Need advice on importing clothing from China.

[Eugene Hill]

I think you should visit the Chinese embassy in your country. Let them know that you are willing to make business with a Chinese companies!
I am sure they will provide you with every possible information and help to get it done! Please understand, no country says 'no' to trade and money. Embassy will also let you know the possible documents that are required.

 

[Mike Godwin]

Hi Ceaton.
Good luck with your new venture. If you want any help on the shipping/logistics side especially if you want to import GOH (Garments on Hangers) in containers then please let me know and I will give you as much help as I can.

 

[LAK Store]

Hi,

You could always design clothes using Printful!

You design the clothing that you want to sell. Advertise it on your website set your profit margins and then when someone buys from you you go back onto printful website and purchase the clothing at the printful price and type in customer details and then they send it to the customer.

You get the profits that you make and they post the clothing for you!

I have listed some clothing on my website LAK Store. co uk" I also advertise on my LAK Store facebook page.

 

[website-designer]

I'd suggest using Printful too, you can make smaller order quantities, much less startup costs than potentially long waits from China combined with potentially poorer quality garments.

How do you plan on marketing your business? Actually getting customers? Arguably most important part of any business really, especially in a fashion business, a very, very busy market.

 

[eOffset Promotion]

Nowadays I would suggest buying cloths from Turkey because of price-quality ratios.

 

[Mr D]

Nowadays I would suggest buying cloths from Turkey because of price-quality ratios.

Which country do you suggest for getting the clothing made in from that? And would it be cheaper to get the manufacturer to arrange their own cloths?

 

[eOffset Promotion]

Which country do you suggest for getting the clothing made in from that? And would it be cheaper to get the manufacturer to arrange their own cloths?

Actually, It depends on quantity, quality, and your location. I would love to share our experiences.

Let's think a high-quality product. You will need cheap transportation and good prices. Turkey is closer to the UK and you can easily compare prices with China and I am sure that you will have the best prices from Turkey for the cotton products. Also, transportation time is another subject. I have some customers who need t-shirts to be in the UK in 1-2 weeks. I suggest Turkey because of these causes.

I can help with custom printed t-shirts, worker clothing, raincoats, hats, vets and labels. We're doing promotional product business and textile is a part of our sector.

 

[Johan Sjogren]

Really start with selling and see if anyone want to buy what you sell. Dont buy from China before you know you can do it. Just print one tshirt and sell that one, and see if you can sell it. If you are successful you can deal with company registration and import later. Just start with sell first.

 

[CHUKTC]

If you really want to set up your own brand and design of clothing then China is a great place to do it. Why? - firstly they have huge capacity and experience, second there are big savings compared to UK prices - even for bespoke individual clothing outlets. Thirdly the exchange rate is good and likely to get better over the coming months. Fourth they are now a sophisticated advanced economy with a skillful manufacturing base capable of producing innovative designs for you. My advice is don't wait take the plunge and start making contact. If you don't speak the language well and don't know china then engage a consultant to help you. It doesn't cost a fortune and can save you thousands. To look at it another way it's like employing a plumber to fix a burst pipe vs taking a day off work and doing it your self! For most people the choice is obvious.

 

[Rafael A]

If you really want to set up your own brand and design of clothing then China is a great place to do it. Why? - firstly they have huge capacity and experience, second there are big savings compared to UK prices - even for bespoke individual clothing outlets. Thirdly the exchange rate is good and likely to get better over the coming months. Fourth they are now a sophisticated advanced economy with a skillful manufacturing base capable of producing innovative designs for you. My advice is don't wait take the plunge and start making contact. If you don't speak the language well and don't know china then engage a consultant to help you. It doesn't cost a fortune and can save you thousands. To look at it another way it's like employing a plumber to fix a burst pipe vs taking a day off work and doing it your self! For most people the choice is obvious.

Hi, I hope I'm not gonna change the subject too much but I have a question, if you see a shirt on Alibaba with Hawaiian design, for example, you like it, you talk with them, then maybe you will find other colours too and start ordering/selling them with your brand.
What about if person x will do exactly the same thing as you and you will be in the position of having the same product as the Person X on your website? how we can sort this out?

Thank you

 

[Ben F]

Hope you got your point, I want to share something for you.
When making your choice as to how you are going to import, you will need to decide whether to handle logistics by yourself or outsource the work to a freight forwarder.

When importing from China your main options are air and sea. If your business needs to transport large quantities but there is no pressure to deliver quickly, shipping by sea may be suitable. However, if you require your items quickly and with higher levels of security, shipping by air might be more appropriate.

If you are importing smaller items you may want to look at importing by post. All goods arriving into the UK by post from China must be declared to HM Revenue & Customs. The sender must attach a completed declaration form CN22 or CN23. Goods worth more than £2,000 need a full Single Administrative Document declaration.

 

[Haindiary]

If you order through Printpool, how long will it be? Long delivery can discourage your customers to order the next time. If you certainly do not warn them about it in advance. It is easier to be a seller when everything is in your hands, and not to wait for delivery and be responsible for the quality of the goods of another supplier. But this reduces costs to the roots and you get a net profit.

 

[mikespencer]

Yup I would definitely not register as self employed until much later.

 

[Birchedge]

Hi Ron.

I'm so grateful for your helpful step by step guide. I will follow this plan now and make my business.

With step number 1. Register as self employed, what tax should i go with?

• Corporation Tax
• Self Assessment (including Class 2 National Insurance contributions)
• PAYE for Employers
• VAT
  

 

[Birchedge]

Hi, your step by step guide was really helpful since i am also planning of doing the same business.

