First time trying to import from China

[dawncbn]

Hi, I am trying to import a one off consignment from China. I have bought a hair and beauty business and I want to put all new equipment in. The prices in the UK are crazy so I want to import my own stuff as an end user, to Liverpool Docks. I have found a company on Albiba, the order comes to about $4,500usd. So as you can see its not a huge amount. I am concerned as I have read, to be aware of Albiba? why? Is having an agent and paying duty plus all the hassle of not "trusting" a company, going to be worth it in the end? I am not normaly like this and just steam on ahead when I have an idea.

 

[dataferret]

The problem with Ali-Baba is it makes it easy for anyone to claim they are a wholesaler when they are not. This means you could find yourself in the situation where you lose all of your money.

For such a modest order I strongly recommend you find UK / US suppliers and not risk your money. I have found it is best to fly over to China / Far East and verify the company actually exists when placing large orders but in your case it simply is not cost effective.

There are plenty of good wholesalers in the Cheetham Hill area of manchester who may be able to help you without risking your money

 

[dawncbn]

Hi Dataferret, thank you for your reply. The trouble with using suppliers in the UK is their huge mark up. The same equipment or close will cost me about £8,500 from a wholesaler in the UK and that is without VAT. So I am just trying to save myself some money and have some more money left to inject into the business. I only have to look on ebay and I have recognised lots of the same lines with stilll high mark ups. Importing will save me at least £4,000, when you are a small business that is quite a saving.

 

[Jeewhizz]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are

 

[Page]

It is a great saving but do not also forget that it is not really that large even though it may superficially appear to be.

Buying through a wholesaler here has other benefits.

What when it breaks down - is damaged in transit - etc.

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hi Dawn,

If it is only the shipping side of things, I can help put you through to a contact of mine who helps me deal with this. My design and marketing services very often acquire us to source products from China for clients to support the marketing campaign.

You need to trust your source so I cannot advise you on the buying side of things.

What my source can do is to help check your product prior to it leaving China, ship your product from China to UK port and from the port to your required destination.

Just drop me a line and I will help point you in the right direction.

Kay
Calibre Designs
e. [email protected]

 

[Mister B]

Hi Dawn

The importation into the UK is relatively straightforward, as you suggest, your problem lies in the lack of trust with your supplier.

Fortunately, I know all of my Asian partners from the past, so have never found myself to be in your situation. However, if I were to be looking at spending that kind of money with a stranger off Alibaba, I would be very cautious. In this situation, I would, without doubt, appoint a QC agent who is based in the country of origin. For a relatively small amount, (under $US500 I guess,) your agent will go into the factory and ensure that the goods are as described. These agents act like Rottweilers on your behalf to ensure that the goods are OK. As part of the sales contract, you can stipulate that you will only pay the invoice upon receipt of a satisfactory QC report. Send me a PM if you want any more information or the name of a good contact.

Mister B

 

[michael g]

We are dealing with this kind of issues, so why not try our service, just go to: goldenpartners .com, we surely can find out more about the supplier in low cost.
$4500 worth of goods doesn't sound like a lot, is is cif or fob price?
you might also need consider all the inland freight cost which is usually quite high.

hope this helps
Cheers
Michael

 

[ZIYA]

BAD SUPPLIER FROM CHINA

Please help/advice

We are a small business and in order to extend our product line we imported two beds from China to test the market.
First the supplier sent the shipment at the wrong port and worst the product with the wrong specification. It cost us lot off money as we have to pay the duty ,taxes , handling charges and the transport.
Now we have the products we do not need , the supplier is very uncoprative and refuses to replay and accept any resposabilities. We would like the supplier either to refund the cost or to replace the items

Is there any organistion who can help us or put some pressure on the supplier.

