China’s economy is getting stronger each year and importing from this country is a successful tactic for many businesses around the world. We are talking about more than visiting AliExpress and purchasing the items you like. Importing for China is not an easy task, and if you need any help related to sourcing, you can always ask Leeline sourcing.
The newbies are especially worried when it comes to importing of goods, and they have every reason to be. This process is time-consuming, complex and it can be quite expensive. The gains that you have visualized at the beginning of the process are often nulled with the time of the transit, high delivery costs, regulatory fees, and unplanned delays.
So how do you import from China successfully?
Contents
You need to know your import rights
Buying goods from foreign sources, in this case, Chinese, makes you an importer. Personal items that are not large will be delivered to you by the couriers, but before you purchase commercial goods into your country, you will have to learn more about import rights.
Identify the goods you want to import
In case you want to be a successful importer, you must identify the goods you plan on selling. Choosing the wrong products will not only cost you money but also time. Learn as much as possible about the goods you plan on importing and things such as descriptive literature, product composition information, and product samples should be acquired whenever possible.
The goods must be permitted in your country
Make sure that you are not violating any restrictions or otherwise, you will be breaking the law. Certain products are not allowed to be important whereas some require permits by the authorities. It is your obligation as the importer to make sure that the items are in accordance with the rules and regulations. People who import goods that do not comply with the regulations are penalized.
Find the supplier in China and place an order
When you select the supplier, after the research you have done, it is time to request a P/I which stands for Proforma Invoice. This P/I must show the weight and the dimensions as well as your term of purchase. This is an important step, and some of the things must be avoided.
For example, you shouldn’t go for the lowest price possible. Whenever something is significantly cheaper, it is time for an alert. Deciding on low-priced products is risk-taking. Furthermore, you should always clarify product details. If you are not extremely clear about the specifications, you will most likely end up with something you didn’t want in the first place. You need to be accurate and provide as many details as possible.
Last but not least, international trade is based on mutual trust. Showing distrust means that nobody will care about your products in factories and you will have nobody to ask for help if any issues arise.
Cargo transport
The transportation of goods is a complicated and long process, and delays are possible. This should not worry you too much. You can opt for air and sea freight and choosing a good company is crucial here. With the right company, you will have smooth operation instead of rising costs and wastage with the wrong one. When the cargo is shipped, you should start preparing for the arrival and fix all the documentation.
Obtaining your shipment is the last thing you need to do, and this is where cargo transport, as well as the whole process, ends. It is the easiest and most satisfying part.
Congratulations you have become a successful importer. Importing from China is a complicated process, but after one-two times, it will become a routine. Still, you need to be aware of laws and regulations at all times.