Foreign Goods Safe? Risky?
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The coronavirus has caused a lot of uncertainty this year across the globe. What is safe? Who is safe? What can we do? What can’t we do? So many questions. So little answers. Because of the uncertainty, consumers are questioning their every move including where they choose to buy from and which goods they choose to buy. CNBC reported that in April the market research firm, Kantar, surveyed 45,000 people across 17 counties. In the study, they found that a third of global consumers are now worried that products imported from outside countries is a safety risk. Countries perceived China and the U.S. as high risk with 47% of them saying that they were far less in favor of buying American and Chinese products. An executive from Kanter also said that people were beginning to favor locally-produced goods even though the price point was higher.
The question is, is there really a risk in foreign goods? According to the CDC and the British government, the risk is low. The CDC says that the virus can survive for a short period of time on some surfaces but is mostly spread via respiratory droplets. It is unlikely that consumers contract the virus from international mail, products, or packaging. Similarly, the British government says that the risk of contraction from imported food and packaging from affected countries is low. They justify their position by arguing that their laws require all exporters to follow the proper controls during the packing and shipping process to ensure good hygiene is met. So, if you are concerned about the safety of foreign goods the CDC and the British government claim that you are safe. The best way to avoid the virus is to wear a mask, limit your time around others, and stay 6 feet away from everybody. For more information on the import and export business, stay updated here on our monthly blog.
