Continue to Read Online or Download as a Free ebook: HERE

Introduction
Chapter 1. Software
Chapter 2. Printers and Self Publishing
Chapter 3. Manufactures
Chapter 4. Import/Export

Ascension 2012 The Shift

We're Go An Ah Bring Your Game to Life

So you have decided to make your very own Board or Card Games.
It is time to consider your manufacture options.
  Mass producing your games will take up much of your time and a considerable expense.
So be sure you understand this before committing to more than you can manage.

I suggest you first read Step 2 of this tutorial before proceeding.
At least consider protection before you commit to turning your creation into a physical product.
Legally you need to have done most or all of the following first.
 
You have chosen a suitable business or company name with a matching logo.
You have registered this business or company to allow trade.
You have registered this business or company logo as a Trademark.
You have selected an appropriate name and logo for your game.
You have registered a Trademark for your game's name and logo.
You have filed a Patent Application with the appropriate authority.

The next step is design. The cards and board, the box, the rules etc.
You need a theme to your artwork that flows and is unique to your game and company.
To do this you can pay an artist or designer or you can use your own PC.
Chapter 1. Design, Software and graphics will explain some ideas on how the latter can be achieved.

Go Ah Ah Make it!
In "Step 1. Invent" of this tutorial we demonstrated the development of a Board Game to a playable stage. Hopefully you have tested yours on friends and relatives for valuable feedback.

The first decision we need to explore is whether to "make or have made".
Here is an article from the Australian Toy Association:
Guide for Budding Inventors
Chapter 2. will cover the details of equipment and methods needed to self publish.
After establishing the cost effectiveness and viability of self publishing, we compare the alternatives. Do we send our project to a game board manufacturer?
Chapter 3. of the tutorial will explore the advantages and disadvantages of employing a Printing Company to manufacture for you. Our games will need packaging, bar codes, pawns etc.

Chapter 4. will cover Import/Export/Shipping  and Tariffs.
The product arrives and we have the inventory safely in our possession.
Should we approach an existing game company to sell our game to them?
Note: You should consider Trademark and Patent protection first.
So let's study our options in more detail.

Ascension 2012 The Shift

Disclaimer:
This tutorial contains opinions and ideas of the author.
This tutorial is published with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering professional services. The author is not a qualified Lawyer, Patent Attorney or Advisor and therefore disclaims any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that may arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of the use and application of any of the contents of this tutorial.
In this tutorial the author explains the process used to write his own patent and is not intended to be legal advice.
Links to relevant websites are provided to help Board Game Designers and Inventors locate information and the author does not guarantee the validity of this information and recommends professional advice should be sought where appropriate.

Having the correct software is essential in the design, quality and finish of your game.


For all you Windows people:
You will find Adobe Writer, Microsoft Word, Adobe Photo-shop and Adobe Illustrator essential.
These all cost money. I prefer to use free software.

The following are equivalent quality programs for free download that will replace all of the said programs.


OpenOffice.org will replace Adobe Writer and Microsoft Word. It can be dowloaded and installed on your Windows operating system: http://www.openoffice.org/


GIMP will replace Adobe Photo-shop and Adobe Illustrator. GIMP can be downloaded and installed on your Windows operating system.

Get it here: http://gimp.en.softonic.com/
or here: http://www.gimp.org/windows/

However I am not a Microsoft person. I run my entire business, create my own board games and create my website without Microsoft. I am writing this tutorial using KompoZer in Ubuntu.

For an operating system I use "Linux-Ubuntu" on my PC.


I have used other distributions of Linux such as Linux Mint, Fedora, Open Suse, Mandrake and Mandriva. Ubuntu is my favourite so far. There  are too many to mention.

I use GIMP Image Editor, KolourPaint and OpenOffice.org Drawing for graphics.
For Text I use OpenOffice.org Word Processor which is ideal as I can export as PDF.
All of the programs I just mentioned and the operating system are free.
If you decide to install Ubuntu, you can keep Windows on your PC also.

The following guide is included to help those that choose to use Free Software.
If you prefer spending money, feel free to skip this section.

