariffs on your first shipment and lose the FTA advantage. Over multiple imports, this compounds to thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes.
How to Avoid It:
- In your purchase order, explicitly require: “Certificate of Origin (Form A or CO) required for FTA benefits”
- Confirm that the supplier will provide the original Certificate of Origin by express courier within 2 days of shipment
- Include Certificate of Origin in your customs broker briefing; they will incorporate it into the DIN filing
- Verify your product qualifies for FTA: While ~98% of goods do, some categories (certain electronics, chemicals) may have specific rules
- Request your customs broker to confirm the HS code and FTA eligibility before the goods arrive
Cost of Prevention: One sentence in your purchase order; saves $150-300+ per shipment.
Mistake 14: Inadequate Supplier Due Diligence on Documentation (The Fraud Risk)
The Error: A supplier provides you with certifications (ISO, RoHS compliance, factory audit reports) that you later discover were fabricated. Advanced AI-generated deepfakes and forged documents are increasingly common.
Why It Happens: Visual inspection of PDFs is insufficient; forged certificates now include fake QR codes linking to cloned websites. Importers don’t verify authenticity through official channels.
The Consequence: You rely on certifications that don’t exist; later, Chilean authorities reject goods, or you face liability if products fail compliance standards.
How to Avoid It:
- Verify all certifications independently:
- For ISO certificates, contact the issuing body (e.g., TÜV, DNV) directly; never rely on the supplier’s copy
- For audit reports, contact the audit firm directly; verify the audit date, scope, and findings
- For business licenses and registrations, verify through official Chinese government databases (SAMR) or use a third-party verification service
- Conduct on-site factory audits for orders exceeding $10,000 USD; audits by reputable firms (e.g., SGS, HQTS) are impossible to fake
- Request that certifications come with the supplier’s official stamp/seal and include contact information for verification
- Include certification verification as a condition of payment: “Payment due upon receipt of verified certifications”
Cost of Prevention: $100-300 for independent certification verification; prevents $10,000+ in liability.
Mistake 15: Absence of Pre-Sales Strategy (The Inventory Gridlock)
The Error: Your 500-unit shipment arrives, but you haven’t prepared sales channels, product photography, or marketing. You scramble to list items on Mercado Libre with poor photos and vague descriptions. Sales trickle in; inventory sits for 4-6 months.
Why It Happens: Importers focus entirely on the supply side and neglect demand creation. They assume “if I bring it, they will buy.”
The Consequence: Capital is tied up longer than planned; storage costs accumulate; psychological pressure leads to below-cost liquidation; your margin vanishes.
How to Avoid It:
- Before confirming your order, prepare your sales infrastructure:
- Create your Mercado Libre account and prepare a template listing with product photos and description
- Prepare professional photography (white background, multiple angles, usage context)
- Write detailed product descriptions that sell benefits, not just features
- Set up Instagram Business account and prepare 10-15 content pieces for launch week
- Validate demand 2-3 weeks before import arrival: List a small batch (20-50 units) on Mercado Libre to measure buyer interest, acceptable price point, and questions
- Plan your launch strategy: Week 1 (heavy Mercado Libre focus), Week 2-3 (Instagram + direct sales), Week 4+ (email/WhatsApp to repeat customers)
- Budget marketing spend: expect to invest 5-10% of product cost in advertising (Mercado Libre featured listings, Instagram ads) to drive initial traction
- Commit to a maximum holding period (e.g., “I will sell this entire inventory within 90 days or pivot”); don’t let dead inventory linger indefinitely
Cost of Prevention: $200-500 USD in marketing spend + 10 hours of prep work; maximizes return by ensuring rapid sales velocity.
Avoiding Supplier Fraud: The Advanced Red Flags
Fraud is the most devastating mistake. Beyond basic vetting, watch for these sophisticated scams:
Red Flag 1: Unrealistically Low Pricing
A quoted price 30-50% below market rate is likely a bait-and-switch scheme. The supplier delivers a cheap substitute that fails quality checks.
Red Flag 2: Pressure to Wire Funds to Personal Accounts
Legitimate suppliers use company bank accounts, registered with their business license. Personal account demands indicate fraud.
Red Flag 3: Last-Minute Bank Detail Changes
If a supplier suddenly requests payment to a new account via email, verify directly by phone or Alibaba messaging (never click links in emails; they may be phishing). Hacked emails are a common fraud vector.
Red Flag 4: Factory Visits Discouraged
A supplier that refuses or discourages third-party inspections or your own factory visit is hiding something.
Red Flag 5: Communication Delays Post-Payment
If the supplier becomes evasive or slow to respond after you’ve paid, this precedes a scam. Legitimate suppliers maintain rapid communication throughout production.
Red Flag 6: Generic or Recycled Production Photos
Use reverse image search (Google Images, TinEye) on factory photos provided by the supplier. If the images appear on other companies’ websites, the “factory” is fabricated.
Summary: A Preventive Checklist
Before confirming any order from a Chinese supplier, run through this checklist:
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier Vetting | Verify Social Credit Code, contact 5+ suppliers, check 3+ years history, conduct factory audit if >$10K | Week 1-2 |
| Samples | Order samples from top 2-3 candidates; validate quality | Week 2-4 |
| Market Validation | Pre-sell 20-50 units on Mercado Libre to confirm demand | Week 4-5 |
| Cost Calculation | Calculate complete landed cost including CBM, arancel, IVA, local fees; add 10% buffer | Week 5 |
| Compliance Check | Verify HS code, tariff rate, and any certifications required (ISP, SAG, SEC) with customs broker | Week 5 |
| Documentation | Request detailed specs, golden sample, quality checklist, COO certificate, and all certifications | Week 6 |
| Capital Reserve | Ensure you have capital reserved for duties, broker fees, and 30-day contingency | Week 6 |
| Sales Prep | Prepare Mercado Libre listing, Instagram account, product photography | Week 6-7 |
| Order Confirmation | Confirm Trade Assurance active, written terms (FOB/CIF, lead time, MOQ), payment 30/70 split | Week 8 |
| Pre-Production | Request third-party pre-production inspection of materials and factory setup | Week 9 |
| In-Process Quality | Request in-process inspections at 50%, 75%, 100% completion | Week 9-12 |
| Customs Preparation | Brief customs broker on shipment details, obtain provisional tariff estimate | Week 11-12 |
| Shipment Monitoring | Track shipment, confirm documents received from supplier, send to broker | Week 12-16 |
| Import Clearance | Confirm payment of arancel/IVA ready; broker handles DIN filing and release | Week 16-17 |
| Launch Sales | Heavy marketing push; validate sales velocity and customer feedback | Week 17-20 |
By systematically working through each step and avoiding the 15 mistakes outlined above, you dramatically increase the odds of a profitable, hassle-free import.