Logistics of success

May 31 at the first At the Moscow Fashion Industry Forum, which brought together top players of the domestic and global fashion industry, among the main reasons hindering the development of fashion business in Russia, the participants named weak logistics and difficulties associated with customs regulation.

Indeed, despite the tremendous efforts of the business community, as well as the hope that the entry into force of the new Customs Code will lead to positive changes and optimization of administration, issues related to the conduct of foreign trade remain among the most difficult.

The specifics of the customs legislation and the norms established by it are extremely relevant for business: on the one hand, the fashion industry in our country today is extremely import-dependent, and on the other hand, the development of already established Russian designers is impossible without entering foreign markets.

Buyers declare with one voice: they are ready to buy clothes designed & made in Russia, however, everyone has a sad experience of non-compliance by local companies with the delivery dates of collections due to improperly arranged logistics and delays associated with customs clearance. The buyer needs to clearly understand whether the brand will be able to cope with logistics from production to customs and delivery and whether it will do it on time. The market does not forgive mistakes in these matters.

For the sake of success, an entrepreneur must systematize all knowledge and individual facts about one of the most difficult stages of the whole process, namely, customs clearance. This is necessary in order to control the entire logistics supply chain, and the goods got to the retailer in accordance with the main criterion of quality logistics at the exact time, in the exact place, with minimal costs.

Here are five main directions of customs clearance of goods, which the owner or the head of the company is simply obliged to understand:

1. The correctness of the definition of the HS code.
2. Competent calculation of customs duties and payments to be paid.
3. Precise selection of permits required for import (declarations of conformity, certificates of state registration, etc.).
4. Application and confirmation of the customs value of the goods.
5. Compliance with all norms and requirements of the legislation regulating the protection of intellectual property.

Assessment of the realities of the modern market shows: The Russian fashion industry has dizzying prospects today, but a successful brand strategy is built only on well-established business processes. Design may or may not be their basis, but without a properly built and regulated logistics mechanism with a reasonable amount of control on the part of the owner or manager, even the most ingenious idea and a cool startup are doomed.

Go ahead, develop, optimize your business – experts will help you with this! After all, as Francis Bacon said, three things make a nation great and prosperous: fertile soil, active industry and ease of movement of people and goods.

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