Frequently asked questions.
Introduction
Everything we get asked before, during, and after onboarding. If you don't see your question, contact the team and we'll add it.
About XIMGlobal.
How does XIMGlobal actually work?
We are a UK-registered company that acts as your virtual export arm. You keep producing in India; we handle what happens once a product leaves the factory: digitising the catalogue, filing compliance documents, storing samples in our Corsham warehouse, introducing you to verified UK and EU buyers, coordinating logistics, and managing the paperwork on the UK side.
Who is XIMGlobal a good fit for?
Global manufacturers, producers, and SMEs who meet three criteria:
- You make export-grade products in one of our supported categories.
- You have basic export documentation in order — IEC, GSTIN, and FSSAI or equivalent category-specific licences.
- You want UK or EU market access but don’t want to set up an overseas entity yet.
We’re not a good fit for one-off shipments, services-only businesses, or businesses without any existing export documentation.
Is XIMGlobal actually UK-registered?
Yes. XIMGlobal Limited is a UK-registered company with our operational office at Ground Floor, A1 & A2, Methuen Park, Corsham, Chippenham, SN14 0GT. You can verify company details at Companies House. Our VAT registration and UK banking mean partners contract with a British entity, not an offshore intermediary.
Virtual warehouse and logistics.
What is a virtual warehouse?
A virtual warehouse is a physical warehouse operated by a third party on your behalf — you use the infrastructure without leasing the real estate, hiring the staff, or carrying the compliance burden. Our Corsham facility holds samples and serves as a dispatch point for small UK and EU orders.
For larger shipments, we use a hub-and-spoke model: goods ship container-by-container from India through our freight partners to UK ports, clear customs, and distribute directly to UK and EU buyers without routing through Corsham.
Where are goods physically stored?
Three options depending on your product category and shipment type:
- Samples and small SKUs — stored in our Corsham, Wiltshire facility.
- Container-scale inventory — stored in bonded warehouses at UK ports (Felixstowe, Tilbury, Southampton) until buyer dispatch.
- Dropship-style — large orders ship direct from India to the buyer with XIMGlobal handling all paperwork.
We’ll recommend the right mix during the partner assessment.
Who handles customs clearance?
XIMGlobal handles customs clearance on both sides. In India, we coordinate with your freight forwarder for export documentation, shipping bill, and bill of lading. In the UK, our customs team handles import clearance, duty calculation, and HMRC filings. EU customers receive goods that have already cleared UK customs; onward EU movement may involve additional paperwork under post-Brexit rules, which we manage.
Which product categories do you support?
Food & beverages, high-value processed food, textiles & garments, leather & footwear, handicrafts, eco-friendly & biodegradable products, pet products, health & beauty, baby care, religious & cultural goods, and sports goods & apparel. If your category isn’t on the list, contact us — we assess new categories individually.
We don’t handle: perishables requiring cold chain beyond standard refrigeration, hazardous goods, pharmaceuticals, or anything restricted under UK/EU import law.
UK and EU compliance.
Do I need UKCA marking for my products?
Depends on the product. UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is required for products in regulated categories — most electrical goods, machinery, toys, PPE, and construction products being the common ones. Food, cosmetics, textiles, and most consumer handicrafts don’t need UKCA but have their own labelling and safety rules.
Our compliance team assesses every product during onboarding and tells you exactly what marking, testing, and documentation each SKU needs before it can be sold in the UK.
What's changing with the India–EU Free Trade Agreement?
The India–EU FTA is currently moving toward ratification. When it comes into force, it’s expected to eliminate or reduce customs duties on a significant share of Global exports to the EU — textiles, seafood, leather, gems, and chemicals are among the early beneficiaries.
Lower tariffs don’t eliminate compliance requirements. EU product safety rules (GPSR), environmental rules (REACH for chemicals), and category-specific certifications remain in force regardless of tariff changes. Read our full India–EU FTA guide →
Does XIMGlobal handle GPSR compliance?
Yes. The EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into force on 13 December 2024 and applies to most non-food consumer products sold in the EU. It requires a designated EU-based Responsible Person for every product, safety documentation, traceability labelling, and incident reporting.
XIMGlobal provides GPSR Responsible Person services for producers selling into the EU, including documentation review, labelling guidance, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
Getting started.
How long does onboarding take?
The realistic timeline from first enquiry to first export:
- Day 1 — Submit the enquiry form.
- Days 1–3 — Initial call with our team.
- Weeks 1–2 — Product assessment and written readiness brief.
- Weeks 2–3 — Agreement signed and onboarding begins.
- Weeks 3–6 — Digitisation, compliance documentation, buyer introductions.
- Weeks 6–10 — First order typically lands.
Producers with clean documentation and ready photography often compress this to 4–5 weeks. New categories may take 10–12 weeks.