Any help/advice

Thanks
Ziya

 

[michael g]

How much is the value of the goods?Contact me and we might be able to help. you can find the contact detail on our website

Thanks
Michael

BAD SUPPLIER FROM CHINA

Please help/advice

We are a small business and in order to extend our product line we imported two beds from China to test the market.
First the supplier sent the shipment at the wrong port and worst the product with the wrong specification. It cost us lot off money as we have to pay the duty ,taxes , handling charges and the transport.
Now we have the products we do not need , the supplier is very uncoprative and refuses to replay and accept any resposabilities. We would like the supplier either to refund the cost or to replace the items

Is there any organistion who can help us or put some pressure on the supplier.

Any help/advice

Thanks
Ziya

 

[MH1]

I would recommend you try sourcing through globalsources.com, have used a few companies from it with no problems, alibaba is riddled with scammers particularly in the usual highly desired markets like ipods and phones.

Globalsources visit and verify the companies, not a 100% guarantee but it is a start. You can do other simple checks yourself such as tetsing emails, phones, fax numbers etc, and you are also able to ask for UK testimonials from previous clients.

All depends on the items but all part of the reward risk scenario of importing, one reason UK wholesalers need to make a mark up to cover for losses in transit, quality issues etc.

 

[hippyer]

I found alibaba a while ago and have been in contact with the staff member for around a couple of months ordering poker tables and chips.

I have made a 30% initial deposit into their account and now they claim they have sent the goods and they have now sent me a copy Bill of Lading.

I do trust I have found a good supplier still, but I stumbled across this post and am now feeling a little cautious.

Does this Bill of Lading prove the goods have set sail?
How can I confirm?

I rang a number on the BL and I was told I need a SUDU number from HMRC and she listed a number of clearance charges they would be passing on to me.

The total amount of my order is £400.

The ship set sail on 25th July.

What are my next steps to ensure I collect the goods at the cheapest possible cost?

I intend to collect the goods myself to cut costs as the goods are 350kg.

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[murdoch]

hi Dawn,
ive just sent you a PM, seeing as Im based in Hong Kong for part of the year and do some sourcing already...

 

[pinky1989]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are [/QU



hi there, ive brought some stuff from china to the uk i wanted to know how much the import charges were

 

[deus]

Random internet seaches for China suppliers could land you anywhere. I recommend taking the time and travel and meet sources faces to face OR consult a western China manufacturing/sourcing company.

Example: Legacy Manufacturing Solutions, LLC

Hope that helps.

 

[lisab]

Hi,

Just letting you know I tried to source my own product for my business and really struggled.

I found Silk Road Trade Consultants they were fantastic at helping me source my product. I could track my shipping and they helped me with my quality control.

Their website is under Silk Road Trade Consultants. I highly recommend you check it out, very professional and great people to work with.

Hope this helps.

Lisa

 

[yuansuhua]

Hello, buy from china.
we know there are many problems now when you buy from china, such as quality,reliable suppliers ect,
but if you do due research and work, you will be safe.

 

[preetisdd]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are

hi,

I am interested in the contact.

Basically me and my husband are looking to start some online business - import from china and sell in UK

regards

 

[preetisdd]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are

hi,

I am interested in the contact if possible.

Basically me and my husband are looking to start some online business - import from china and sell in UK so fingers crossed it may be helpful.

regards

 

[Silky]

Hi Dawn

The importation into the UK is relatively straightforward, as you suggest, your problem lies in the lack of trust with your supplier.

Fortunately, I know all of my Asian partners from the past, so have never found myself to be in your situation. However, if I were to be looking at spending that kind of money with a stranger off Alibaba, I would be very cautious. In this situation, I would, without doubt, appoint a QC agent who is based in the country of origin. For a relatively small amount, (under $US500 I guess,) your agent will go into the factory and ensure that the goods are as described. These agents act like Rottweilers on your behalf to ensure that the goods are OK. As part of the sales contract, you can stipulate that you will only pay the invoice upon receipt of a satisfactory QC report. Send me a PM if you want any more information or the name of a good contact.

Mister B

I totally agree, especially if you're purchasing electrical equipment - I've come across many consumer products manufactured in Chinese factories that comes nowhere near European standards and could be dangerous - is it really worth taking the risk?

