importing from china

[andi]

hey looking for some constructive advice, am setting up an import company supplying the medical/dental professional with technical equipment, disposables and other bits and pieces. I have been out to china and found some initial suppliers--what are my legal obligations for bring this into the uk --is the ce mark enough of a quality guarantee? and do i have to do any rebranding at all or just sell straight on? A few of the products have chinese instructions and very pigeon english-should i be printing up proper instructions/translations in english ?

cheers dr andi

[MH1]

You need to ensure any certifications are true for a start, it has been known for chinese exporters to simply print ce on their products for the clients peace of mind.

[Mister B]

hey looking for some constructive advice, am setting up an import company supplying the medical/dental professional with technical equipment, disposables and other bits and pieces. I have been out to china and found some initial suppliers--what are my legal obligations for bring this into the uk --is the ce mark enough of a quality guarantee? and do i have to do any rebranding at all or just sell straight on? A few of the products have chinese instructions and very pigeon english-should i be printing up proper instructions/translations in english ?

cheers dr andi

Are you serious?

For medical equipment, I would at least have it inspected in a European lab to make sure that it passes all tests required, I would have an onsight inspection team from Asia overseeing the productions, and as for instructions, of course I'd get them rewritten in English.

Sorry to be harsh, but it's not as if they're being flogged cheap on ebay. You're going to be dealing with professional people who will be expecting a professional service. If you're not prepared to do it properly, you may as well save your money and not do it at all.

Mister B

[red-source]

It cannot be stressed enough the importance of quality control when importing goods into the UK. The UK has, in the past, benefitted from a wealth of engineering knowledge and skills which were pretty much unrivaled. Its safe to assume that the medical industry would certainly be one sector that requires the upmost quality. Simply importing from China, Even from a factory that you have visited does not mean that the quality will be right afterwards. You will need a QC inspection team based in or near the factory.
As said above, the CE, BSI, Kite Marks etc etc all need to be tested and quantified. Instructions written in clear English and perhaps other languages ?

The best advice is to be careful. After dealing & importing from the far east for over 10 years I know all of the pitfalls related to it. Never take anything for granted.

The last thing you want to be faced with is a medical mistake due to faulty goods !

[andi]

thanks- but really talking consumables, single use items, etc that i could see there being a good market for- i work in an nhs practice and know what we spend on such things -which i presume applies to all practices-definitely not talking defibrillators! but i know from getting promotional literature sent to me that its pretty commonplace anyway .

andi

[red-source]

Oh in that case andi things are a lot easier. As for the instructions I would prepare them yourself, atleast go through thier version and re-write them in better english. Send them the file simply for printing.

the rest is the same though, be careful of quality. Make sure you have frequent and regular qc procedures updated etc and if possible a factory based qc team! No use supplying the rubber gloves only to find out they are actually made from melted down ice cream cartons :)

[andi]

not talking health risk equipment here-just stuff i know about and use everyday in dental practice--consumables, single use items, small pieces of equipment for mixing etc--- we get ripped off here and i do see the potential and have the knowledge as to what will sell. however what i dont have is your obvious experience and knowledge -any suggestions welcome
cheers andi

[taltul]

Hi,

All over the world SOEs , hospitals and health centres purchase their products in China, there is nothing wrong in that. However, the 2 imperative things to keep in mind are - 1. Standards and Certifictes 2. Quality Control.

If the supplier you have found already complies with the British standards that's fine. Now you need to sort out the QC.

Cheers

[red-source]

andi, it can be daunting at first. If you feel a little bogged down by things drop me a PM and I could pass you details of one of my agents based in the Shantou area of China, approx 5 hours drive of Hong Kong.