First BACKUP EVERYTHING!!
Copy your personal files you cannot afford to lose onto a portable hard drive, DVD or CD.
You don't need to backup programs that you have the original disc to reinstall.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for the outcome of you following this tutorial.
This is only a guide. If everything important is backed up then you shouldn't have anything to lose.
Please read some Ubuntu sites to familiarize yourself with the process before you begin.
http://www.thebuzzmedia.com/a-manual-for-the-ubuntu-linux-beginner/
http://paulstamatiou.com/how-to-ubuntu-linux-for-novices

(Tip: Microsoft needs to be installed on the PC first.
If you put Linux Ubuntu on first and then try to add Microsoft;
Microsoft will not recognise Linux and will probably format over the top of it.)


My Desktop Screenshot

Get Ubuntu here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Download or FTP it to your hard drive.
It will take long time to download, so let it download overnight and install it in the morning.
Usually the downloaded file will be an ISO Image.
Use Nero or something similar to burn the image to disc.
Don't burn the image inside a folder on the CD.


When burnt to disc, put the Ubuntu disc back into the CD drive and restart the PC.
The setup will ask if you want to install Ubuntu beside Windows on a separate partition or install it instead of Windows. Put it beside Windows for now until you find you no longer need Windows.

You will need to give Ubuntu at least 5 gig of hard drive, but more would be better if you have it.
You will need a fast PC suitable to run XP. Ie 1 GB CPU with 512MB Ram.
Unless you have previously installed Windows yourself, I suggest you read the Ubuntu site thoroughly first.
Ubuntu setup is much the same as Windows setup and asks the usual questions.
What country is your location?
What is the current Timezone?
Do you use a US Keyboard?
Create a Username and Password etc.

After install your PC will restart.
You will be prompted to choose which operating system to start.
Use the up down arrows to select Ubuntu.

If you try to play mp3's, WMA, WMV etc.
You will be prompted to download and install restricted extras.
The legalities depends on your country.

You may be used to using Internet Explorer to browse the Internet, in Ubuntu you will use firefox webbrowser.
In Ubuntu you will use OpenOffice.org to do the tasks you previously used Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel and Publisher.
You may use Evolution Mail or Mozilla Thunderbird for your email.

You will have to download some programs that you didn't get with the install.
Click on Applications and then Ubuntu Software Centre.
Search for and install the following or similar programs.

Congratulations!
Now the fun part - Learn Linux!
Practice manipulating images. Get to know your way around GIMP.
Get some photos or clipart and practice giving a transparent background.
Save a document in OpenOffice Writer as a .doc and then as an .odt
Export it as a .pdf
Play in KolourPaint.
Rip some CD's to a music folder.
Open Rhythmbox and add the music folder to the library.

It will seem unfamiliar at first, but if you give Linux a chance you may get to like using free software. Like many others you may even leave the windows sheeple for good.
This will be a day of celebration indeed.

Ubuntu seems to run faster and more securely and you will notice the difference.
If you need help or just want to read a tutorial, go to:
http://ubuntuforums.org/

To help you understand which programs in Linux I use for each task I have included the following example. This is how I made the image at the top of the page.

Creating the Rectangle
I made the rectangle with a pink/purple gradient in OpenOffice.org Drawing. I double clicked the centre of it to add the text.
I then gave the text a clear background and changed the font to dark red Comic Sans MS.
I then saved it. I copied and pasted it into KolourPaint

Creating the Oval Go An Ah Play Games Logo
I made the oval with a gradient background in OpenOffice.org Word Processor.
I thickened and coloured the border and pasted the images and text boxes onto the oval.
I saved the document as .odt and exported it as a .pdf file.
I opened the .pdf version in GIMP Image Editor at 300dpi.
I selected a rectangle around the oval image.
I copied and pasted it as a new image.
I saved this image as a .png and didn't save the background.
I made the background transparent and adjusted the size and dots per inch to suit the rectangle.

Putting Oval Logo onto Rectangle
I selected oval in GIMP and copied and pasted onto the pink rectangle in KolourPaint.
I saved it as header.png in a folder with my other web page images.

