Canton Fair Advice

[Dentz]

We are currently retailing contemporary furniture online and are looking to take it to the next level and import a container from China. Having struggled to find a reliable factory through online methods, we have decided to visit the Canton Fair next month to source a supplier there, and have a few queries that hopefully people can assist with.

Our plan is to spend all 5 days at phase 2 then another week after this to arrange factory visits, is this realistic and the best approach do you think?

What should we aim to find out both at the fair and at the factory visits? Are there key questions we should ask and essential documentation they should be able to provide?

Is an interpreter recommended and if so would we need this for the whole duration or just the factory visits? Where is the best place to find an interpreter?

Apologies for all the questions anyway, this is our first importing experience so are trying to gather as much information as possible!

 

[Wowgiftchina]

We are currently retailing contemporary furniture online and are looking to take it to the next level and import a container from China. Having struggled to find a reliable factory through online methods, we have decided to visit the Canton Fair next month to source a supplier there, and have a few queries that hopefully people can assist with.

Our plan is to spend all 5 days at phase 2 then another week after this to arrange factory visits, is this realistic and the best approach do you think?

What should we aim to find out both at the fair and at the factory visits? Are there key questions we should ask and essential documentation they should be able to provide?

Is an interpreter recommended and if so would we need this for the whole duration or just the factory visits? Where is the best place to find an interpreter?

Apologies for all the questions anyway, this is our first importing experience so are trying to gather as much information as possible!

Hi
The schedule is no problem,and there is a core city of furniture near Canton (Shunde) you may need a guider take you to visit there or looking for a supplier in that city at the Fair.Another core province of furniture is Southern Jiangsu province (about 1200 kilo metres from Canton).As I live in both of these province,had been in Canton for 5 years.The interpreter,there are many outside the exhibition hall,they are students mostly.RMB 200-300 per day.But better to find a one who know your industry or introduced by friends.Note:Keep you wallet carefully when you visit.Wish you have a pleasant stay in China.

 

[maxdmind]

Well about key questions I think you can ask like this:
1.Have you ever export to europe? That is to make sure they their goods fit your market.
2.And does they have all certifications you will need and could they show you the copy or somethng can prove they have.
3.How big is their factories and how many labours,that is to estimate their production capacity。
4.payment and delivery time
Well I just think of these now,if I think more then I will type it out here.

About interpreter you can find many language college students outside the exhibition hall,They are not bad,pay by hour and not too expensive,If you want just choose one you want.

Hope these will help you

 

[GraemeL]

Our plan is to spend all 5 days at phase 2 then another week after this to arrange factory visits, is this realistic and the best approach do you think?

What should we aim to find out both at the fair and at the factory visits? Are there key questions we should ask and essential documentation they should be able to provide?

Is an interpreter recommended and if so would we need this for the whole duration or just the factory visits? Where is the best place to find an interpreter?

Nope, not realistic or effective, for several reasons. Maybe I can give you some guidance, but that's not the key issue. Are you sure you mean next month? The fair in April is not furniture - unless I misunderstand what you sell.

CIFF is the one you want http://www.ciff-gz.com/en/index.aspx Its on now.

The products shown at the one next month is:-

http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/html/cantonfair/en/common/2012-09/8469.shtml

Have I got this wrong?


G

 

[Mister B]

Hope the following helps...don't forget the need for a good QC team.

Mister B

Our plan is to spend all 5 days at phase 2 then another week after this to arrange factory visits, is this realistic and the best approach do you think? This is realistic but arrange the factory visits before you go. It will show that you're more committed and ansure that you don't waste too much time. The factories should pick you up from the hotel each morning, you can also ask them for hotel recommendations.

What should we aim to find out both at the fair and at the factory visits? Are there key questions we should ask and essential documentation they should be able to provide? Key customers, key markets, amount of employees, source of raw materials, safety certifications and payment terms and conditions. (Make sure that you get FOB pricing.)

Is an interpreter recommended and if so would we need this for the whole duration or just the factory visits? Where is the best place to find an interpreter? Interpreters can be quite good, but generally speaking, if you are using one of the larger factories then they speak pretty good English anyway. If you need an interpreter at the show, how will you comminicate when back in the UK? So, based on that, I would avoid them. (Although they can have uses.)

Apologies for all the questions anyway, this is our first importing experience so are trying to gather as much information as possible!

 

[MOIC]

We are currently retailing contemporary furniture online and are looking to take it to the next level and import a container from China. Having struggled to find a reliable factory through online methods, we have decided to visit the Canton Fair next month to source a supplier there, and have a few queries that hopefully people can assist with.

Our plan is to spend all 5 days at phase 2 then another week after this to arrange factory visits, is this realistic and the best approach do you think?

What should we aim to find out both at the fair and at the factory visits? Are there key questions we should ask and essential documentation they should be able to provide?

Is an interpreter recommended and if so would we need this for the whole duration or just the factory visits? Where is the best place to find an interpreter?

