How to import from China?

As market competition intensifies, more and more businesses aim to import goods directly from China to boost their brand and price competitiveness. However, many are unsure where to start due to a lack of import experience. This article provides a detailed guide on importing goods from China to help you navigate the process smoothly.

Understand Import Policies and Regulations

First, you need to understand your local import policies. Determine if the product you plan to import has any import restrictions and if an import license is required. Since policies vary by country, we advise you to ask your local customs or an agent for relevant information. For example, in Algeria, certain products require a sales permit in advance.

Finding Reliable Suppliers

Finding suppliers is now very convenient. You can locate reliable Chinese suppliers through the following channels:

1. Google Search:   Use relevant keywords to search for suppliers on Google.
2. Social Media Platforms: Search product keywords on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, and you’ll find many Chinese suppliers.
3. E-commerce Platforms: Platforms such as Alibaba and Made in China have many suppliers.
4. Trade Shows: Meet Chinese suppliers face-to-face at the Canton Fair or other industry trade shows. Additionally, as more Chinese companies participate in overseas trade shows, you can also find suitable suppliers at local industry events.
5. Import Databases: If you have access to import databases or know which suppliers your peers use, you can directly contact these suppliers, saving the time needed for selection.

Contacting Suppliers and Finalizing Details

Once you identify potential suppliers, you need to contact them to understand product prices, payment methods, and shipping methods. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Request a Quote: Contact suppliers to determine the quantity of purchase orders, allowing them to accurately calculate the number of items, weight, and volume, thus estimating sea freight, customs clearance fees, and tariffs to calculate the final product cost.
2. Discuss Details: If the import costs are favorable, further discuss product specifications, models, quality certificates, and other details. If necessary, request samples. Once the order is confirmed, arrange for prepayment, production, final payment, and shipment.

Choosing the Right Freight Forwarder

For products like lifting tools that are typically shipped by sea, you need a freight forwarder. Common international trade terms include FOB, CIF, and CFR. Generally, arranging your own destination port agent offers a price advantage, which is why most customers choose FOB. However, CIF and CFR are more convenient, as the supplier arranges the shipping directly to the port, and you only need to handle customs clearance and pickup.  

If you choose FOB, sometimes finding a reliable freight forwarder is even more important than finding a supplier. We once had a client from the Middle East who encountered issues with their chosen forwarder. The forwarder failed to pay the shipping company, and several containers arrived at the port but could not be cleared, causing significant frustration. Transferring USD from the Middle East to China takes time, along with bank verification, which can take 1-2 weeks. The shipping company will not release the goods until they receive the payment. Ultimately, the client had to bear the cost of several days of demurrage fees.

By the way, maybe your local different ports have different policies. Some ports are strict and stock. Some are flexible. So that is important to know this and choose the right destination port.

Shipping and Customs Clearance

After contacting the freight forwarder, the remaining steps include waiting for the goods to arrive at the port, customs clearance, pickup, and inspection. 

Pay attention to the following points:

• Legal Considerations: Be aware of intellectual property laws to avoid importing counterfeit products.
• Currency Exchange: Monitor exchange rates to manage costs effectively.
• Pay attention to changes in raw material and shipping costs to better plan your import timing. This can help save on overall costs.
• Cultural Understanding: Understanding Chinese business culture can help in negotiations and building long-term relationships with suppliers.

Conclusion

Importing goods directly from China can significantly enhance your brand and price competitiveness, but it requires thorough preparation. If you are an importer of lifting tools, feel free to contact us. Liftpand‘s philosophy is “factory direct sales, wholesale price even for one unit,” with no minimum order quantity. We hope this article helps you smoothly start your import business.