China to UK Freight Shipping Cost Advice Needed

[JRupal]

Hi ladies and gents... Health, Fitness & Life Coach startup here

I'm relatively comfortable with the idea that my business may not ever get off its feet or survive... but here is the thing, I haven't sold anything yet!

I would like to source vitamins and minerals from Alibaba (Mainly China) and have spent time sourcing products and talking to suppliers.
The issue I'm having is that I underestimated the impact of the delays and price surge in freight / shipping fees due to global supply lines being impacted by lockdowns etc.

How are other businesses dealing with this? Who takes the hit? the business or the consumer? or both?
Is it any different for a new business making their first imports? will the shipping costs ever return to normal?
Is it worth waiting it out or should I get stuck in right away?

To put things into perspective I have no products or customers yet. Just the shell of the business. Logo / website / accounts and a ton of ideas!

The idea was that I use a lot of these supplements myself and wanted to start saving on costs as soon as possible while I sit on the inventory and sell it through different platforms. I plan to order large amounts of each product from various suppliers keep adding products to my inventory over time this same way.

The business will be focused around therapies and sell / provide supplements as a complimentary revenue stream and / or perk to the main therapy services.

Any positive or negative criticism is welcome.

thanks

 

[CHUKTC]

Regarding your question about Shipping costs we believe these costs are by and large here to stay. Pre pandemic they were unsustainably low with many shipping lines running at a loss and with little or no money to invest in new equipment. We expect to see a softening of prices over the next 12 - 18 months as new ships come off the slipways and as demand stabilises. There are however huge infrastructure problems such as antiquated inefficient ports which still needs to be addressed. We do not believe they will return to anything close to pre pandemic levels.

In terms of who pays - in the end it has to be the customer - otherwise you don't have a viable business. All business have to cover their costs from sales and income and shipping costs need to be covered along with everything else.

It does however raise other questions - given the high cost of shipping is it possible to purchase these goods closer to home (even at a slightly higher cost) in order to save on shipping costs? Have a close look at where your competitors are sourcing from. You can learn a lot from this.

On a separate note unrelated to your initial question whilst its perfect possible to buy and import vitamins and minerals from China you need to be very careful to ensure they are to the required standard and fit to be sold in the UK. Standard in China are very different and as the importer, and retailer you will be responsible for ensuring they are safe and comply with trading standards regulations. You should therefore be careful to satisfy yourself the all the relevant test reports have been carried out on each product. That the tests are genuine and carried out by a reputable laboratory you can trust. And that the reports actually relate to the product you are buying not a similar related product, which is often the case. Failing that you may wish to consider getting the products tested on arrival in the UK to ensure they meet UK standards.

I wish you all the very best with your business plans - proceed with care!

 

[WaveJumper]

As above worth looking for a UK supplier due not just to the high import costs but whether the product is safe for UK market. if going down the importing route worth making yourself aware of current rules & regs

Importing food supplements and health foods

Guidance on labelling, contaminants and what to look out for when importing products which come from animals.

www.food.gov.uk

 

[JRupal]

As above worth looking for a UK supplier due not just to the high import costs but whether the product is safe for UK market. if going down the importing route worth making yourself aware of current rules & regs

Importing food supplements and health foods

Guidance on labelling, contaminants and what to look out for when importing products which come from animals.

www.food.gov.uk

I took your advice on this and stayed in the UK market. I think I saved myself a lot of time and stress considering my micro entity status. The price difference and minimums made that clear.

Thank you