Alibaba and Global Sources are nothing more than exporter directories, you know nothing of the background of the suppliers. It's easy to be tempted by the cheap prices, but unless ( as Mister B points out) you have technical or inspection staff on the ground, you may well not receive a product that resembles the item you ordered and paid for. Independent inspection will add to the cost, but may save you from wasting your money on an unsuitable, or in the worst case, unsafe consignment.

Find a decent trading agent if possible or a reputable (experienced) contact should you wish to protect your cash.

Silky

 

[gzf1215]

The problem with Ali-Baba is it makes it easy for anyone to claim they are a wholesaler when they are not. This means you could find yourself in the situation where you lose all of your money.

For such a modest order I strongly recommend you find UK / US suppliers and not risk your money. I have found it is best to fly over to China / Far East and verify the company actually exists when placing large orders but in your case it simply is not cost effective.

There are plenty of good wholesalers in the Cheetham Hill area of manchester who may be able to help you without risking your money

Agree and disagree. I am a Chinese. It doesn't have to be that you lose all of your money by going through an agent. It's ture everyone on alibaba tends to claim that they are a manufacture or wholesaler while they can be individuals owning an alibaba account. But this doesn't mean you lose all of your money. As long as you can find a trustworthy person, it still works ok. But when placing big orders, better to pay a visit to the factories or wholesalers here. Usually, factories in china are becoming more attactive and competitive to importers now compared to the traders here as long as the factories can provide quality goods and its consistency. But sadly, sometimes factory don't. That's why some of traders still want to go through some traders that can help them check the quality before the goods are shipped out.

 

[gzf1215]

Hi, I am trying to import a one off consignment from China. I have bought a hair and beauty business and I want to put all new equipment in. The prices in the UK are crazy so I want to import my own stuff as an end user, to Liverpool Docks. I have found a company on Albiba, the order comes to about $4,500usd. So as you can see its not a huge amount. I am concerned as I have read, to be aware of Albiba? why? Is having an agent and paying duty plus all the hassle of not "trusting" a company, going to be worth it in the end? I am not normaly like this and just steam on ahead when I have an idea.

As a Chinese I am, my advice is you really need try to find out if the company you are dealing with can provide your quality goods and it's consistency of quality. I don' t think they are lots of frauds in China, but products in China sometimes have a bad reputation for it's low quality. But it's not ture if you find the right ones. I guess you must have received samples from the exporter here before placing your order.Sample sometimes doesn't mean the products later can be as nice as the samples you have got. I suggest you can start with a small order which wouldn't really hurt you even not everthing goes well. As long as you can find the right suppliers in China, I am quite sure you can benifit from it quite a lot both as an end user and distributor. Good luck!

 

[sarah deng]

hello, this is sarah from china. are you interesting other kinds of products export from china? our company supplies Cell phones, Cell phone accessories, MP3/MP4/MP5 players, digital cameras, and memory cards/drivers with high quality and competitive price. you can PM me freely if you would like
thanks fristly

 

[richiford]

Its not fun doing overseas importing, i have plenty expo in tht area

 

[kellimpex]

Regards,
James McKelly
FS Logistics Ltd.

 

[Jasmine Wei]

It is hard to find a reliable supplier over Internet or alibaba.
I am a sourcing agent in Shenzhen. I would like to take care of
all your needs when it comes to import from China. To find out
more about my sevice,please google shenzhenbusinessguide

Thanks,
Jasmine Wei

 

[tee]

As an estimate, how much customs would you have to pay on £10k worth of sanitary bathroom ware eg baths, sinks etc and also about £5k worth of electronics

 

[jdpackaging]

Usually as a manufacturer in China, we find suppliers in Alibaba too, of course there are many supplier in alibaba waiting you to choose, you can select some supplier to quote, from their replying, you can judge who is manufacturer and who is trader.

 

[JoeHe]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are [/QU



hi there, ive brought some stuff from china to the uk i wanted to know how much the import charges were

The cost of shipping charge will depend on the method you choose from China, by air, by sea or just by courier ? It will be caculate according to weight/cbm, so you'd better list the measure,shipment method etc.

