Posts by wiredcrane13

I should probably point out a few things here:

Even if you have free shipping, please keep in mind that sales tax is calculated based on the value of the goods plus the shipping cost—which is determined by the airline's standard rates—if the total value exceeds $100.

This specific practice applies strictly to air freight.

Bryan Chase37 said:If you go through FedEx, it’s generally cheaper if the Chinese suppliers handle the export themselves, since those export rates are typically lower than what you'd pay for imports. But in your specific case, since you mentioned the shipping is free, that shouldn't be much of a concern for you.
However, you absolutely will have to deal with the import side once it hits the States. You'll be looking at $33 for the Customs Bond Fee
and $10 for Processing Fees
plus a 25% tax on those two items, which totals $11
and then, of course, you have to factor in the standard sales tax based on the value of the goods.

The cost is entirely dependent on which agent you hire and which incoterms you settle on.
The path of least resistance is always letting the seller handle the heavy lifting: export, insurance, loading, transit, unloading, and delivery, leaving you to deal solely with the import side. That said, you might find a better deal if you manage some of those logistics locally here in the US.

Air freight is obviously the fastest route. Carriers like FedEx or TNT almost exclusively use planes for these types of shipments. Of course, air is also going to be the most expensive way to move anything.

Look, if you want to run into trouble, just go ahead and declare your goods at some random customs office—that’s a quick way to get flagged by an inspector. The Port of Los Angeles doesn't actually handle the clearance process itself; that falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the specific customs station... so I honestly don't see why these Filipino operators would be causing issues over something like that.
Generally speaking, the standard procedure is to clear your cargo either where you are located or at the nearest available customs facility.

Dennis Scott77 said:Thanks.

I don't quite grasp why everyone insists that customs shouldn't be handled at the port in Savannah? Apparently, the new owners of the container terminal are some group from the Philippines who are incredibly strict about compliance? Everyone seems to be advising that one should clear customs elsewhere instead.

What does that even entail? If a vessel carrying my cargo docks in Savannah, am I supposed to somehow direct the customs processing to a different city?

Your best bet would be to set up express shipping through TNT—there’s a company called Intime here in the States that offers some of the most competitive rates for American customers. You could reach out to them directly and coordinate a pickup straight from China.
Alternatively, you might just tell your Chinese suppliers to handle the logistics on their end... sometimes that ends up being quite a bit cheaper.

Megan Kelly412 said:Hey there,

I’ve got my heart set on something specific from China—I know exactly what I’m looking for, I know which supplier over there holds the goods, and I’ve already crunched the numbers on the price. We’re talking about a package roughly the size of a sturdy shoebox, if you want to visualize it.

The catch is, I need this delivered straight to me here in Washington, D.C., and frankly, I haven't the slightest clue how to navigate the import logistics without losing my mind.

If anyone out there has the connections or knows how to organize getting something like this shipped into the States, please shoot me a DM.
We can hash out the details via phone or email once we connect.

Thanks!

I'm looking to get this moving as soon as humanly possible.

Typically, clearing general merchandise takes about a single day... though, honestly, everything just depends on what specific type of goods you're bringing in.
For instance—if you're importing toys and they don't have the proper safety certifications, they'll have to undergo heavy metal testing. Food products are an entirely different beast altogether, etc.
If the shipment requires specialized testing, you actually have the option to pick up the goods first and request the sanitary inspection afterward—though, obviously, you can't move those items into retail sales until you have the official green light from the health inspectors.

Dennis Scott77 said:It seems some people here have experience with importing from China, so I have a question regarding the process:
When exactly does the sanitary inspection take place? Does the container need to remain at the port while the inspectors do their work, or are we able to pick up the goods beforehand? I’ve heard that a sanitary inspection can drag on for up to a week, and container storage fees are charged on a daily basis.

Honestly, you hit the nail right on the head... everything you said was spot on.

