How to Import From China:A-Z Guide|Importing from China

Learn how to import from China?here is A-Z step by step guide to importing from China,it’s very useful for new buyer and importers

I hope you like tips of how to import from China wholesale to USA/Canada/Australia/Europe/Germany/Malaysia/India/Egypt/Saudi Arabia/Bangladesh or Poland/France/Italy,This ultimate step by step guide will go a long way in turning a newbie into a professional importer if the points are strictly adhered to and implemented when importing from China,if you find this article useful? Kindly share it with your friends.

you know that China is the best country that which is supplying goods at low price and this is why so many importers,purchasing companies and Ebay/Amazon sellers buy products from China.

For example:various Consumer products,Clothing Shoes;Hats;gifts;Pet;Toys,Electronic products;furniture,home furnishings,Intelligent living;Safety lighting;Auto parts;Machinery and equipment,Hardware accessories,Building materials,Chemical industry Etc,these Products made in China are popular worldwide!

However,it is not an easy task, especially for the newbies. The importing process can be extremely complex, confusing, and costly. Expected gains can often be erased by long transit times, rising or fluctuating delivery costs, regulatory fees, and unexpected delays.

if you want to Importing from China,we highly suggest you reading this how to import from China A-Z Guide,Let’s learning the first time of how to import from China, and what you can do to make the process more smoothly and efficiently.

How to trend your niche products?

Through the Google search engine
Google as the largest search platform, has a strong user behavior analysis. In fact, it is very useful to make full use of Google to tap niche market.
For example, we use the keyword “Weight loss for women,” and you can work with me:

Open Google (be sure to switch to Google.com), enter keywords in the Google input box, and the same Google Search suggestions below will also give you keyword ideas.

As shown below:

Import from China sell on amazon is very popular by using the Amazon Best Seller Categories Tree is another useful method that can be used to determine what products to sell.

When Importing from China,The Google Trends will help you to validate your product of the trend (whether upwards or declining),and Where Is Your Product Most Popular?

For example, the three hot niche products:Laybag,Hand Spinner AND Fingerlings Monkey toys

Source Your Products From Alibaba

When Importing from China,Alibaba is the largest B2B (Business to Business) platform/Chinese import website in the world. It connects suppliers and supplier directories with buyers from all over the world. Alibaba has millions of products from China and hundreds of thousands of suppliers.

Find supplier in China and place an order.

Place your order with the vendor, shipper or exporter and identify shipping terms that will be used.

when Importing from China,Once you have selected your supplier, request a P/I (Proforma Invoice) for your prospective purchases to include the harmonized system number, description & value per item. Your P/I must show the weight & the packed dimensions as well as your term of purchase.

What is a proforma invoice? It is a non binding document helping budgeting your future purchases. It is not a purchase order nor does it creates a legal obligation.

We suggest NOT:

1. Always looking for the lowest price.

If you come across a quote that is significantly cheaper than the others, raise a red flag. You should know that there is no lowest price in China, only the lower and lower prices. Lowest price always accompanies with high risk, maybe quality, quantity or reputation.

Just find a reliable supplier and grow with them in a healthy way.

2. Failure to clarify product details.

If you aren’t extremely clear to your supplier about your required specifications, there is a big chance you would receive exactly what you didn’t want. Not clear means the factory will make the decision for you based on cost saving.

Ensure you double check the materials and the manufacturing process of each quote so you can feel confident in the products you are purchasing.

Make sure your supplier has totally confirmed every spec of your target product, including the packaging. Sometimes, it’s necessary to send the sample for recheck.

3. Showing distrust towards your supplier.

International trade is based on mutual trust. If you don’t trust your supplier, nobody will look after your production in the factory, and nobody will sincerely help you when trouble happens.

Price Terms when importing from China

1. EXW (Ex Works)

EXW or Ex Works refers to the international trade agreement whereby the supplier is expected to make goods ready for pickup at his/her business place. The buyer will be responsible for all costs and liabilities of the shipment once it leave the sellers business address.

