As a trading company, how do we hide supplier?

[afham07]

Dear all,

Recently, I have formed a company in Singapore as a trading company for food stuffs. As food stuffs, the clearance of cargo may need (necessary in some countries) Health Certificate, Certificate of Origin which clearly shows the manufacturer of the product. As a trading company, we definitely want to hide our supplier details.

How do we do to hide it? There are many successful trading companies but how do they hide their supplier details from their client?

Thanks.

[Strong Eagle]

You probably can't. You must supply government agencies with your supplier information and that information is generally public. They do this because the government wants food trading to be transparent.

PS: I would never purchase from you if you would not tell me where you got your merchandise.

[natleinad]

Funnel through a proxy company.

Suppliers send to proxy company

Proxy company send to trading company

[Strong Eagle]

Funnel through a proxy company.

Suppliers send to proxy company

Proxy company send to trading company

It doesn't matter. The importer still has to

(a) Submit documentary proof (one time submission) that the imported products are manufactured in a premise regulated by the competent authority (e.g. certified true copy of the manufacturer's licence)

(b) Submission of microbiological report (once every 6 months).

If you're talking about food from Malaysia, then this quote regarding fruits and vegetables pretty much sums things up.

(i) All ready to eat minimally processed cut/peeled fruits and vegetables must be obtained from producers registered and certified by Malaysian Ministry of Health.

(ii) All importers are required to register with AVA's Quarantine & Inspection Group (QIG) and produce documentary proof that the producer of their ready to eat minimally processed cut/peeled fruits and vegetables is registered and certified by Malaysian Ministry of Health. AVA (QIG) will issue a Registration Number and an Establishment Code to the importer of each successful application.

So, the original manufacturer must be on file and that is public record. You can't just say you bought from your proxy company.

[johnkcp]

Hi Afham,

It definitely can be done. The key point lies on your freight forwarding company.

You could re-invoicing your supplier's invoice and packing list under your company name.

And also you could instruct the forwarder states your company as shipper on bill of lading instead of your supplier as the shipper.

[Strong Eagle]

Hi Afham,

It definitely can be done. The key point lies on your freight forwarding company.

You could re-invoicing your supplier's invoice and packing list under your company name.

And also you could instruct the forwarder states your company as shipper on bill of lading instead of your supplier as the shipper.

No, you CAN'T do it. No matter how many forwarders or middle men you go through you still must submit documentation for the producer or origin. Otherwise, you are in violation of the law.

Please don't supply incorrect information.

[johnkcp]

Hi Strong Eagle,

It’s not violate any regulations as it is allowed under Singapore custom. This is so called “back to back” certificate of origins. Please check if you are not sure how this industry is worked. Many exporters and importers are doing this.

[Strong Eagle]

Hi Strong Eagle,

It’s not violate any regulations as it is allowed under Singapore custom. This is so called “back to back” certificate of origins. Please check if you are not sure how this industry is worked. Many exporters and importers are doing this.

I suggest you take some time a read the AVA's import requirements. They want ORIGINATION documentation. Your back to back better have the originating supplier somewhere.

[johnkcp]

Dear Strong Eagle,

For your reading.

https://www.quora.com/Import-Export-Wha ... BOL-and-CI

[Strong Eagle]

Dear Strong Eagle,

For your reading.

https://www.quora.com/Import-Export-Wha ... BOL-and-CI

The author of the article is incorrect. Read the AVA website. Singapore will not accept the Hong Kong entity documentation. They will want you to prove up the origin documentation, wherever that might be, and no matter how long the import chain might be.

It only makes sense, "John", or whomever you are. The AVA is charged with food safety. Why would they be willing to accept documentation from an importer within the food chain when that could leave them liable for failure to catch dodgy shipments of food.

Call the AVA yourself. Ask them if they'll take the Hong Kong company as the origin source of foodstuffs. I'll make a substantial bet they won't, because, just like money laundering, it hides the true source, and there is nothing that the AVA can gain by being willing to participate in that game.