Adding Finished Header Logo to the Internet
I opened a New Page in KompoZer.
I inserted the header.png logo and wrote the page body text in KompoZer.
I uploaded the page using Firefox.

I hope this gives you more of an idea on which programs and how to use them in Ubuntu.
Explore - Play - Have Fun!

Return to Chapter Selection

To self publish your game, you will need to purchase a printer.


Morguefile Free Photo http://morguefile.com/license/morguefile/

A Colour Laser A3 Printer capable of printing card size of up to 250 gsm (card thickness) would be the minimum requirement.
(Note: My spelling is Australian so for US readers it is Color Lazer I think.)


http://www.openclipart.org/detail/18375

Some examples of A3 Colour Laser Printers 220gsm and up.
Do your own search as products change often.

Konica magicolor 8650DN to 256gsm
http://www.konicaminolta.eu/business-solutions/products/laser-printers/colour/magicolor-8650dn/introduction.html

Kyocera FS-C8100DN with Multi-Purpose Tray to 220gsm
http://kyoceramita.com.au/fsc8100dn.asp

Oki C9800 with Multi-Purpose Tray to 268gsm
Oki C9800GA with Multi-Purpose Tray to 268gsm
Oki C9850 with Multi-Purpose Tray to 300gsm
Oki C9850N with Multi-Purpose Tray to 300gsm
http://www.okiprintingsolutions.com/
InfoPrint Colour 1767 to 220 gsm
InfoPrint with Large Capacity Tray to 300 gsm
http://www.infoprint.com/internet/ipww.nsf/vwwebpublished/home_en#h4/

Fuji Xerox DocuPrint C3055DX to 216 gsm
Phaser 7760 to 220 gsm
DocuPrint C2255 to 256 gsm
http://www.fujixeroxprinters.com/

After you have printed your own cards, you will need to round the corners, make a box, locate pawns (game tokens) and perhaps shrink wrap the final product.
I was considering this option until I found it was cheaper to have the entire game manufactured than it was to purchase the printer.
So in the next chapter I will share with you how I went about having my invention manufactured.

Return to Chapter Selection
Ascension 2012 The Shift

Board game manufacturers and suppliers of parts.

I wish to include in this Tutorial only the manufacturers I have dealt with personally.
If you are a manufacturer or wish to add a manufacturer's details, please visit the Go An Ah Play Games Blog and leave a comment, Here...

I was unable to find a manufacturer of board games in Australia, so I needed to look overseas.

Print Masters India

Atul Sehgal
Print Masters India
C-178, Electronic City. Sector 63,
Noida-201301, (U.P) India
PH: 0091-120-4237449 / 450
FAX: 0091-120-4237451 / 452
www.playingcardsindia.com
www.eplayingcards.com
sales@playingcardsindia.com

Atul Sehgal is willing to match quotes from China. However I chose China as I could not get a sample of the finished product from Print Masters India before mass production.

LongPack

This is the manufacturer of choice for my needs.

Joseph Zhou is extremely friendly, careful to get all details correct, responds quickly to emails.

The game box's are hand made to a very high quality. I receive a sample (at a cost of $450) of the complete finished product before mass production commences.

After I have given approval and paid the 50% first payment, mass production begins.
Another sample of the finished product is sent for approval and then 50% final payment is paid.

Included: shrinkwrapped boxes, pawns. platform, cards, softboxes, outer box etc. They do the lot (except the artwork, which you ftp to them). Minimum order 1,000 is a good starting point and there are savings for larger orders.

Joseph Zhou

Sales Manager
Longpack Co., Ltd.
805A, No.8-9, Max Mall
1500 Lane Lianhua South Rd.
Shanghai 201108 PR China
Tel: +86 21 5169 6158
Fax: +86 21 5169 6156
Mobile: +86 139 1796 5275
Email: joseph@longpack.com
www.longpack.com
www.printedinchina.com

Return to Chapter Selection
Ascension 2012 The Shift

Manufacturers of Parts and the Board Game Community
Here you will find Useful Links to Game Expo's, Websites and Blogs
In Each Case, Click on the link to Visit the Website.

