Chinese import

[evenfasterdave]

I'd like to start an import business and would appreciate some advice please.
I'm thinking of visiting a show in China next month and would like to be prepared

 

[billie1]

You're doing the right thing by visiting a show so you can make contacts with manufacturers. Don't go for the first deal you think is good. Visit over a few days so you can see as much as possible as some of these shows can be huge. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Make notes and take contacts of those manufacturers you think would be useful.

 

[tomp1986]

Sound good keep us informed how you get on this is something that has always interested me .

Good luck have a safe trip

 

[Vending Siting Services]

Courtesy posting - thread being moved to International Forum.

Barbara

 

[GraemeL]

I'd like to start an import business and would appreciate some advice please.
I'm thinking of visiting a show in China next month and would like to be prepared

Hello,

there are some very helpful sticky's on this forum for new starters. As your post was originally on another forum, you might not have noticed these?

The Canton Fairs are huge. Many exhibitors speak English. If all you are doing is having a nose around you will get by. If you intend to do any sort of business at all, then you need an interpreter.

China is very different to the UK, though the Canton Fair appears to be 'western' when you see it. Remember you will need hotels and transport, which will be expensive to book now.

G

 

[evenfasterdave]

Thanks you for the previous help. I'll post another question regarding the Canton show and accommodation and interpreters etc. There is so much to learn before I even book my tickets !!

 

[GraemeL]

No worries.

The feeling you may get at the Fair is one of being overwhelmed. It is how I feel and I am not new to it. Combine that with the impact of visiting China for the first time (I am assuming it is?) and at the very least your judgement will be impaired. It will be really easy to see thousands of opportunities.

Also, you may well be tempted into progressing with something you see there simply because you have made the effort and spent the money to go. Don't would be my advice. You need to visit the real life factory, not the glamorous exhibition stand. The factory can be 1,000 miles away in the north. Your first visit should be for nothing more than research. In my opinion!

G

 

[evenfasterdave]

Hi Graeme, my thoughts are to visit the show for about 3 days, look around and get some ideas of what I think might sell and collect contact some details.
I'm not even sure what I would like to sell. Reading the other posts, I need to find an interpreter and a good hotel first !! Have you been to the show and if so could you recommend hotels etc please ? What are your thoughts on agents ?
Very grateful for your help !!

 

[GraemeL]

'Agent' is a misunderstood description. Many Chinese people work as Agents.

They might be a sort of wholesaler or front for a factory or pretend to be a factory. In that sense they are selling product to you. You will come across these Agents at the Fair, though you may not realise it at the time. Some will be honest, some will deceive you.

On the other hand, if you want someone in China to talk to factories on your behalf, negotiate, QC and so on, that 'someone' is also called an Agent. In this sense they are helping you to buy.

If you intend to buy in volume or high value, then that second type of agent is essential, unless you are able to speak a chinese dialect and visit often. I would call them a Partner rather than an agent. Personally, I have worked with my partners in China for over ten years. They have sourcing offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen. We specialise in specific product sectors and supply very well known UK retailers. My own speciality is office furniture and related products. These are not the partners for you, but I tell you about them to show that the biggest importers need partners.

If all you are doing is browsing, not trying to negotiate, you don't need a partner to visit the exhibition. If you do intend to trade, the sooner you get a partner involved, the better.

Tomorrow, you will have several posts on this thread with offers to help you!

Hotels in China are usually much cheaper than UK. Say £50 for a 4 or 5 star, marble foyer etc. At exhibition time, prices go up and up. Its easy to get a cheaper hotel, but I would advise you not to. For a first time trip, you will need a place that feels a bit homely, where you know the staff speak English and can give you advice and you dont have to eat chinese rice porridge for breakfast.

I usually stay in Panyu (Guest House) - its about 45 minutes away in good traffic, which is rare. Suggest you dont try to be clever on first trip, look at the Canton Fair website and pick a hotel from it.
http://hotel.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.aspx

Hotels will accept UK credit cards. What you will find odd is that you have to present your card at check in. Also, the credit card receipts you get will show your full card number, so destroy them carefully.
G

 

[Wowgiftchina]

Hi Dave ,

Graemel gave you a lot of useful experience which is very helpful for you I think.He is experienced in business with China.
Some suggestion of mine is that,It is better to decide some product in some area,study ,research it,at least know some information of it before going to the Fair.Or you will confused when walk around without goal to waste your time,as there are too many supplier in the Fair. Furthermore,you can have a professional talk with supplier then you will get much more deeper information of it.
In additional,I would like to tell you something about Chinese supplier.Most Chinese supplier in the Canton Fair is medium/big scale or have good relationship with local government.The price may not be the best,but most will guarantee the quality.And most big supplier like big quantity.For the first trip ,some standard booth maybe the best choice to start the business,they have worse place and worse business than big supplier so they will give you the best support.
Good luck!
David

 

[Directimport]

Hi Dave ,

Graemel gave you a lot of useful experience which is very helpful for you I think.He is experienced in business with China.
Some suggestion of mine is that,It is better to decide some product in some area,study ,research it,at least know some information of it before going to the Fair.Or you will confused when walk around without goal to waste your time,as there are too many supplier in the Fair. Furthermore,you can have a professional talk with supplier then you will get much more deeper information of it.
In additional,I would like to tell you something about Chinese supplier.Most Chinese supplier in the Canton Fair is medium/big scale or have good relationship with local government.The price may not be the best,but most will guarantee the quality.And most big supplier like big quantity.For the first trip ,some standard booth maybe the best choice to start the business,they have worse place and worse business than big supplier so they will give you the best support.
Good luck!
David

This is a very practical response and added to what GraemeL wrote in the previous post should have you well prepared.

Having visited a great many fairs I agree with GraemeL in an earlier post that you are likely to be overwhelmed. In fact you may find your head is in a whirl by the end of the day.

This is why it is so important to take Wowgiftchina's advice and prepare before you go, by researching products and having a good idea of what to look for. This does not mean you will not find something else that really fires your imagination.

On my visits to fairs I have not being able to resist at least glancing at absolutely every stand, but there is no doubt in my mind that generally speaking the smaller exhibitors will be keener to do business with a small operator.

Hint: When first starting up I never disclosed how small my business was, and I carried business cards identifying me as Managing Director. When making email contact before you go, I think it would be a mistake to say that you are in the process of starting a business or starting importing.

 

[nickbass]

Visiting a show is a good way!
Different shows in different industries will be held in China & Hong kong every year and a lot of Chinese suppliers will be there.

Wish you a good luck!

I am in China doing export business, if you need any help pls PM me and I will be more than happy to help!

I'd like to start an import business and would appreciate some advice please.
I'm thinking of visiting a show in China next month and would like to be prepared

 

[Directimport]

On reading this thread again, I realize I should have suggested that you do not make any commitments while at the fair.

In the interesting and sometimes exiting atmosphere of the fair it is too easy to see something that looks like a great opportunity, but on reflection you might think it is not so good, or you may find something that suits you better.

 

[annehuang]

hi
which products do your want to purchase?and where is the exhibition you can find. for the first time , you 's better search a chinese guide.

 

[Maple Sourcing]

Good luck to you, it's a good start.