Jessica Gomez19 said:I have spent so much time reading through these various comments that I felt compelled to register just so I could weigh in. I don’t want to sound like a know-it-all, but I really feel the need to address those people posting things like, "I’ve been working with China for 5 or 6 years now," or "I have my own network of agents over there," or "I did this" and "I did that." Please, stop trying to act superior on this forum and spreading misinformation or half-truths to others.
To actually succeed when doing business with China, you need a significant amount of specialized knowledge, real experience, and a decent amount of capital.

I understand why people are interested in this topic and are searching for answers, but the self-proclaimed experts really bother me. They seem to think they are high-level executives just because they managed to import a few containers once or worked for a single company that sources goods from China.

To ensure I don't fall into that same trap of sounding arrogant, I believe my 24 years of experience in the China trade gives me the standing to offer some perspective.

Best regards to everyone!

I’ve managed production logistics over in China before—not specifically electronics, mind you, but I’m certainly no stranger to the complexities of overseas manufacturing. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to chat about it.

Jesse Hughes5 said:So, I wanted to pivot slightly here and ask something a bit different than just the usual talk about importing stuff from China.

Basically... I’ve got this idea—well, more like a specific device concept—where I already know the technical specs and how it should work, and I’m looking to have them manufacture it over there to keep my overhead low.

Has anyone here actually pulled something like that off?
I mean, you basically pitch the concept to them, and they build the hardware based on those specs, right?
Could someone point me in the right direction regarding who I should actually reach out to via email to get a conversation started?
Since I’m not just looking to buy some off-the-shelf gadget, I’m thinking I really need to find a direct line to a factory. We're talking high-level stuff here, like complex electronic circuits, processors, and all that gear.
In a nutshell, I’m looking for a quote on a finished product solution—and maybe even a prototype or a demo unit first—but since I'm new to this, I have no clue who the right contact person would be.

If everything goes smoothly and I'm happy with the quality, the plan would be to scale up production big time.

Any advice at all?
I’d really appreciate any tips, or if anyone here has tried to develop something similar from the ground up.

Thx

So, here’s how it is... my experiences with this forum up to this point...

There is honestly no point in trying to help anyone.... most people posting here are just clueless, and those looking for specific advice are incredibly unserious about their business goals....

I mean, seriously—do you all actually believe that by ordering maybe 1 to 100 units of something—no matter how massive that feels to you right now—you can somehow dictate pricing or terms when dealing with suppliers in China? I have to ask... where exactly is your head at?

I have wasted so much precious time dealing with unserious individuals on this forum... it has reached the point where it isn't even funny anymore.

Take, for instance... Case Number 1... this gentleman... he’s just starting a small service-based business in the tourism sector... he wants certain goods... and he seems to think they’ll magically arrive from China tomorrow (via teleportation? and for free, naturally)... meanwhile, he hasn't even secured a rental space or officially registered his business... yet he’s already demanding discounts on Chinese imports..... I mean, really... (yes, I am talking about you!)

Case Number 2... this gentleman... he imports raw materials for his production line... "Made in America"... though, of course, the raw material comes from China... we are talking about tomato puree... which ends up being sold at Walmart..... after two months of back-and-forth communication and a meeting at his facility in Boise (yes, you!) I went out of my way to be helpful and even paid for the shipping of samples from China out of my own pocket—about $3,000-$1333... and of course, nothing ever came of the deal, and don't even get me started on the debt... the guy even broke his leg and stopped answering his phone, claiming he'd pay "tomorrow," and so on... he seemed like a legitimate professional at first... but there I was, having been burned.....

And I could go on forever!!

So that is the Heritage Foundation, entrepreneurship, and the rest of these Smiths!

If there are any actual serious professionals left in this group... I would ask only them to reach out to me...

wiredcrane13 said:I am currently in the process of importing some mobile units for a colleague... please reach out if you need any assistance navigating this... and I'll say it again... it is much better if we coordinate our own shipping from the States rather than leaving it in the hands of those Chinese suppliers.

