Checking Legitimacy of Companies in China...

[jimbojones]

Hi All,

Does anyone know of an independent body/company that can confirm the legitimacy of a company's existence in China?

How can I protect myself finacially when trading with Chinese companies?

Thanks for any help in advance,

Jimbo

 

[redlion]

Chinese company. Maybe I can check it for you. I also live in China. Could you give me the name, tel and add?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Hi Jimbo,
Have a look at these people.They may be able to help you.
asiainspection.com
I have not used them,so cannot comment about them.
As for financial protection,consider a "Letter of Credit". Your bank should be able to help you with that.Good luck.

 

[jimbojones]

Thanks for the responses,

The company seems fine but just wanted to double check really,

Are there any other considerations I should think about when dealing with Chinese companies?

Thanks,

Jimbo

 

[catherinewoods]

Hi Jimbo,

This is an obvious one but it's pretty important - if you need a translator, select someone yourself. Don't let the company you're doing business with pick/recommend one for you.

Also be wary of Chinese tax laws. They're notoriously complex.

 

[jimbojones]

Thanks Catherine,

The factory manager i have been dealing with speaks very fluently and as such have had no translation problems but will certainly bear it in mind for the future.

In terms of the tax, do you know where i can obtain furhter info on the laws?

Thanks,

Jimbo

 

[catherinewoods]

I don't know of any free service that provides information on Chinese tax laws so your best bet is to speak to your accountant. Most mid-size UK accountancy firms (and actually quite a few smaller firms these days) have business partners in China who will be able to answer your questions.

 

[chenessex]

actually, you can require them to send company information to you, such as register code. all of the chinese companies have thoes things, if they are legitimacy.

if you donot know some chinese vocabular, i can help you out here, i am a chinese studying at uni of essex.

 

[Mister B]

Not sure exactly what you want to know, but in addition to speaking with the trade attache at the Chinese Embassy, you can also get these guys to do some more digging/inspection for you. I've used them in the past, (the HK office that is,) and they have been both trustworthy and efficient. Not too expensive either. They are actually an English company with offices in China & HK so no problem with translation

Hope that this helps.

Mister B

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Mister B,Double check the link you have provided.
I think you have added an additional http by accident!

 

[Mister B]

Most certainly have...thanks for pointing it out. Try this!
Mister B

 

[jimbojones]

Thanks guys,

1 more thing

Can anyone suggest or recommend an export agent as we don't have an export licence (as required by chinese law).

Cheers,

Jimbo

 

[chenessex]

Which trading area are you trading with?

I have a friend and he is working in a foregin trading company in Zhejiang Provience, NingBo city. If you need help, i may ask her for help.

 

[Mister B]

Hi Jimbo

In my experience, for every single import that I have handled, as a matter of course, the factory have provided the export license. At the end of the day, they are the guys who deal with their local government agencies and who should be handling it.

Without the export license, you will also not be able to get an import license into the EU, (assuming that you need one,) and as such it becomes a pretty big problem.

I think that you need to go back to your factory who should be able to sort it for you as a matter of course.

Let's hope so!

Mister B

 

[brianp]

Hi All,

Does anyone know of an independent body/company that can confirm the legitimacy of a company's existence in China?

How can I protect myself finacially when trading with Chinese companies?

Thanks for any help in advance,

Jimbo

Jimbo,

If you are considering sourcing from other Asian countries, I am based in Thailand. I also have an acquaintance who imports from China to Thailand for the Thai domestic market.

Brian

 

[jimbojones]

Which trading area are you trading with?

I have a friend and he is working in a foregin trading company in Zhejiang Provience, NingBo city. If you need help, i may ask her for help.

Yes the factory im dealing with is in the Zhejiang Province but as Mister B kindly pointed out - they should be able to handle the logisitics of it all...

I just assumed that as we would have to appoint a fowarding company here in the uk to handle the customs and excise and VAT, that a similar firm would handle it at that end but presume that the factory will build this into the shipping costs?? But you know what they say about assumptions...

