1. Understanding Your Role

When you buy products from other countries such as China, you are considered an importer. You only need to give your supplier the address and they’ll do the rest. It is likely that the shipment will arrive via air or sea shipping.

You will receive smaller packages of lesser value. You won’t need to go to the nearest shipping shop and pick up your packages.

2. Find Good Products

Chinese factories produce a great deal of good products, but they also produce a large number of poor products.

Many Chinese suppliers sell low-quality, cheap products. These products must be avoided, especially if they are going to be resold to your clients.

You should be able to tell the difference between good and bad products in China and Western countries by two key differences:

• China’s quality standards are different from those of the West.
• China follows a different set of norms in relation to intellectual property. There are many counterfeit products

Purchase only high-quality products that you can resell. This is the only way your business can grow.

3. Check your country’s import laws

Be sure that you can import the product into your country before you buy it. Certain countries restrict the import of certain products.

You may be fined if you import any of these items. The government may fine you as well.

4. Find the classification number of the product (HS CODE).

Each imported item has its own tariff number, which is 10 digits in length. Tariff classification numbers and Certificates of Origin are required to calculate the duty rate, an import fee that you will have to pay. Calculating the land cost is also necessary.

Incoterms is a very important aspect to pay attention to. Make sure you calculate the landed costs before you send your order to the vendor.

Add together the price of the product, the Chinese shipping costs, the customs clearance fees, the land transport costs and the Duty & Tax cost to find the FOB rate.

5. Find the Chinese supplier

Find a supplier that can fill your order if you already know what products you’d like to purchase in bulk. 

But it is difficult to find Chinese supplier,no matter,here are Top 20 Best China Wholesale Suppliers List for you.

6. Calculate your total shipping costs

There are many fees associated with international shipments. You also have to pay for container fees, brokerage fees, packaging costs and terminal handling charges.

You should add up all of these fees to get an idea of your shipping costs. Learn how to ship from China into the US.

You should request the following documents before you make your shipment. You will need these documents to clear customs.

• Commercial Invoice– The declared value for your products
• A packing list Size, weight and quantity
• A Detail sheet – Outlines the manufacturing process so that customs can classify the product.
• Bill Of Lading– A legal document that details the type, quantity and destination of the goods to be transported.

Ocean shipping can be a real headache, but it is worth the hassle. You can save up to 5-6 times more by shipping by sea than you would by air if you were importing large quantities.

You can ship Chinese wholesale merchandise in 6 different ways:

• 1. Air express
• 2. Air Freight (DDP)
• 3. Post Regular
• 4. Ocean expedited Freight (DDP).
• 5. Ocean freight (FCL/LCL)
• 6. Train (DDP).

7. Placing the order and implementing quality control methods.

This is a guide on how to place an order in China and implement quality assurance methods:

Placing an Order:

Finalize the contract: Make sure that your contract clearly states:

• Specifications and tolerances for products
• Quantity of orders and delivery schedule
• Terms of Payment (including possible quality control holdbacks).
• Inspection procedures and rights
• Purchase Order: You must issue a formal order for the contract.

Quality control methods:

Pre Production Inspection (PPI): Send or hire an inspector to assess the manufacturing capabilities of your product.

Production plan and material approval Sample Approval : Request a sample of the production and have it thoroughly checked against your specifications.

8. Track your shipment

International shipments are not going to arrive quickly. You may not receive your shipment until about 30 days if you live on the East Coast. On the West Coast it takes only about 13 days.

Save all freight documents, including the commercial invoice and packing list, as well as the bill-of-lading. This documentation can help you understand the customs clearing process your shipment will undergo after it reaches your country.

Your customs broker can accept your shipment at the facility. After customs has cleared your shipment, if there are no discrepancies in the paperwork, it should be ready for pickup. Your shipment will arrive at the address you provided initially for smaller orders.

6 Tips on Bulk Purchases from China

1. Do not always choose the cheapest products.

Priced too low, products are likely to be bad. You should be suspicious if you do not see many other vendors offering similar products at the same price. It is important to buy quality products, even if they cost a bit more.

2. Explain your specifications to the Supplier.

Before anything is shipped, you should discuss any specific needs or requirements you may have with the supplier. You may end up with materials or products that you didn’t want.

3. Do not act suspicious of the supplier upfront

Try to communicate with new suppliers with respect and trust. Do not be rude or suspicious if the supplier hasn’t done any wrong. It is important to maintain a positive relationship with your supplier in order for them to treat your products well, and provide you with high-quality support.

4. Verify FOB terms

Verify that the supplier is willing to accept FOB terms for their nearest airport or port. You will save money on shipping and have more control over the shipment if you do.

5. Shipping Times

Shipping products across the ocean can take a lot of time. Plan for shipping times of up to 30 day. It could take up to seven days for the supplier just to prepare documentation, ship and clear the product through customs.

6. Commercial Import Regulations

Import regulations only apply if you import products for commercial or resale purposes. Customs authorities have the final say on whether a shipment was for personal use or not. They will examine the package and assess the shipment. They might think it is for business use if they see the products in the packaging. Import regulations would then apply.