When using these shipping terms, the cost and risks of shipping goods lie with the buyer alone. This implies that Ex Works enables the buyer to have a clearer picture of the costs involved ahead of time. The buyer will also be in control of the whole shipment thereby preventing the seller from increasing their local costs.

2. FOB (Free on Board)

FOB or Free on Board is an agreement that demonstrates whether the buyer or the seller has liability for goods that are damaged in transit. “FOB shipping point” implies that the buyer will bear the risk if the goods are shipped while “FOB destination” implies that the seller will bear the risk of any loss until the buyer gets the goods.The term FOB is employed in non-containerized sea freight or inland waterway transport. It does not refer to the transfer ownership of goods.

3. C&F (Cost and Freight)

C&F or Cost and Freight refers to a legal recourse term that is employed in international trade whereby the seller does not need to procure marine insurance against the risk of loss or damage to the goods being purchased while shipping goods. Under this term, the seller is expected to cater for the carriage of goods by sea to a port of destination and give the buyer the necessary documents.

4. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)

CIF or Cost, Insurance and Freight is a trade term that requires the supplier to arrange for the transportation of the goods by sea to a port of destination and also provide the buyer with the necessary documents. EU countries use the CIF value for calculating the duty that must be paid on an import.

Payment Terms for Bulk Order

1.Telegraphic Transfer

It’s For Big Order,T/T 30% IN ADVANCE, THE BALANCE 70% BEFORE SHIPPING,90% of China Suppliers often use this payment terms.It is a form of bank transfer which is a fast way of transferring money overseas through banks. It is, however,some risky for buyers to pay through this method because the money goes into the supplier’s shipping account directly before you receive the order.

2.Letter of Credit

It’s For Big Order,It is a letter from a bank that guarantees that a buyer’s payment to a supplier will be received on time and for the right amount. The bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount if the buyer is unable to pay. This method of payment has become an important aspect of international trade or trade with China is due to distance, government policies and the difficulty in knowing each party personally.

3.Documents against Payments

It’s For Big Order,This is an arrangement whereby a supplier instructs the bank to release shipping and title documents to the buyer after the buyer fully pays the accompanying bill of exchange.
however, risky for Suppliers more,99% of China Suppliers will can’t accept this payment terms.

4.Western Union, PayPal/MoneyGram etc

this payment is often used to pay for Small Order or Sample,Amount < USD$3000

Shipping Methods

Shipping costs will make up a substantial percentage of your total product cost, so it’s important to keep them as low as possible at all times. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger your order, the lower ‘per item’ shipping costs you’ll face. There’s no point in importing one pair of unbranded shoes from China as the shipping costs will be far more than the cost of the product itself. Volume is the key to success when building your eBay business around an “Importing from China” product sourcing concept. But that doesn’t mean you have to start off with full container loads either!

Here are the 4 most popular shipping methods you can use to import from China:

1) Regular Post. This means normal, regular China Post which can take up to 6 weeks to arrive. No online tracking is provided. It can be used for parcels under 2kg. Usually, you will only use regular post for samples and again ONLY if time is not that important and you can afford to wait a few weeks for a package to arrive. China Post is not the most reliable system so be prepared for lost/stolen packages.

If at all possible, I try to avoid using China Mail for any shipments as the delivery time is simply too long.

If your supplier is located in Hong Kong, you can use HK Airmail which is way more reliable, comes with a tracking number and usually arrives within 5-10 days.

2) Courier. Shipping with a courier company will be the most suitable method for most people starting out IF it involves small, lightweight items. With courier companies such as TNT, DHL, UPS or FedEx you pay a premium price for each kilo BUT you get fast delivery times and an online tracking facility. These days most courier shipments take just 3-5 business days to arrive in any Western country from anywhere around the globe. I personally use TNT and DHL most of the time as their prices have worked out lowest for me. For a 50kg package, expect to pay around £4 or £5 per kilo.