Apologies for all the questions anyway, this is our first importing experience so are trying to gather as much information as possible!

Hi

You should always go to Trade Specific Fairs. There is currently one on at the moment, C.I.F.F (China International Furniture Fair).

You will see every furniture imaginable.

Once you have selected the furniture you are looking for, it's best to employ an agent to do the negotiating, prepare the contract, carry out a factory evaluation and look after the quality control and shipping. Don't try to do this yourself in order to save money. It's false economy.

Like the Canton fair, the C.I.F.F is held twice a year.

As mentioned you can go to the "Furniture Factory Areas' where you will find a greater selection and also different qualities to choose from.

For this trip it's essential to go with an experienced interpreter/guide, as the majority of factories will speak little or no english.

If you require any assistance, feel free to PM me.

I am from the UK with our Head Office in Guangzhou, China.

Best of luck

Ron

 

[MOIC]

Are you sure you mean next month? The fair in April is not furniture - unless I misunderstand what you sell.

CIFF is the one you want http://www.ciff-gz.com/en/index.aspx Its on now.

The products shown at the one next month is:-

http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/html/cantonfair/en/common/2012-09/8469.shtml

Have I got this wrong?


G

Both fairs are good to go to and will give a good selection of what is available.

There are many furniture related fairs to visit in China, and all have their unique strong points.

It really depends on what you are looking for.

 

[Directimport]

When I first began visiting China in 1978 as an exporter, I had to use an interpreter. The reason is that when you are selling, the Chinese buyers will only speak to you through an interpreter because that places you at a disadvantage.

As they supposedly don't speak English it is not impolite for them to talk together in Chinese, and this helps them ensure that they have the benefit of two heads, or 3 or 4, being better than one. I know that on several occasions at least, some could speak English but refused to do so.

Later, in 1987 when I began visiting as an importer and I was now buying, there was no need for an interpreter, because without exception potential suppliers had someone who spoke quite good English.

I must say this ploy is not used exclusively by Chinese business people. I have had similar experiences in several other countries.

 

[MOIC]

When I first began visiting China in 1978 as an exporter, I had to use an interpreter. The reason is that when you are selling, the Chinese buyers will only speak to you through an interpreter because that places you at a disadvantage.

As they supposedly don't speak English it is not impolite for them to talk together in Chinese, and this helps them ensure that they have the benefit of two heads, or 3 or 4, being better than one. I know that on several occasions at least, some could speak English but refused to do so.

Later, in 1987 when I began visiting as an importer and I was now buying, there was no need for an interpreter, because without exception potential suppliers had someone who spoke quite good English.

I must say this ploy is not used exclusively by Chinese business people. I have had similar experiences in several other countries.

Unless the factory has someone who speaks very good english and can communicate what is aid to other departments that are looking after your order, it is essential to have an interpreter or agent to follow the process, from start to end (unless this is repeat business on an identical product, then less so).

It maybe that one or two people within the factory speak some english, but some english is not good enough, it leaves the door open to mistakes being made.

Also, you have to take into account the communication within the factory, as who you speak to at order stage is not the production manager looking after your order.

Unless you are prepared to stay in china to completely oversee your order and the process to shipping, a good intepreter or agent that understands your business and product are essential to limit any mistakes being made.

There are no short cuts to working with China.

It's just not good enough for a factory to have a person speaking a level of english. It has to be a level that is completely understood by you as well as the other party understanding fully your requirements.

A person who knows 60% english, leaves the door open to having 40% possible problems.

Generally, Chinese employees like to say yes, yes, yes to any question thrown at them, but in truth, not everything is understood.

Play safe.

 

[hayleyllf]

if you need an interpreter , i would be glad to be your interpreter

 

[jffukb]

Dont forget about the FSC. Ask them if they have fsc certificate and materials source.

 

[kingbails]

Spent the day in Canton fair yesterday looking to source new home sanitary suppliers for a client. I visited my friends booth whilst he wasn't there (he is the manager of a 4 man trading company who I play football with, definitely not a factory representative) and I thought I would quiz his staff. They were pretty well trained...

Q. Where is your factory?
A. Shenzhen

Q. How many people does you company employ?
A. 150 workers, 12 full time office staff.

Q. Do you have Australian Watermark certification for any of your products?
A. We are in the process of getting it (standard answer for no).

Pinch of salt people!

 

[MOIC]

Spent the day in Canton fair yesterday looking to source new home sanitary suppliers for a client. I visited my friends booth whilst he wasn't there (he is the manager of a 4 man trading company who I play football with, definitely not a factory representative) and I thought I would quiz his staff. They were pretty well trained...

Q. Where is your factory?
A. Shenzhen

Q. How many people does you company employ?
A. 150 workers, 12 full time office staff.

Q. Do you have Australian Watermark certification for any of your products?
A. We are in the process of getting it (standard answer for no).

Pinch of salt people!

. . . . . . .And wait until you ask some technical questions about the products