 

[JoeHe]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are [/QU



hi there, ive brought some stuff from china to the uk i wanted to know how much the import charges were

The cost of shipping charge will depend on the method you choose from China, by air, by sea or just by courier ? It will be caculate according to weight/cbm, so you'd better list the measure,shipment method etc.

Joe

 

[JoeHe]

I have a friend (british) who lives in China, and deals with importing/exporting. I can pass you his details if you are interested? Send me a PM if you are [/QU



hi there, ive brought some stuff from china to the uk i wanted to know how much the import charges were

The cost of shipping charge will depend on the method you choose from China, by air, by sea or just by courier ? It will be caculate according to weight/cbm, so you'd better list the measure,shipment method etc.

Joe from China
sarineyin at hotmail.com sourcing at bagcn.com

 

[JoeHe]

hi,

I am interested in the contact.

Basically me and my husband are looking to start some online business - import from china and sell in UK

regards

Dear, I'm in China, and have over two years experience in international trade and know China markets very much, you can also turn to me if you need.

Joe from China
sarineyin at hotmail.com sourcing at bagcn.info

 

[Paul Stuyver]

If people wish to have assistance on doing business with China, just make sure you are dealing with a company, not individuals. Its easy to get lost in the exitement of it all and forget accountability in the process.

Sure, someone operating from mom's attic can find some products but they dont represent a company and are therefore accountable to noone. People have been known to disappear, leaving customers wondering "what just happened?" and the money is gone, no products received and noone to hold the bag but you.

So there are plenty of people here who have companies who are professional and do charge, but for the long run it is important to build solid chanels and trust based on contracts, agreements and clear terms of how to cooperate together. Choose any of them but me, because i dont want to spam.

People have cheap cheap cheap on their minds when it comes to buying from China, but always remember that you get what you pay for and the price of the product should be only one of your concerns as a buyer.

Regards,

Paul Stuyver

 

[Eastgate Global]

Good answer. However, even when you find a QC agent, you should still be wary. I have been exporting goods from China for many years. Even when i used a Chinese QC agent i had problems. Some of the areas to look at are the competance of the agents English language. Many agents will say "yes, i understand you" but in reality, they haven't understood the whole concept of your inquiry and or the product you wish to purchase. Then there are the unscrupulous agents who when arriving at the factories for inspection, turn a blind eye to problems, either because they dont want to re-visit the factory when changes need to be made, or they have been paid to pass an order by the factory. Price is king, but also you must study the competitive prices from various factories and their quality. Its not uncommon for agents to load up a price and send you something that looks similar. A visit to China is a must, ok, for a small order of 4,500GBP would not warrant such a long flight and the expense, but if you ever think about buying from China regularly, this is a prority. Make sure the factory does exist, that your not dealing with a Chinese trading company, and also check their stock and find out if they actually do have orders shipped abroad. There arre many pit falls when buying from China, the best thing to do is limit the damage that can be caused. Alot of doom and gloom here, but there are great opportunities that can put you ahead. I moved to China over 8 years ago and learned the hard way. It took me a good few years to build up a good supply base. Many times when arriving at factories i was met by someone who i had contacted on Alibaba, only to find out they were actually working for a trading company and making a comission from the factory. At first this was hard to detect, but once i could read some basic Chinese writing, i found that the company i contacted and the name above the factory gates were totally different. I now get my Chinese staff to do a search and find out what that company trully is. Find yourself a good western QC agent. This will increase your chances of being successful on your first attempt, doing business in China.

Hi Dawn

The importation into the UK is relatively straightforward, as you suggest, your problem lies in the lack of trust with your supplier.

Fortunately, I know all of my Asian partners from the past, so have never found myself to be in your situation. However, if I were to be looking at spending that kind of money with a stranger off Alibaba, I would be very cautious. In this situation, I would, without doubt, appoint a QC agent who is based in the country of origin. For a relatively small amount, (under $US500 I guess,) your agent will go into the factory and ensure that the goods are as described. These agents act like Rottweilers on your behalf to ensure that the goods are OK. As part of the sales contract, you can stipulate that you will only pay the invoice upon receipt of a satisfactory QC report. Send me a PM if you want any more information or the name of a good contact.