3) Air Freight. This is somewhere between courier shipping and sea freight. Shipping times vary from company to company, but in general range between 5 to 10 days which is not bad at all! With Air Freight costs will be significantly lower than with courier companies, but extra work is involved when the goods arrive in your destination country. With Air Freight you’ll usually have to handle documentation and customs clearance on your own (unlike with courier companies), which for many newbies may seem impractical. Of course, you can always outsource these tasks to a freight forwarding company at an additional cost.

With Air Freight, expect to pay £2-£3 per kilo for a 100kg shipment.

Air Freight is usually cost effective once shipments are in the range of 100kg or more UNLESS very bulky items are involved; if that’s the case your only viable option is to use Sea Freight.

4) Sea Freight. This is the most popular shipping method used by big companies to import goods from China. The cost per kilo (£100-£150 per pallet, even less if you can order full or half-container loads) is very low but the downside is the lengthy delivery time. Depending on where you’re located it will be in the vicinity of 30 to 40 days in most cases.

Just like with Air Freight, you’ll have to take care of the documentation, customs clearance and delivery of goods from the port to your home or office. It’s not that complicated to be honest – I do this on my own on a regular basis, but I understand that for newbies it could seem too complicated and that’s why I recommend using a freight forwarding company that will take care of all the procedures and deliver goods right to your door.

Also, with Sea Freight it’s very important to calculate all the EXTRA COSTS involved once the goods arrive in your country. Your supplier will usually give you the FOB price, which means that the goods are loaded onto the ship. But that’s not the end of the story! Once your shipment arrives at the port there are all kinds of extra charges, such as:

• Unloading charge;
• Port fees;
• Docking fees;
• Storage fees;
• Clearance fees;
• Etc.

And I’m not talking small figures here! These fees can run into hundreds of pounds! That’s why it’s crucial to take these numbers into account BEFORE you order any goods so that you know precisely what your final product cost will be.

Again, the easiest way to keep these costs under control is by using a freight forwarding company. You can ask them to quote for door-to-door delivery which includes all the fees associated with Sea Freight shipping.

Even with all the additional fees Sea Freight is still the cheapest shipping method for imports from China. Remember that it’s cost effective ONLY if your order is big enough. Usually, a half pallet or one full pallet will be enough if your margins are right. Again, this will depend on the kind of goods you’re importing, their value and weight. Sometimes Air Freight offers the same savings as Sea Freight with the added bonus of much speedier delivery.

In general, Sea Freight is better for bulky items or in cases where the shipping time is not that important. Personally I try to stick to couriers and Air Freight as often as possible as I just can’t stand the long wait involved when using Sea Freight. (but then again I deal mostly with small, light weight items).

Track your cargo and get prepared for arrival.

Shipping goods internationally takes time. For example, goods shipped from China, on average, take around 14 days to reach the West Coast of United States or 30 days to reach the East Coast.

During the time, check your commercial invoice, packing list, the bill of lading, and other related freight documents. If problems arise that you need to troubleshoot, you should know the steps your goods go through when being cleared by Customs of your country.

Obtain your shipment.

When the goods arrive, make arrangements for your customs broker to clear them through customs (and quarantine if applicable). If everything goes well, it’s your rights to pick up your shipment.

Conclusion

Don’t be afraid of the importing process, but start small.

1,for small order Importing from China:It’s not as complicated as it looks, especially if you use courier as a shipping method. With couriers you don’t have to worry about long shipping delays or customs clearance as they will take care of all the documentation for you.

2,for big order Importing from China:The best advice I can give is don’t be scared to try it.Start slowly,learn the ropes Importing from China.

But If you are a new buyer, you are averse to risk;it’s better hire Chinese sourcing agent, you only need to pay some service charge,they can help you deal with everything,if you hire a good China Sourcing agent,you will more easy to import Chinese GOODS with low cheap prices.

You can focus on business,and we handle everything until you get products.Working with us,you will Save More Time and Money.

we share the A-Z Guide of how to importing form China,This is a perfect manual for small and large businesses around the globe,Do you think this article useful? please share it with your friends.