Game Master Dice
You need dice. You not only need to buy dice but you want the type of dice that bounce well and feel good in the palm of your hand. Most of all, you want them to be Your Dice!
http://www.gmdice.com/

Ningbo Royalwill
Ningbo Royalwill
Game Token, Pawn, Game Piece Manufacturer, industrial supplies, board game and gifts division. For industrial supplies, our main focus is on plastic and injection molding building, injection tooling, machining, casting and forging.
http://royalwill.en.alibaba.com/aboutus.html

LongPack
Shanghai China
"I use this company for my manufacture. They cannot be faulted. First Class Quality and Service. Joseph Zhou is very friendly".
David: Go An Ah Play Games
http://www.longpack.com/

Koplow Games

KOPLOW GAMES IS A FULL LINE SUPPLIER OF DICE AND GAME ACCESSORIES.
http://www.koplowgames.com/

Barcodes Limited
is owned by a charitable trust (Kings Trust).
All profits go to charitable purposes.
"I recomend Barcodes Limited, I purchase my barcodes from David Allis". David: Go An Ah Play Games
http://barcodesaustralia.com/about.htm

Board Games Australia
Boardgames Australia is a non-profit organisation founded in 2007 to stimulate the growth and raise the profile of boardgaming in Australia.
http://www.boardgamesaustralia.org.au/home

This is a big learning curve if you have not imported before.
You will learn new terms like FOB, CIF, Tariffs, Import Duty, Freight Forwarding, Bill of Lading and Consignee. For this reason I have begun this chapter with some explanation of terms to assist in understanding.

SHIPPING TERMS

CFR	CIF	CIP	CPT	DAF	DDP	DDU
DEQ	DES	EXW	FAS	FCA	FOB

CFR

Cost and Freight (... named port of destination)

Cost and Freight means that the seller delivers when the goods pass the ship's rail in the port of shipment. The seller must pay the costs and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination BUT the risk of loss of or damage to the goods, as well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the time of delivery, are transferred from the seller to the buyer.

Return to Shipping Terms

CIF

Cost, Insurance and Freight (... named port of destination).

Cost, Insurance and Freight means that the seller delivers when the goods pass the ship's rail in the port of shipment. The seller must pay the costs and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination BUT the risk of loss of or damage to the goods, as well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the time of delivery, are transferred from the seller to the buyer.

CIF the seller also has to procure marine insurance against the buyer's risk of loss of or damage to the goods during the carriage.

Consequently, the seller contracts for insurance and pays the insurance premium. The buyer should note that under the CIF term the seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum cover (Refer to Introduction paragraph 9.3). Should the buyer wish to have the protection of greater cover, he would either need to agree as much expressly with the seller or to make his own extra insurance arrangements.

Return to Shipping Terms

CIP

Carriage and Insurance Paid Тo (... named place of destination)

Carriage and Insurance paid to... means that the seller delivers the goods to the carrier nominated by him but the seller must in addition pay the cost of carriage necessary to bring the goods to the named destination. This means that the buyer bears all risks and any additional costs occurring after the goods have been so delivered. However, in CIP the seller also has to procure insurance against the buyer's risk of loss of or damage to the goods during the carriage. Consequently, the seller contracts for insurance and pays the insurance premium. The buyer should note that under the CIP term the seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum cover (Refer to Introduction paragraph 9.3).

If the buyer should wish to have the protection of greater cover, he would either need to agree as much expressly with the seller or to make his own extra insurance arrangements.

Carrier means any person who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of transport, by rail, road, air, sea, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes.

If subsequent carriers are used for the carriage to the agreed destination, the risk passes when the goods have been delivered to the first carrier.

The CIP term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport including multi-modal transport.
Return to Shipping Terms

CPT

Carriage Paid To (... named place of destination).

Carriage paid to... means that the seller delivers the goods to the carrier nominated by him but the seller must in addition pay the cost of carriage necessary to bring the goods to the named destination. This means that the buyer bears all risks and any other costs occurring after the goods have been so delivered.

«Carrier» means any person who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of transport, by rail, road, air, sea, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes. If subsequent carriers are used for the carriage to the agreed destination, the risk passes when the goods have been delivered to the first carrier.