I am currently in the process of importing some mobile units for a colleague... please reach out if you need any assistance navigating this... and I'll say it again... it is much better if we coordinate our own shipping from the States rather than leaving it in the hands of those Chinese suppliers.

restlesstiger47 said:Hey there,
I'm looking into ordering some mobile units from China. Everything looks straightforward on their website, and they'll handle the ocean freight.
The total value of the shipment is roughly $6667, and I’d be running this through my business. Does that mean I can claim a tax refund, and does anyone know what a typical shipping agent might charge for these services?
Also, any idea how long things usually sit at customs while the paperwork gets sorted out?

It really depends on which manufacturer you're dealing with... some will throw in samples for free, sure, but they almost never cover the shipping costs!

Bradley Wilson5 said:I haven't heard of anyone giving out free samples yet. Most of them just tell you that if you stick with them and start placing larger orders, they'll credit the cost of those initial samples toward your first big shipment. That's basically how it works...

The air express shipping will run you about $100... If you want to send me a private message, I might be able to help you navigate the whole import process. Especially if this is your first time bringing goods into the States and you aren't quite sure what to expect—I can help you map out all the potential costs beforehand, vet the company, and perhaps even help you negotiate much better pricing...

swiftmaker18 said:Hey everyone,
I could use some advice here. I'm looking to import my first shipment from China and found a supplier.
We settled on a price, but a buddy of mine suggested I request samples first to make sure this isn't some scam outfit.
So, I asked for samples. They said fine, but now they want $100 for just 1.1kg of goods, or
they want my freight forwarder's info—which I don't even have yet. What should I do? Paying $100 for 1.1kg
seems like a total joke to me. I honestly thought if they were actually serious about doing business, they'd cover the sample costs themselves.

Per kilo... though honestly, your best bet would be to reach out to one of your freight forwarders directly regarding those latest rates.

hiddentiger8 said:I'm looking to import about 20 boxes—roughly 2 cubic meters of space—all the way from China. It's just packaging bags for Dekai pillows. Total weight is around 500kg. But I'm totally lost on this air freight pricing everyone's talking about. Is it $2-$4 per kilo or what exactly?

How many cubic meters does that 500kg represent? You really only have two paths here: air cargo or sea freight (LCL).
Generally speaking, if you're looking at 500kg via air cargo—assuming it stays under 1 cubic meter—you're looking at roughly $2-$4 per kilo... though that fluctuates quite a bit depending on the origin and destination. Personally, I often aim for arrival at airports near Washington, D.C. or even further out, because shipping costs can be significantly lower than flying directly into the local hub—and then I just arrange transport through Walmart or other domestic carriers to get it delivered within the States. Just a heads-up, though: when you ship by air, the freight cost gets rolled into the total value of the goods, which means both the item price and the shipping cost are subject to customs duties and sales tax. So, with sea freight, it's (item price * duty * tax), whereas with air, it becomes (item price + shipping) * duty * tax... it adds up.
And I really can't stress this enough: be extremely careful with LCL shipments organized directly by Chinese people.

Ryan Price11 said:Hey there! I'm looking to import about 1,100 lbs of heavy cargo from China.
Is shipping by sea my only real option? An agent told me it takes about 38 days...
Or is there a faster way that won't totally break the bank?
If anyone has some insider info, I'd really appreciate it...

I can certainly give you a hand with the import process... just shoot me a private message if you want to chat about it.

neoncyclist6 said:Yeah, I figured there was a catch once they started pushing their own freight forwarding on me... I have a contact over at FedEx, though. Has anyone used them before? Any experiences?

I worked with them quite a while back... if you're looking at LCL shipments coming out of New York City, I’d definitely suggest going with FedEx rather than anyone else.

neoncyclist6 said:Yeah, I figured there was a catch once they started pushing their own freight forwarding on me... I have a contact over at FedEx, though. Has anyone used them before? Any experiences?

Greetings,

I have some prior experience working with this particular outfit—though, unfortunately, we weren't able to finalize an agreement in the end. If you're looking for a bit of guidance through the process, please feel free to reach out... I might be able to help you navigate it. Based on what you've described, are we talking about an electric-assisted pedicab?

Anthony Bennett6 said:I’m planning on bringing in four forklifts from this supplier http://www.jm-yetong.com/en/index.asp

We’ve gone back and forth quite a bit... honestly, they’re getting a little annoying with how many emails they send...

