The Wholesale Forums

[Businessinchina]

China is one of the largest exporters and manufacturers for all kinds of products worldwide. It's very important for you to know the right procedures of importing from China.
STEPS:

1 Find the products you're interested in. There are many sources to find your products. The internet is the easiest one to start with. There are many web listing services, including Mod Edit: Links Removed etc. Here, you can register your username, post the products of your interest, and you will receive tons of products' supply information and perhaps a price list.

2 Establish a relationship with potential suppliers. Select a few potential suppliers to communicate with. Narrow down the ones that you really want to work with. Discuss the price and trade relationship. Obtain product samples. Discuss shipping and payment terms. Gather all necessary information to prepare for placing a trial order.

3 Understand trade terms and use them. Before placing any order, you need to understand and confirm with your suppliers about shipment terms. Most popular are FOB and CIF, as well as payment terms. These are closely related to your landing cost calculation and risk assessment. You can consult an import management company and a freight forwarder for detail break-down on the costs and risks. You can also use an import management company to negotiate the trade terms.

4 Do your homework on compliance issues. You need to understand the relevant import compliance regulations beforehand. Besides US Customs and Border Protection, other government authorities like USDA, FDA, DOT, and ATF also regulate the importation. Pay particular attention when you import textile products from China. Go to the websites of these agencies to understand, register or download the forms. Compliance issues can be very complicated for some products. It is highly recommended to consult a good Customs House Broker before placing any order.

5 Select a forwarder and Customs House broker. Go to your local international trade organization/association and Customs office to find the list. Visit them, and select the one you like. For the first time importer, use more individualized services, because you need more attention than you would expect.

6 Place a trial order with a written Purchase Order if everything goes well. In the purchase order, besides typing out a detailed description of the products and trade terms, list all needed shipping documents.

7 Transportation and Customs clearance. Your forwarder and Customs broker should take care of your transportation and Customs clearance. However, you also need to track the process and assistance, such as providing additional products information and endorsing bill of landing. You need to issue a power of attorney to your broker and purchase Customs bond for your importation.

8 Receive the products and keep the records. Now you can go to your next step to sell your products and make profit. Now you are on the track.
Note: A factory audit or Preshipment Inspection is very important if your order is a bit large. Please visitMod Edit: Links Removed for service details.

[greedyboy]

Good article. But as soon as I started reading it I knw there would be link/advert somewhere

Although information is good. I bet this article has been copy and pasted in 100's of places over the internet. Hardly personal, just an 'info commercial'.

[k1983525]

Oh. What a paity it's just a copy article. But it's a good article. What do you think greedboy.

[denislbg]

Sounds pretty good , but practice is too difficult !! Most time we know what we need to do , but how ? how is very important . Deal with factories need lots of communication, need QC during production, not only before shipments , once you find big problems then it is too late .......

[jewelelegance]

There is no doubt that the article is indeed informative,but will someone please tell me as to why I am seeing the same or related posts every where.Undoubtedly China is emerging as a hot brand market but does that mean jewelery suppliers from the US or UK are becoming extinct???