Thanks again guys,

Jimbo

 

[jimbojones]

Jimbo,

If you are considering sourcing from other Asian countries, I am based in Thailand. I also have an acquaintance who imports from China to Thailand for the Thai domestic market.

Brian

Hi Brian,

At the moment i'm just exploring the feasibility and logisitcs of setting up this relationship with the factory i have been in talks with in China for a few months now. I had a slight cashflow prob at the latter end of last year and so had to postpone any dealings with them but have since sorted all that out and am now in a postion to move forward.

I suppose with all the talk of China at the moment, other markets such as Thailand's are being overlooked somewhat.

I will bear it in mind for any future opportunities tho,

Thanks Brian,

Jimbo

 

[chenessex]

Jimbo,

If you are considering sourcing from other Asian countries, I am based in Thailand. I also have an acquaintance who imports from China to Thailand for the Thai domestic market.

Brian

Hi Brain

What product are you buying from China?

j

 

[chenessex]

Yes the factory im dealing with is in the Zhejiang Province but as Mister B kindly pointed out - they should be able to handle the logisitics of it all...

I just assumed that as we would have to appoint a fowarding company here in the uk to handle the customs and excise and VAT, that a similar firm would handle it at that end but presume that the factory will build this into the shipping costs?? But you know what they say about assumptions...

Thanks again guys,

Jimbo

WAO, you dealing with Zhejiang, provience, i am living there,

 

[jimbojones]

WAO, you dealing with Zhejiang, provience, i am living there,

Small world eh?

 

[Mister B]

Hi Jimbo

Not sure what terms that you're buying on but as a rule of thumb, all pricing whether it be CIF FOB etc would include the cost of export documentation.

As you quite rightly say, the onus is on you to handle the import side for which all you really need is a good forwader. Hand their details over to the factory and you're half way there

Mister B

 

[chenessex]

Small world eh?

YA it is.

anyway, do you mind if you tell me what product are you buying from China, because i am doing marketing search in UK, and trying to find a popular goods here. I am going to set up a trading company after finish degree in UK..

 

[chenessex]

Thanks guys,

1 more thing

Can anyone suggest or recommend an export agent as we don't have an export licence (as required by chinese law).

Cheers,

Jimbo

Hello, I am chenessex, studying in Uk for 7 years now.

DO you mind if i add your MSN, if you have one.

I just want to make some new friends who is doing good in business.


Chen

 

[jimbojones]

YA it is.

anyway, do you mind if you tell me what product are you buying from China, because i am doing marketing search in UK, and trying to find a popular goods here. I am going to set up a trading company after finish degree in UK..

Hi Chen,

Unfortunately I wont divulge that at the moment and like to keep my cards as close to my chest as possible! i'm sure there is plenty of scope to bring all sorts of products from china to europe in the future and im sure you must have some ideas as to what may or may not work over here..??

I dont use MSN anymore to be honest but feel free to msg me here on UKBF!

Cheers,

Jimbo

 

[chenessex]

HI Jimbo

It's fine.

Ya, you are absolutly right. that's why i am always spend some time on this forum and others, trying to see what people need mostly.

anyway, if you need any help, such as translation in chinese,or contact in Zhejiang. feel free to PM me, i will do my best to help you.

Chen

 

[JC1]

I am a UK Internet company and I am talking to manufacturers in China trying to bring consumer electronics into the UK with my brand, I have contact several companies out there and agreed prices see samples etc but I am very concerned about wiring 30% upfront to a Chinese’s company I have not dealt with before, will the product be good quality, will the product fail after a few months etc.

I am looking for Cameras,TVS,Digital photo frames in large volumes I really need assistance from anybody who has dealt with manufacturers before and can send me recommendations

Nearly all of the brands we see on retail shelves in the UK are manufacturers in china, Apple IPOD, Sony Ericsson phones etc, I need similar good quality.
I have heard horror stories where manufacturers have supplied you a couple of times then disappeared, where they have supplied a couple of shipments correctly then ship a load of faulty goods etc.

Thank you