Mister B

 

[Eastgate Global]

Usually as a manufacturer in China, we find suppliers in Alibaba too, of course there are many supplier in alibaba waiting you to choose, you can select some supplier to quote, from their replying, you can judge who is manufacturer and who is trader.

Hi Dave, yes you are correct. But for the untrained eye it is quite hard. Its just like going to the Canton Fair for the first time. Awesome, but many of these companies showing their goods are trading companies masquerading as manufacturers.
I also manufacture my own branded products in China, but would never pull the wool over a prospective clients eyes and tell them, its my factory. I have a JV with one factory, but mostly i employ the services of well established factories. I never go for the cheapest option, but find the right price for the right product. Go too cheap and you leave yourself wide open to recieving inferior products.

 

[Mister B]

Go too cheap and you leave yourself wide open to recieving inferior products.

Absolutely. Too many people are driven by greed and end up with sub standard goods.

Mister B

 

[Eastgate Global]

Hi Eastgate Global, I did not agree with your opinion . For the QC inspection , you could not conduct every inspection by yourself. I believe you will hire some chinese locally to help you to conduct inspection. I do not believe the western inspection companies will be better than Chinese inspection companies . I do believe the management will play a critical roll for the quality of service . I also do believe that understanding of industrial standard ,client's specification , the safety ,function and apperance requirement for product will play critical roll of the service .I still also do believe what solution you should provide for client will play critical roll of the inspection service . If like you to distinguish the better service and worse service , the world would to be simple.Thanks !

Dave, im not saying all Chinese QC agents are bad. But believe me, ive been here a long time, i have my own offices and never employ qc agents. My staff have been trained to my standards. I pay them well and urge them to be resiliant towards under the table payments. If a QC is performed incorrectly and a customer complains, the sole resposability lies with the individual who carried it out. On this matter there are no second chances as i myself have to recompense the client. I also have western staff that oversee most of the products i make. Its not just a matter of Chinese v Western, its just a service i supply, when i arrived here there was a niche in the market for companies like mine. My main role in the company is that of Quality Control Director. I do as many QC's as possible myself, especially the first qc for a new product. ost of my time is taken by this, but fortunately, i have most of the factories i use around me in Guangdong.
I also brought with me, my own aquaintences/friends, buyers who ive known for many years. Most of my work is by referral which started from these peopple. But the feedback i get is very positive. Some clients feel more comfortable with help from Westerners.
On the other hand, i know many foreign businessmen that come to Guangzhou. We meet socially downtown and most conversations start with what are you buying here. Many of these people have been buying here for years, have always used Chinese agents, and would not change. So its not all black and white, i just believe i give a good service, while you yourself believe the same.
The market is vast, and our services will always be needed.
Sorry if you took offence to my earlier blog.

 

[JoeHe]

Hi Eastgate Global, I did not agree with your opinion . For the QC inspection , you could not conduct every inspection by yourself. I believe you will hire some chinese locally to help you to conduct inspection. I do not believe the western inspection companies will be better than Chinese inspection companies . I do believe the management will play a critical roll for the quality of service . I also do believe that understanding of industrial standard ,client's specification , the safety ,function and apperance requirement for product will play critical roll of the service .I still also do believe what solution you should provide for client will play critical roll of the inspection service . If like you to distinguish the better service and worse service , the world would to be simple.Thanks !

Dava give us a good reply on this mater, whether you choose a person locally,agent locally or a western agent, the most import thing is that she or he can meet to your demand, can find the goods which in right price, right quality and can meet target consumers and you can benifit from the deals, result is the most important whatever how you goes. In which way we can see, wow,all of us are rich

 

[vinaayreddy]

thx for sharing this information..!

 

[Tony Tsui]

Also many clients import from China,they said it's trouble for them.
I want to know the reason.