Expensive shipping/sample costs - from China to UK

[Greg Kellett]

Hello, I was hoping somebody can help me.

I have been looking at importing some clothes from China. I have been on Alibaba, found a possible supplier, but their shipping/sample costs seem to be massively expensive.

Their price for each garment is $6.50. I estimate the weight of each garment would be approx 500g. I have asked for 3 samples of different garments, but they are asking for a total of $150 for the cost and shipping of the garments. They say they already have them in stock.

Do I run a mile? Or is this normal?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Denzel Fan]

Hi Greg,

As far as we know, charges of sample order will only cover the prime cost from most China suppliers. Sometimes, sample free, only the courier cost.

Clearly the supplier you are reaching has reserved profits. But the total price is not exaggerated.

Maybe you can try to reach another supplier.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[Greg Kellett]

Hi Denzel. Sorry, but I'm not sure I fully understand what you're saying.

What I should have asked is, how much should the shipping be from China to the UK, per kg?

And if the actual shipping cost is a lot less than what this company is offering me, then does that mean they are just trying to make money from the sample sale?

My thoughts are that they should be offering the sample and shipping at reasonable costs. If I like the sample, then I would go back and buy more, and then that company could start making some profits from my business. The fact that the sample and shipping costs are prohibitive makes me not want to trust them, and makes me think the sample is probably poor quality.

Just wondering if anybody else has had any similar experiences? Or is this normal, and should I consider going ahead?

 

[Denzel Fan]

Hi Denzel. Sorry, but I'm not sure I fully understand what you're saying.

What I should have asked is, how much should the shipping be from China to the UK, per kg?

And if the actual shipping cost is a lot less than what this company is offering me, then does that mean they are just trying to make money from the sample sale?

My thoughts are that they should be offering the sample and shipping at reasonable costs. If I like the sample, then I would go back and buy more, and then that company could start making some profits from my business. The fact that the sample and shipping costs are prohibitive makes me not want to trust them, and makes me think the sample is probably poor quality.

Just wondering if anybody else has had any similar experiences? Or is this normal, and should I consider going ahead?

Hi Greg,

The official DHL price of 1.5kg from China to UK is about US$110. But most times there's discount from 20%~50% through a courier agent like us.

If your supplier can't get discount from DHL, then the price they provided is reasonable.

The question is how you define "reasonable".

Did I make myself clear this time?

 

[Denzel Fan]

Hi Denzel. Sorry, but I'm not sure I fully understand what you're saying.

What I should have asked is, how much should the shipping be from China to the UK, per kg?

And if the actual shipping cost is a lot less than what this company is offering me, then does that mean they are just trying to make money from the sample sale?

My thoughts are that they should be offering the sample and shipping at reasonable costs. If I like the sample, then I would go back and buy more, and then that company could start making some profits from my business. The fact that the sample and shipping costs are prohibitive makes me not want to trust them, and makes me think the sample is probably poor quality.

Just wondering if anybody else has had any similar experiences? Or is this normal, and should I consider going ahead?

List 1. Some companies do make profits from sample orders to cover their cost on time and work labor.

List 2. Some companies want to earn bigger business through reasonable sample charges, like your thoughts.

List 3. Some companies provide free samples even with free freight cost to earn trust and business.

In my opinion, each kind of company will attract their specific kind of customers.

If you understand the companies list 1, the total price is not indeed exaggerated. Just go ahead.

If you only want to deal with companies list 2&3, find another company fit in your thought.

 

[Greg Kellett]

Thanks Denzel, yes, I understand this time. Still don't know what to do, but I appreciate that this is normal!

What confuses me is that you can buy things off eBay from China, reasonably priced, and they sometimes offer free postage. For example, you can buy a phone charger for less than £2, including postage. How do they manage to make money if postage is that expensive?

Dan - no offence taken.

 

[Denzel Fan]

Thanks Denzel, yes, I understand this time. Still don't know what to do, but I appreciate that this is normal!

What confuses me is that you can buy things off eBay from China, reasonably priced, and they sometimes offer free postage. For example, you can buy a phone charger for less than £2, including postage. How do they manage to make money if postage is that expensive?

Dan - no offence taken.

The difference of transit time should be notable.

If the standard express services we were talking about above, the transit time is abt 3~5days.

Meanwhile, the courier companies provide another economy shipping services, very very cheap but cost abt 15~25 days. Free shipping by eBay seller from China always choose this kind of courier service.

But as low as £2 including shipping, oh no, out of my understanding.

 

[GraemeL]

Their price for each garment is $6.50. I estimate the weight of each garment would be approx 500g. I have asked for 3 samples of different garments, but they are asking for a total of $150 for the cost and shipping of the garments. They say they already have them in stock.

Do I run a mile? Or is this normal?

Hello Greg,

Two points might help you.

1) Suggest you get price from factory and contact DHL (or similar) directly to arrange your own freight. The shipping cost does sound expensive, but in any case it is best to control your own freight

2) It is quite possible that they charge more for a sample than for the same item in a production run. At the very least, there will be different packaging requirements and more admin per unit

They will get loads of enquiries like yours, most of which will come to nothing. The general impression the factory has of people like us is that we are most likely to be time wasters. For them, your enquiry is so small its not worth spending time on. So it is important to try to build a personal relationship to show you are different to the rest.

G

 

[GraemeL]

You can transport with containers on the sea is cheaper

Another daft post. Sea? For 3 garment samples. Crazy.

 

[kas0]

This isnt a direct answer to your question but it might help. I enquired about getting a sample sofa in from China (I really just wanted it for myself at a wholesale price) from a supplier on alibaba and I was quoted $310 for shipping. Mind you this was a chunky 4 piece corner sofa bed - so I think your supplier is exaggerating. Im fairly sure you can arrange for DHL or another courier to collect it from their factory, but dont hold me to that. All the best

 

[GraemeL]

I enquired about getting a sample sofa in from China (I really just wanted it for myself at a wholesale price)

Greg - this is an example why factories might not be biting your hand off to supply and it is not the time this has been done
G

 

[Aarona80]

Almost about 60-80 USD,include samples and shipping cost.It's clear that your supplier is exaggerating.

 

[Yen]

Hi Greg, you have to skip to use the international courier shipping company.
Their charger is more expensive than other logistic company.

 

[sskimins]

I think they overcharged you on shipping, 1.5kg should be $19.00 to $20.00 if you don't use DHL, as I use Royal Mail recorded delivery (4-9days) only costed me $19.00

 

[Directimport]

There is no doubt they are making a good profit if they are using China Post. The Chinese government is subsidising postal charges to encourage small exporters. That explains why you can buy a phone charger for less than £2, including postage.

Mind you the charger might not work at that price. There are a lot of vendors on some of the B2B sites who will even sell electrical or electronic goods without proper testing and not meeting CE rules. That could be the case even if they quote a CE certificate. (Forged?) Those who buy products requiring certificates need to know how to check authenticity.

I know that is not your problem but you mentioned it so I thought to protect people I should deal with it.

For your samples, ask them to quote the price for the samples and a separate price to send via China Post.

Graeme is right about Chinese suppliers tiring of people wasting their time, so move slowly, correspond with relevant questions and build up a relationship that shows you are a serious businessman.