The CPT term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport including multimodal transport.
Return to Shipping Terms

DAF

Delivered At Frontier (... named place)

Delivered at Frontier means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer on the arriving means of transport not unloaded, cleared for export, but not cleared for import at the named point and place at the frontier, but before the customs border of the adjoining country. The term «frontier» may be used for any frontier including that of the country of export. Therefore, it is of vital importance that the frontier in question be defined precisely by always naming the point and place in the term.

However, if the parties wish the seller to be responsible for the unloading of the goods from the arriving means of transport and to bear the risks and costs of unloading, this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale (Refer to Introduction paragraph 11).

This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport when goods are to be delivered at a land frontier. When delivery is to take place in the port of destination, on board a vessel or on the quay (wharf), the DES or DEQ terms should be used.
Return to Shipping Terms

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid (... named place of destination)

Delivered duty paid» means that the seller delivers the goods to the buyer, cleared for import, and not unloaded from any arriving means of transport at the named place of destination. The seller has to bear all the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods thereto including, where applicable (Refer to Introduction paragraph 14), any «duty» (which term includes the responsibility for and the risk of the carrying out of customs formalities and the payment of formalities, customs duties, taxes and other charges) for import in the country of destination.

Whilst the EXW term represents the minimum obligation for the seller, DDP represents the maximum obligation. This term should not be used if the seller is unable directly or indirectly to obtain the import licence.

However, if the parties wish to exclude from the seller's obligations some of the costs payable upon import of the goods (such as value-added tax : VAT), this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale (Refer to Introduction paragraph 11).

If the parties wish the buyer to bear all risks and costs of the import, the DDU term should be used. This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport but when delivery is to take place in the port of destination on board the vessel or on the quay (wharf), the DES or DEQ terms should be used.
Return to Shipping Terms

DDU

Delivered Duty Unpaid (... named place of destination)

Delivered duty unpaid means that the seller delivers the goods to the buyer, not cleared for import, and not unloaded from any arriving means of transport at the named place of destination. The seller has to bear the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods thereto, other than, where applicable (Refer to Introduction paragraph 14), any «duty» (which term includes the responsibility for and the risks of the carrying out of customs formalities, and the payment of formalities, customs duties, taxes and other charges) for import in the country of destination. Such «duty» has to be borne by the buyer as well as any costs and risks caused by his failure to clear the goods for import in time.

However, if the parties wish the seller to carry out customs formalities and bear the costs and risks resulting therefrom as well as some of the costs payable upon import of the goods, this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale (Refer to Introduction paragraph 14).

This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport but when delivery is to take place in the port of destination on board the vessel or on the quay (wharf), the DES or DEQ terms should be used.
Return to Shipping Terms

DEQ

Delivered Ex Quay (... named port of destination)

Delivered Ex Quay means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer not cleared for import on the quay (wharf) at the named port of destination. The seller has to bear costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the named port of destination and discharging the goods on the quay (wharf).The DEQ term requires the buyer to clear the goods for import and to pay for all formalities, duties, taxes and other charges upon import.

THIS IS A REVERSAL FROM PREVIOUS INCOTERMS VERSIONS WHICH REQUIRED THE SELLER TO ARRANGE FOR IMPORT CLEARANCE.

If the parties wish to include in the seller's obligations all or part of the costs payable upon import of the goods, this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale (Refer to Introduction paragraph 11).

This term can be used only when the goods are to be delivered by sea or inland waterway or multimodal transport on discharging from a vessel onto the quay (wharf) in the port of destination. However if the parties wish to include in the seller's obligations the risks and costs of the handling of the goods from the quay to another place (warehouse, terminal, transport station, etc.) in or outside the port, the DDU or DDP terms should be used.
Return to Shipping Terms

DES

Delivered Ex Ship (... named port of destination)

Delivered Ex Ship means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer on board the ship not cleared for import at the named port of destination.The seller has to bear all the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the named port of destination before discharging. If the parties wish the seller to bear the costs and risks of discharging the goods, then the DEQ term should be used.

