Importing goods and packaging (from China) seperately?

[jpowell79]

Hi guys,

I was hoping someone could offer some advice on importing. I am looking to import some porcelain dinner plates from china to sell in the UK.

I have a supplier of the plates in Shenzen, and a supplier of the gift box packaging in Qingdao. I'm obviously looking to keep costs as low as possible so am wondering the best way to approach this.

My first order will be for 5000 plates and 5000 gift boxes to put them in. As far as I can see, my options are:

1. Ship items seperately FOB from Qingdao port and Shenzen port. Presumably in doing this I am subject to all import costs twice. I think I also have to pay seperate import duties this way as well.. I.e 3.7% for box packaging and 12% for porcelain dinnerware.... I imagine this option will be costly.

2. Get the box packaging supplier to ship FOB to Shenzen (adding 15% to the quote) and then ship both items in the same container, saving 2x shipping fees.

3. Get the box packaging supplier to ship to the porcelain manufacturer who can then box the plates for me (adding 15% from the box supplier and 8% from the plates manufacturer) but presumably reducing the import duty as this will be classed as a single gifted item? Not actually sure if this is the case??

4. Try to find an alternative packaging supplier in Shenzen who will be more price competitive with the Qingdao supplier?

Any suggestions welcome guys. Thanks

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

An interesting one

I think to answer your question you need to cost out each of the four options.

Start by getting shipping quotes for the two part load shipments from Shenzhen and Qingdao. You will need to know the respective weights and volumes of the two shipments.

Then get a quote for a 20' container ex Shenzhen to UK.

On option 3, if the plates are boxed, unless the cost of the boxes is shown separately on your supplier's invoice you will end up paying the duty rate for the plates.

Hope this helps!

Glen

 

[Directimport]

Hi jpowell,

Wavecrest's reply is good advice, but I suggest you might consider buying the gift packaging locally.

In my experience I have often found that printed paper or cardboard products ex China are not such a great buy if you take the freight and duty into account.

Regards,
Walter

 

[Mister B]

Forgive my ignorance, but why can you not get the plate supplier to source the special packaging for you? I would be amazed if they do not do this for other people already at cost effective rates.

Alternatively, find another specialist packaging supplier near Shenzhen. I know for fact that HK houses loads of really good packaging suppliers who design in HK and manufacture on the mainland, notably in Guangzhou which is just down the road from Shenzhen.

Mister B

 

[jpowell79]

Forgive my ignorance, but why can you not get the plate supplier to source the special packaging for you? I would be amazed if they do not do this for other people already at cost effective rates.

Alternatively, find another specialist packaging supplier near Shenzhen. I know for fact that HK houses loads of really good packaging suppliers who design in HK and manufacture on the mainland, notably in Guangzhou which is just down the road from Shenzhen.

Mister B

thanks. I did initially sift through a few Shenzen quotes (that were a lot higher than the Qingdao quote) but as you say, the supplier may have contacts themselves, so will go back to them to see what they say.

cheers

 

[GraemeL]

thanks. I did initially sift through a few Shenzen quotes (that were a lot higher than the Qingdao quote) but as you say, the supplier may have contacts themselves, so will go back to them to see what they say.

cheers

Hello,

I would recommend the use of an agent in China to do this for you. Also they can carry out a QC before shipping. Essential for this type of product, as you will have almost no chance of recompense for any failure.

G

 

[IMEX Sourcing Services]

Hi,

We actually do this quite frequently for our clients. Based on experience & empirical evidence, I can tell you, your best options are:

1. Your first option will be way too expensive, not only in terms of logistics course, but manpower cost in the UK (Putting the plates and packaging together).

2. Second option - better than first, but still expensive

3. This is a feasible option, i.e. get the packaging shipped to porcelain supplier & get them to put it all together and pack it to export standard.

4. If you can find a local packaging supplier (who can make the packaging at a same or lower cost), who can then send the packaging to the manufacturer, this would be your most cost efficient option.

Option 1 should not be that hard to execute. If you need more help with this, feel free to drop me a PM.

 

[MOIC]

My Advice is to get the manufacturer of the plates to source themselves the packaging.

As mentioned by Mister B, this happens frequently and is standard practice for most suppliers.

You will find that there are many packaging manufacturers based in Shantou, which is in the same province as Shenzhen (Much closer than Qingdao).

If you require any help sourcing the packaging (No Charge), please send me a PM.

Best of luck.

Ron

 

[jaizhang]

I am in shenzhen, the idea way is sent one by ono ,or direct sent to you coustomers ,no need tax

 

[Frankngai]

Hello,

Option 3 is the best choice. But you shouldn't add 15% to the box supplier and 8% to the plate manufacturer. It's simple. Just get RMB price from the box supplier. Then, ask the plate manufacturer to buy the box from nominated box supplier from Qingdao directly. You just need to pay all the money to plate manufacturer. They may not some extra charge. It's quite unreasonable to be up to 8%.

Hope this would be helpful. If you need any further assistance, feel free to drop me a PM.

B. rgds,
Frank

 

[Import Expert]

I'm a bit late to the party on this one but as above, I would get the plate manufacturer to buy the packaging (of your choice) or source themselves provided they let you check quality. Not only will this save you money on shipping costs but will dramatically reduce the need for handling/packing in the UK.

In fact a good lesson for some here. I have a friend who sells an item regularly on eBay. They get their Chinese supplier to pack the goods in jiffy bags with his documentation all ready for postage in the UK once they arrive. All he has to do is put an address sticker and stamp on. Saves a small fortune.

 

[colinzhong]

Hi jpowell

There are thousands of gift box suppliers in Shenzhen or the place nearby.
Ask your plate supplier to sourcing for you, tell them your requirement and target price , they will be very glad to do so.
It's the best way to save the cost and the time , trust me , I'm Chinese and this is how we do the business now.

Colin

 

[Joannajinghan]

Hi guys,

I was hoping someone could offer some advice on importing. I am looking to import some porcelain dinner plates from china to sell in the UK.

I have a supplier of the plates in Shenzen, and a supplier of the gift box packaging in Qingdao. I'm obviously looking to keep costs as low as possible so am wondering the best way to approach this.

My first order will be for 5000 plates and 5000 gift boxes to put them in. As far as I can see, my options are:

1. Ship items seperately FOB from Qingdao port and Shenzen port. Presumably in doing this I am subject to all import costs twice. I think I also have to pay seperate import duties this way as well.. I.e 3.7% for box packaging and 12% for porcelain dinnerware.... I imagine this option will be costly.

2. Get the box packaging supplier to ship FOB to Shenzen (adding 15% to the quote) and then ship both items in the same container, saving 2x shipping fees.

3. Get the box packaging supplier to ship to the porcelain manufacturer who can then box the plates for me (adding 15% from the box supplier and 8% from the plates manufacturer) but presumably reducing the import duty as this will be classed as a single gifted item? Not actually sure if this is the case??

4. Try to find an alternative packaging supplier in Shenzen who will be more price competitive with the Qingdao supplier?

Any suggestions welcome guys. Thanks

I am a supplier of gift box in shenzhen. Could you please send me your request for quoting?
Joanna, salesatxzypvcdotcom.

 

[stage]

In my experience I have often found that printed paper or cardboard products ex China are not such a great buy if you take the freight and duty into account.

 

[Shirley Gao]

My opinion is you find box supplier around shenzhen. Ask them to send box to plate supplier. They put plate inside. Try to ask plate supplier packing free for you. You buy finished products from them. So when you apply for custom. You only need to apply for plate. This way can help you save tax for box and shipping charge. Hope my advice is useful to you.