Hello Legs-akimbo
In relation to import duty and taxes, the following is an outline.
1) Depending on the description of the commodity, the materials used etc, the goods will have to be classified from a customs point of view. Based on the summary description you indicate, I believe the Customs Tariff nr is 9406003100. That would be subject to verification, but if correct the rate of duty is 2.7%.
2) The Duty is calculated over the cost of the product (invoice value) plus freight cost and marine/cargo insurance.
3) VAT, currently 21%, is calculated over the the above plus duty. If you are a VAT registered trader the VAT paid at the point of entry is a deductible input and reclaimable through your VAT return.
A few general comments when doing business in China ;
1) Make sure you research your supplier. Eamo Keating's suggestion of using a solicitor, especially one with an office in Shanghai and obvious experience in dealing with China trade is an option. Another option is to talk to specialist companies that source products on behalf of Irish clients in China. They could do background checks on your prospective suppliers and perform pre-shipment inspections in the factory
2) Take charge of the shipping process. Check the cost of shipping by contacting forwarders based in Ireland who offer services from China. I have seen horror stories where the shipping was left to the supplier, who got an unrealistically low rate and where the chinese forwarder, through the agent in Europe / Ireland collected the difference (and then some) in the form of a socalled "China Import Service Fee" on arrival. The problem at that stage is that you are committed. You have paid for the Merchandise, the supplier does a song and dance but claims to be helpless in all this and you have no choice but to pay up. The principle "Emptor Caveat" applies.
3) Incoterms ; When negotiating an international sales contract, both parties need to pay as much attention to the terms of sale as to the sales price. To make it as clear as possible, an international set of trade terms (INCOTERMS) has been adopted by most countries that defines exactly the responsibilities and risks of both the buyer and seller including while the merchandise is in transit. Devised and published by the International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms are at the heart of world trade. Among the best known are EXW (Ex works), FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), and CPT (Carriage Paid To). ICC introduced the first version of Incoterms - short for "International Commercial Terms" - in 1936. Since then, ICC expert lawyers and trade practitioners have updated them seven times to keep pace with the development of international trade.
4) Marine Cargo insurance is often a forgotton / overlooked aspect. A lot of shippers and consignees assume that the carrier - since they are in charge of the goods during the shipping process - has the obligation to make good losses in case of damage or theft or total loss. Under International conventions (such as the Hague Visby rules, soon to be replaced by the Rotterdam rules) the carriers can (and will) rely on limitation and exclusion clauses as part of the terms and conditions they impose through the shipping contract (Bill of Lading). Even if they have to accept liability, their maximum liability is often only a small fraction of the actual value of the goods. Make sure that General Average is included in the policy you take out.
Feel free to contact me or post again if you need any further assistance
Cheers,
Rudolf289