Is there any way to verify if this is a legitimate company?

It bugs me a little that they’re asking for the full amount upfront...

A word of caution regarding those cheap LCL shipments organized directly out of China—be careful. One of my business partners just got hit with a US import service fee of a staggering $1,000 for a "budget" 15cbm shipment that was quoted at only $420. It honestly feels like some kind of predatory shakedown... I’d strongly suggest arranging your logistics through an American provider instead. It might seem a bit more expensive upfront, but in the long run...

neoncyclist6 said:Hey everyone,

I’m wondering how much I actually need those quality control agents, and which freight forwarders are best when importing from China. I’ve been talking to a manufacturer about some tents, and we’ve pretty much nailed down all the specs. Now we’re at the stage where I need to drop a 30% deposit to seal the deal. Since they aren't offering any guarantees beyond their basic business license, how can I protect myself from getting ripped off on shipping and extra fees? They quoted me $180 total for transport since the container size is 4.0 cbm. The goods would be coming from New York City and heading to Cleveland...

Thanks so much for the help🙂

Best,

I'm looking at using an express service—something like FedEx or DHL—for shipments under 50kg.

Kenneth Rodriguez7 said:I decided to pass on those guys because they turned out to be nothing but scammers. Honestly, knowing how things work here with customs and all those potential extra fees and headaches, it would end up costing me at least twice as much. It just isn't worth the hassle to order heavy items unless you're bringing in an entire shipping container.

Regardless, I’m still planning to order about 4 or 5 pounds of some other essentials that I desperately need since they cost ten times more here in the States. I'll be using air freight, so I was hoping someone could point me toward which companies offer reliable air shipping and what their typical rates per pound look like.

Under US law, private individuals aren't permitted to receive commercial samples directly.
Trying to coordinate a single LCL shipment containing various goods from multiple different suppliers is going to be a logistical nightmare—and quite expensive, too. For instance, domestic companies here in the States are looking at roughly $7 per kg for air freight, or about $100 per cubic meter/ton for sea freight. If you’re thinking it might be more cost-effective to route everything through Chinese suppliers, I wouldn't count on it... those quotes often omit several critical fees, such as export customs clearance and the mountain of paperwork required for small batches—costs that end up eating a massive chunk of your margin when compared to the total value of the goods.
Shoot me a PM if you want, and I can help get all of this organized for you.

Best regards,

Kenneth Rodriguez7 said:Hi there,

I have a few questions I'm hoping you can help me with. Is it actually possible for an individual to order several different items from China using LCL? Also, could anyone recommend a reliable Chinese company specializing in FedEx that offers the most competitive rates? I’m looking to pull together a variety of goods—specifically tents, water pumps, and some plastic items—totaling about 100kg and under 1 m3. Based on those specs, what would the typical cost look like for Sky versus Ocean freight? I've been browsing Alibaba and seeing air freight around $5/kg and ocean freight at roughly $50/m3, so I'm curious if there are more affordable, trustworthy companies out there that you personally use. Additionally, what kind of fees should I expect for having a provider in China consolidate my items from three different factories before shipping them out?

My main priority is figuring out exactly what steps to take to avoid any headaches at US Customs. Regarding payments, is a standard bank transfer the way to go, or is PayPal a viable option? I was told that one of the most critical documents is the bill of lading sent via DHL or a similar courier, and without it, the shipment can't be cleared. Does this rule apply strictly to Ocean freight, or is it just as vital for Sky shipments? To put it simply, I'd love a checklist of everything I need to gather to ensure a smooth process and a clear idea of the total costs involved.

One more thing: since I don't operate under a business entity, I've heard rumors that individuals aren't allowed to receive samples. If I'm requesting a single item from a factory that falls below the MOQ, how is that merchandise typically declared?

Guangzhou is really the gold standard when it comes to textiles—you just can't beat the balance of quality and cost there, especially with all those massive wholesale hubs. If you're looking for cheap electronics or tech gadgets, then Shenzhen is more your scene. But, if your goal is to find the widest variety of budget-friendly goods—the kind of stuff you see at local flea markets or discount stores—then honestly, you should head straight to Yiwu.