This term can be used only when the goods are to be delivered by sea or inland waterway or multimodal transport on a vessel in the port of destination.
Return to Shipping Terms

EXW

EX Works ( ... named place)

Ex works means that the seller delivers when he places the goods at the disposal of the buyer at the seller's premises or another named place (i.e. works, factory, warehouse, etc.) not cleared for export and not loaded on any collecting vehicle.

This term thus represents the minimum obligation for the seller, and the buyer has to bear all costs and risks involved in taking the goods from the seller's premises However, if the parties wish the seller to be responsible for the loading of the goods on departure and to bear the risks and all the costs of such loading, this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale (Refer to Introduction paragraph 11.) .This term should not be used when the buyer cannot carry out the export formalities directly or indirectly. In such circumstances, the FCA term should be used, provided the seller agrees that he will load at his cost and risk.
Return to Shipping Terms

FAS

Free Alongside Ship (... named port of shipment)

Free Alongside Ship means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed alongside the vessel at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that moment. The FAS term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. THIS IS A REVERSAL FROM PREVIOUS INCOTERMSVERSIONS WHICH REQUIRED THE BUYER TO ARRANGE FOR EXPORT CLEARANCE. However, if the parties wish the buyer to clear the goods for export, this should be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale.

This term can be used only for sea or inland waterway transport.
Return to Shipping Terms

FCA

 Free Carrier (...named place)

Free Carrier means that the seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to the carrier nominated by the buyer at the named place. It should be noted that the chosen place of delivery has an impact on the obligations of loading and unloading the goods at that place. If delivery occurs at the seller's premises, the seller is responsible for loading. If delivery occurs at any other place, the seller is not responsible for unloading.

This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport, including multimodal transport.

«Carrier» means any person who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of transport by rail, road, air, sea, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes.

If the buyer nominates a person other than a carrier to receive the goods, the seller is deemed to have fulfilled his obligation to deliver the goods when they are delivered to that person.
Return to Shipping Terms

FOB

FREE ON BOARD
(... named port of shipment)
Free on Board means that the seller delivers when the goods pass the ship's rail at the named
port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage
to the goods from that point. The FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.
This term can be used only for sea or inland waterway transport. If the parties do not intend to
deliver the goods across the ship’s rail, the FCA term should be used.
Return to Shipping Terms

Visit this site for more details:
http://www.searates.com/reference/incoterms/fca/

Back to the Tutorial
I use LongPack in Shanghai and the shipment terms are CIF so the insurance covered the product from the Shanghai Port in China to the Fremantle Port in Australia. As soon as it left the ship it was no longer covered by the CIF insurance Joseph had purchased.

Tariffs

I live in Australia and so I can only comment on my own experiences with Customs in this country.
Tariffs are tax levied on imports and exports and are like a penalty for having overseas manufacturers produce the product if it was possible to have it made in Australia.

There is a concession available on the Tariffs for the importing of board games in Australia.
This is because, at the time of writing this, there is not a board game manufacturer in Australia and therefore as a board game importer, I am not required to pay the tariffs.

There are board game companies in Australia that produce their own games, however, after contacting them I discovered they have their games manufactured in Taiwan and China.
If there is not a concession already in place for your product and you have conducted your own search and believe there is not a manufacturer in Australia, then you could apply for a concession which is usually more expensive than the tariff required to be paid.

Therefore you would only make an application to create a new concession if you were importing on a regular basis and would save in the long run.
Once this concession has been approved, it would remain available for others to use, without them having to pay the expensive application fees you had paid. This was the case in my shipment. I used an existing concession.

How much are Tariffs?
As an example, if the cost to have 1,000 games manufactured was $10,000, (to make the mathematics easy), the Tariffs on the shipment would be about 5%. So you would pay about $500 if you did not have a concession. So the concession would have saved you 50 cents per game.

Import Costs
It cost me just under $2,000 import fees to get the shipment into Australia and just over $500 to forward to Katanning. So as you can see $2.50 needed to be added to each game's wholesale price to cover these costs.

