Buying first is the costly order
Certain goods are prohibited, restricted or need permits, licences or approvals from a regulatory body before they can be cleared. A supplier will rarely check this for you — their job ends at export.
What to do instead
Share the product description with your clearing agent before placing the order. Classification and import-control checks can influence whether, and how, the transaction should proceed.
If a permit is required, the lead time for obtaining it may be longer than the lead time for the goods themselves.
Check the import requirements first, then place the order.
This article is general guidance, not legal or customs advice for a specific shipment. Duty rates, tariff codes and regulatory requirements change — confirm current requirements for your goods with CGS.