 

[juliaperlman]

Step by Step Procedure:
1. Find out importation rules and regulations in your country
2. Find out Duties and Tax
3. Obtain import licenses and permit
4. Search for a supplier
5. Why not visit China if you have the resources?
6. Find out prices and minimum order quantity
7. Consider drop shipping options
8. Buy from different suppliers
9. Purchase samples
10. Use free shipping
11. Develop a personal relationship with your supplier
12. Figure out where to store your goods when they arrive
13. Involve your lawyer-
14. Protect yourself
15. Sell your products and ask for reviews

 

[philipking2019]

I think #1 gave you much information. You can experience a wonderful online business trade journey.

As for me, I will do the below steps:
1. I will find a clothing manufacturer in China and discuss the detail for cooperation. You provide the design, they make the clothes for you. At the same time, you can find several manufacturers. Test some samples firstly.

2. After finding the stable manufactures, you open one online store on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, whatever.

3. Taking photos for your samples products, editing your product image carefully and upload the images to the online store.

4. Optimize your store with on-page SEO and other ads, get more traffic to your store!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

One thing nobody has mentioned is why should anyone buy from you and why are your designs better that the professionally made ones

How much money have you put aside for marketing, what sales medum are you going to use, do you have experience of selling, have you made a business plan, have you compared the prices of similar items online to see if it's viable

 

[NathanGrieve]

I would contact some sellers through Alibaba and go and visit their factories if you can.

 

[Nick Garnett]

Alibaba

 

[Chris Ashdown]

As the OP has not been back since 2017 I guess they had enough info

 

[crackerjackcommerce]

I appreciate I might be a bit late to this thread and there is some excellent advice already mentioned however based on my experience if you are looking for a UK based import, storage and/or fulfilment company then check out Link Europa as they have a lot of knowledge and experience in product sourcing and importing, including footwear and clothing.

Website: www.linkeuropa.co.uk/En/About

 

[Mr D]

Get my parcel provides import services from china, mostly logistics, all the way - from coordinating collection/ documentation to delivery to local warehouses. If you don't have a warehouse, then they assist in finding you one as well. Post that, they service per order logistics as well.. in short, after product selection and ordering, they can take over part or full supply chain for the business. Possibly have a chat to find out more...

Yes multiple companies in Britain provide import services. We are a set of islands, lots of imports.

 

[Muskan_Khan]

As we all know that China has become a larger market in every field you want to join for business. Businessmen are much more attracted towards China because of quality product that they want in their limited budget. I really liked that you shared here about China market to grow clothing business in a great way. There are several brands who are offering same like branded products and making them on very low rates to get help from China market that is really a greater market now a days.

 

[fuyili]

Alibaba is a great platform for you to contact the sellers. Simply send your design to them and make a deal there directly.

 

[finejewellerys]

just register a member on wholesale business site like alibaba or dhgate wuld be great for clothes wholesale business. i hope it is helpful to you.

 

[V Narayan]

i need to find a similr thread for importing from India - sticky with a link to different such ones would be a nice one

 

[Limited100]

If you're posting a buying request on AliBaba, use an alternate email address as it's going to get hammered with sales emails. Also make sure they are a verified supplier and all of your communications are made from within AliBaba so it's traceable. Lots of sellers try to take you offline and discuss via email.

 

[MOIC]

If you're posting a buying request on AliBaba, use an alternate email address as it's going to get hammered with sales emails. Also make sure they are a verified supplier and all of your communications are made from within AliBaba so it's traceable. Lots of sellers try to take you offline and discuss via email.

The vast majority of Alibaba suppliers lie through their teeth.

They will say anything, do anything, show anything to get you interested.

When you start asking searching questions, the truth is then revealed, slowly.

The first person you get to speak to is a 'salesperson' who is there because he/she studied 'English' at school. They simply lie, as many Chinese do on Alibaba.

 

[AndyMuir9]

If you're looking to source products from China, you should hire a product sourcing agency in the UK, who has buyers based in mainland China. This ensures:

• There is no miscommunication.
• You receive accurate and authentic information.
• The quality of products are to your required standard- as they can conduct factory inspections.
• You receive the best prices.

This is something that we have recently started doing, as many UK businesses have asked us for assistance with this.

If you're looking for assistance with this, then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

 

[Red Wood]

The vast majority of Alibaba suppliers lie through their teeth.

They will say anything, do anything, show anything to get you interested.

When you start asking searching questions, the truth is then revealed, slowly.

The first person you get to speak to is a 'salesperson' who is there because he/she studied 'English' at school. They simply lie, as many Chinese do on Alibaba.

Spot on. Also let's be honest, a large proportion arn't even manufacturers, more resellers.

 

[Nyx004]

Be careful, many china manufacturers are just scammers. I'm recommending to go to china and choose your products by yourself.

 

[meteora]

why don't you try dropshipping first

 

[CHUKTC]

Nyx004 says I'm recommending to go to china and choose your products by yourself. However assuming you are a UK citizen living in UK it is not possible to visit China at present. Even when Covid restrictions are lifted (back to how they were a month ago) you will be faced with 2 weeks enforced quarantine in China and may also struggle to get health insurance. (If you are unlucky enough to catch Covid on the way to China and need treatment there you bill could be up to £100,000 - so not to be taken lightly.
The alternative and safest way, as many on here have recommended, is to use a company to do the sourcing for you.

 

[RjMaan]

Yeah, i think you have to register yourself as a sole proprietor by the way, i really like your idea of business. Wish you good luck.

 

[Mr D]

Yeah, i think you have to register yourself as a sole proprietor by the way, i really like your idea of business. Wish you good luck.

Why would you want to register as self employed?

 

[MsLai]

It is recommended that you conduct a business investigation first, and experience a more reliable experience.
Moreover, many foreign friends go to Guangzhou and Zhejiang to find OEMs or supply channels, which saves all expenses more than buying online.