If you end up heading out to source some apparel, let me know... I have a few connections over here. Personally, I find it quite difficult to track down Chinese suppliers who truly grasp the specific aesthetic tastes we Americans tend to favor—maybe we could even work something out together...

electricmarlin4 said:Hey everyone. electricmarlin4 here from Mexico, sending big love to all my fellow Americans. I’ve been hanging out on this forum for quite a while now, and honestly, you guys always come through with the best intel and deals—huge props to the community. 🙂

Anyway, I wanted to jump in, share what I’ve been seeing on the ground, and pick your brains on a few things.

Right now, I’m hanging out in Beijing. I came out here to visit a buddy who’s been living here for seven years; part of the trip is just sightseeing, but I also came with the hope of figuring out a way to make some quick cash.

My friend actually got into importing stuff back in the day and built some solid connections here in Beijing, eventually becoming a citizen and opening his own restaurant right in the heart of the city. He eventually moved away from the import business. Looking back, his old importing gig lost its edge because Beijing has turned into such an elite, upscale place. Prices here are starting to look a lot like Western prices, and even the quality of Chinese goods has shot up significantly.

I actually found myself falling for this Burberry jacket—it’s clearly a knockoff, but honestly, even someone with a real eye for fashion wouldn't catch it. And the price? Only about $30 (270 yuan), so I grabbed it on the spot.

But there’s the catch—that ultra-cheap, bargain-basement stuff just isn't around anymore. It seems like us Americans have this specific mindset where we either want the absolute cheapest thing possible or we want high-end luxury; there’s nothing really in the middle. I bet my fellow Americans feel the exact same way when it comes to shopping.

The math just doesn't work for me. I can't pick up jackets, jeans, or hoodies here for $20 and then try to flip them back home in the States for $40 or $50 without paperwork and still make enough to cover my flight.

On the flip side, if you go to a neighborhood like Chicago, you can find Chinese wholesale markets where everything is incredibly cheap. A few months ago, I picked up some Air Max sneakers there—just for the nostalgia—and they were so good I couldn't tell they weren't originals, and they only cost me about $12.

So, being here in Beijing, I’m sitting here wondering: how is it that I can't find the kind of inventory I could actually sell back in the US, even though the locals who import stuff can make a killing? How can I not find those same prices I see in places like Chicago??

While staying here in Beijing, I ran into a group of tourists at the hotel across from our residence—a couple of Russians, one American, and two Mexicans. We sat down for coffee, and they filled me in.

They told me that the kind of stuff I'm looking for—that super budget-friendly clothing and tech—is actually located in

Shenzhen.

Beijing definitely isn't the hub for importing cheap Chinese goods to the West anymore. I’m feeling a little let down because I really thought I could turn a profit, especially since I brought $5,000 USD with me thinking I could stock up on something.

Now I’m stuck in a dilemma: should I even bother buying anything to try and resell in the US, since I can't even hit a 1:2 profit margin?

After thinking it over, I’ve made a decision.

I’m going to head to Shenzhen to hunt for goods. Here are my questions:

1. Is it true that Shenzhen has the cheapest goods and carries that mass-market inventory (clothes, electronics, etc.) that everyone buys?

2. Can someone show up in Shenzhen with a decent amount of cash (maybe $10k–$15k) and just shop around on the spot to decide what to bring back to the States?

3. Are there actual wholesale hubs or showrooms in that city? Is it easier to find them there compared to Beijing?

4. Do people in Shenzhen speak better English than they do in Beijing?

5. Do you guys have any tips or advice for me, even for while I'm still stuck here in Beijing?

Thanks a ton in advance. I’m a bit stressed because I recently lost my job back home and was really hoping this trip would open up some opportunities—maybe even some side hustling—but instead, I just realized that Beijing has basically transformed into this massive, Westernized Chinese metropolis.

Feel free to reach out to me directly if you need guidance.

Jeffrey Martinez9 said:Importing goods from China?? Anyone know how to actually get started or who I should be talking to?