Visit Haiti to import art.
Haitian artists transform 55-gallon steel oil drums into works of art, and exporting this art is a way for skilled craftsmen to make a fair wage. But Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and it is not technologically advanced, so finding wholesale providers of this type of artwork can be almost impossible without first visiting the country and a metal-art broker to make purchasing arrangements. The broker is the business or person who purchases the artwork from the artists and displays it in a store or gallery. He then helps the foreign customer with their shipping needs. The United States is Haiti's main trading partner, and most metal-art brokers understand the export process for this product.
Instructions
1. Visit Haiti and locate Croix-des-Bouquets in Haiti. This is the area known for its steel drum metal art. Locate several metal-art brokers working with the best Haitian artists and ask for a wholesale price. Ask the provider if he is willing to ship to your country.
2. Obtain important information, such as the business name, phone number and email address from potential art providers you want to work with. Place a small order with at least two providers and ask them to ship the product to you. Small orders can usually be shipped via the mail, UPS or FedEx, unless the items are large. Ship a few of your items home to see how long the shipping process takes and which shipping company works best when sending small items. Expect to pay additional import duties at the post office or package-shipping company when picking up the merchandise.
3. Contract an international shipping company such as Crowley Shipping Services, Caribbean Shipping Service or S&D Cargo Shipping when you decide to order a large amount of metal art. The shipping company will know what documentation you need and give you the forms to fill out. Get quotes from two or three shipping companies so you can compare prices. Choose the company you want to work with and fill out any paperwork they need. Keep copies of all purchase receipts, as these will need to be listed on the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) importation documentation. Often, this paperwork will be filled out by the metal-art supplier if you are placing the order over the phone. Ask for an estimated time of delivery, which is usually between 15 and 30 days.
4. Visit the Customs and Border Protection office at the port of entry where the merchandise will enter, to verify that there are no additional regulations you have to meet for a large importation of oil-drum metal art. Ask about any duty you will need to pay to have a large shipment of Haitian metal art delivered to you.
5. Wait to be notified of the merchandise delivery. Pick up the shipment and pay any duty tax.