Freight Forwarding

The manufacturer has a document called the "Bill of Lading".
He/She fills this out when the product is ready to be shipped to you the customer (consignee).
The Bill of Lading has to include the "Notify Party" on the document.
The Notify Party can be your business if you have access to the warf (port, jetty).
Generally a "Freight Forwarding Company" is the Notify Party.
This is to indicate who is responsible for the shipment when it arrives.
My Freight Forwarder also organised road transport from the coast to my town 3 hours inland.

Manufacturer to Freight Forwarder to Courier to Consignee
LongPack to Universal Custom Brokers to Katanning Logistics to Go An Ah Play Games

I asked Joseph Zhou of LongPack (manufacturer) to put Universal Custom Brokers as the Notify Party on the Bill of Lading, but Joseph forgot and wrote on the Bill of Lading the Notify Party as "Same as Consignee" and the consignee is Go An Ah Play Games.
Therefore I got the "Arrival Notice" and paperwork and emailed them to the Freight Forwarder (UCB). So it still worked out ok.

Establishing the Wholesale Amount.
In Australia, our government charges GST. This stands for Goods and Services Tax.
If for example I were to have an Australian Company manufacture 1,000 games for $10,000, that company would be required to charge me 10% GST.
So the product would cost $11,000.00.

The product may now need to be shipped to me.
If the shipping cost was $500.00, I would be charged $50 GST by the freight company.
The product has now cost me $11,550.00.

So to cover my costs and allow myself to make a profit, I might decide to double the amount it has cost and charge a wholesale amount of $23.10 per game.
I am now required to charge the retailer GST, so the wholesale amount is now $25.41.

If the retailer decides to sell the product at $40.00 to cover costs and allow for a profit, the retailer is required to charge the customer $4.00 GST. The product is now $44.00.
The retailer may now ship the product to a customer and will pay GST on the Postage.

In the above example, the Australian government has received tax 5 times from the manufacturer to the customer. This is why Australian businesses have difficulty competing internationally.

Other countries can deliver the same product or service at a lower cost.
Australian board game designers unfortunately cannot avoid GST and need to consider this when establishing a wholesale price.

Our example above is not realistic.
Australian companies could not produce 1,000 board games for $10,000.
This is why board and card games are manufactured overseas.
America is similar to Australia. The cheapest quote I was able to find in the US was $30,000 USD.

To manufacture in China, India or a similar country, you will pay an amount like $7,000 USD for 1,000 games and pay no GST. If you order more than 1,000 you can save even more money.

Add to the $7,000 manufacture cost, $2,500 to get the games into the country and delivered to your town. Using China to manufacture, it will have cost $9.50 per game to manufacture and ship.

You can now charge $20.00 wholesale plus GST making the product $22.00.
Remember to add to this your expenses in designing the game and marketing it.
Software, Stationary, Telephone, Internet, Petrol (gas) etc.
So you may perhaps charge $25 wholesale.
Remember, the higher the wholesale amount, the less willing retailers will be to take on your game.

If the Australian government removed the crippling GST, Australian manufacturers would be able to compete with overseas companies. Until then we will continue to see "Made in China" on games displayed on our shelves. Perhaps the US is also expensive for similar reasons.

How Big is 1,000 Games
The Toxin Drop shipment contained 72 cardboard boxes on three pellets.
Each box contained 14 board games.
Total weight: 1,200 kgs (2,640 lbs).
Total Volume: 4,500 m3 (Cubic Metres) 158,915 ft3 (cubic feet).

It was great being an Aussie dealing with China because we both use the metric system of measurement. I only included the imperial measurements above for the US readers.

For those not be able to imagine the size of 1,000 games, I have included some photos.

As you can see two pellets were stacked 4 rows high and the third was only 1 row high.

 

Like any new process, the thought of importing for the first time was a bit scary.
But LongPack, Universal Customs Brokers and Katanning Logistics do this everyday.
So use the experts and all should work out ok.

When you have a product to market, you can move onto Step 4 of the tutorial.

Return to Chapter Selection
Ascension 2012 The Shift

Go An Ah Play Games markets and sells products, including children's products, for purchase by adults 18 years and over. If any product you are ordering is intended for a child please assume the following warning may apply to that product:    WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD-Small parts. Not suitable for children under 3 years.

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