The Wholesale Forums

[rich1982]

Hey Guys,

I'm about to start a business based on retailing imported goods from China, and have no experience in the area.

I'm aware that i can get a shipping agent to to bring the supplies direct to my house, and cover all relevant charges for which i reimburse them. Is this how it works?

If so does anyone know any shipping agents and approx costs?

Cheers!

Rich

[AndrewLX]

The costs will depend on a whole range of things including:

• the value of the goods,
• the tariff code,
• the weight of the goods,
• how they are packed,
• the incoterms of your contract, (e.g. are you paying to pick it up from their warehouse, pay insurance?)
• will they be packed in full containers
• the distance between the port to your delivery address
• the type of vehicle used to deliver to your door

I suspect that someone will be able to provide you a link. But I think the above covers the basics.

If you have an idea of the above (don't worry too much about the tariff code if you can't find it or your supplier can't advise it, a good shipping agent will be able to help you), effectively you can give the info out and start getting quotes.

[bdehaan]

Just remember to get a number of quotes and only use people that have been i nbusiness for a while - lots of sharks out there!

[ShippingDude]

Originally Posted by rich1982

Hey Guys,

I'm about to start a business based on retailing imported goods from China, and have no experience in the area.

I'm aware that i can get a shipping agent to to bring the supplies direct to my house, and cover all relevant charges for which i reimburse them. Is this how it works?

If so does anyone know any shipping agents and approx costs?

Cheers!

Rich

Depending on your volume and what you mean by "shipping agents", I have seen a large growth in small business owners choosing to have a 3PL or 3rd Party Logistics provider handle their inventory and stock from port China to customer's doors. Most forwarders handle 3PL services nowandays, as well as independent 3PL companies.