Posts by Ryan Kelly3

Jacob Watson3 said:Hello everyone. I’ve been doing some digging lately regarding importing goods from China, but I have quite a few unanswered questions. I decided to post here to see if anyone could lend a hand.

I’m working full-time and have managed to save up some capital. My plan is to purchase a piece of machinery from China—perhaps a mini excavator, a forklift, or something similar. I intend to use it personally, but I also want to list it for sale to generate some extra income on the side.
I am trying to wrap my head around how the import process actually works. I’ve received some quotes from manufacturers that include shipping costs to the Port of Cleveland for around $1,400, but now I’m wondering about the logistics. How does customs brokerage work? What are the implications for customs duties and sales tax? Do I need to establish an LLC or a formal business entity for this? I might be forgetting other crucial details, so please feel free to chime in if there is anything else I should consider. Thanks in advance for the help.

Shoot me a DM

You could take a look for yourself—Google has plenty of info if you just type in " imports from China "
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Andrew Ward8 said:Yeah, I hear you, and I totally agree—that’s the end goal. But right now, I’m just trying to scrape together some budget gear as I can before I actually launch anything. If I don't, everything hits me at once, and since I'm starting from scratch, I can't exactly jump into the deep end without even having the basics.

So my question hasn't changed: when DHL moves packages, do they go through Customs inspection, or do they just drop them straight at the customer's door? And honestly, is there any legal way to "sidestep" paying customs duties and taxes?

To answer your question—there is no legal way to "bypass" customs and taxes, which is exactly why I'm telling you this... if you actually want to make this a serious venture, you really ought to study the fundamentals of trade and how the business world operates—it'll save you a lot of headaches down the road.

FedEx is honestly the worst option here; sure, they're fast and they're expensive, but everything gets flagged for customs.
Ask your supplier in China what the price is for DDP terms—basically, a door-to-door service.
Sometimes suppliers in China partner with major companies in Europe that already have your product in stock... so, a little tip for someone just starting out: ask the supplier if you can just buy it directly from one of their European customers. 🙂

Andrew Ward8 said:Hey,

I’m looking to start pulling together some gear for an electronics and phone repair setup. We're talking equipment weighing anywhere from 20 to 110 lbs, with price tags ranging from $100 to over $1,000. I wanted to see if anyone here has experience ordering this kind of stuff. If I go through FedEx, am I going to get hit with customs fees and all that other nonsense, or is it smooth sailing?

I’ve ordered from China plenty of times—both big hauls and small bits—and usually, things breeze right through customs. I even managed to snag an inverter for about $900 without paying any extra duties, and FedEx just dropped it off. But then I read these horror stories from people getting absolutely hammered by customs fees, so now I’m second-guessing everything.

Since I’m still a student, my main goal is to keep costs down. I really don't have the budget to deal with expensive agents or middlemen unless using one actually saves me money compared to just doing it myself.

Look, whether you're a student or not doesn't really change the reality of the situation—you need to get your facts straight first.
If you want to do anything serious with this, you’re going to need a business entity set up properly.

I honestly think it’s best to just go with a commercial import agent—generally speaking. There are plenty of them operating here in the States, and since we deal with this side of the business ourselves, I know how much of a headache it can be... It’s usually worth it.
Just type it into Google... Importing from China... it’s a whole different beast than people realize. Everyone thinks it's just clicking a button on a screen and waiting for a box to show up on their porch, but once you actually dive into the logistics—the sheer scale of it—you start to see how complicated the supply chain really gets. It’s not just about finding a manufacturer; it's about navigating the red tape, the shipping delays, and that constant, nagging feeling that you might be getting a batch of products that don't quite meet the specs you agreed upon... if you're lucky. You have to be incredibly careful with quality control. If you aren't on the ground there—or at least working with someone who is—you're essentially flying blind. And don't even get me started on the customs issues... one wrong paperwork move and your entire shipment is sitting in a warehouse somewhere while the fees pile up. It requires a certain level of grit... and maybe a bit of cynicism, too.Look, there are plenty of agents out there—just a little word of advice... 🙂

If you’re running into roadblocks, we handle the whole thing—end-to-end services, really. You'll automatically get a breakdown of several different tiers, so you can pick whatever fits your needs... whether you just want a specific product quality level or if you need the full white-glove treatment, including customs clearance and direct delivery right to your doorstep.

If you find yourself stuck somewhere along the line, don't hesitate to reach out. Best,