Importing from China

Does anyone here actually have some real-world experience with importing stuff from China—specifically, how to actually deal with Chinese people without getting completely burned?

What exactly can I help you with? I’ve been navigating this market for nearly three years now, so I have a decent handle on how things move.

First off, thanks for reaching out. I’m seriously considering starting to import some goods from China. But honestly? I'm feeling pretty lost here. 1. I have no clue if it’s actually necessary to fly over there to see them in person—I mean, how reliable are these suppliers really?
2. What kind of budget am I looking at for the trip, and who even handles the logistics? Is there some sort of standard playbook for this, or am I just winging it? I need to know about flights, where to stay, how long I should be on the ground, and any other "must-know" details that might trip me up.
3. And what about the etiquette? Are there specific rules of conduct I should follow when doing business there? I’ve heard some rumors—maybe they're wrong, but still...

The truth is, I don't know anything. I'm a total novice and, frankly, I'm terrified of screwing this up. Imagine paying for a massive shipment only to have nothing show up at my door—or worse, getting something completely different than what was promised.

Any bit of info you can throw my way would be worth its weight in gold. Also, is there anyone else here with actual boots-on-the-ground experience? Please, I'm begging you, help a person out!

If you’re doing business with China, you’ll most likely be importing goods by the container load. You absolutely need to have a local agent on the ground over there to inspect everything for you; otherwise, you could very easily end up receiving something completely different from what you actually ordered.

Anyway, try to do some digging and reach out to the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. They might be able to point you in the right direction with some specific leads.

I think they call that kind of agent a 'surveyor' (not sure if I'm spelling that right in English). And yeah, you've got plenty of surveying firms all over the States.

Hi there,
I have nothing to do with China, though I’m sure you all are well aware of that. I run an LLC that handles import-export, and I’m looking into sourcing some jewelry from Germany. I have a couple of questions regarding the process.
1. DO I NEED AN EIN OR A CUSTOMS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER? (Some people say yes, others say no—apparently, the regulations have been shifting lately.)
2. HOW DOES THIS ACTUALLY WORK? (If I head over to Germany to pick up stock, what kind of documentation am I going to need?)

Thanks in advance!!
GG

Thanks to everyone for the intel. Honestly, I always handle things through carriers—it’s just easier that way. You basically just get a quote or a pro forma invoice from the German suppliers, then you settle up using a standard wire transfer (though, if you want to be safe, it’s probably best to just sit down with a representative at your local Chase branch to make sure everything clears properly). Once that's set, either the carrier picks up the goods or you head over to Germany yourself to grab them. You haul it to the border where you'll need to deal with customs—which means you absolutely have to find a reliable freight forwarder. That forwarder handles all the paperwork—gets your tax ID and customs info sorted—and then you can finally bring the goods home. (I’m actually not entirely sure if the process changes if you’re running the transport yourself—like, do you still have to drop everything off at a bonded warehouse or what? It's one of those grey areas.) Regardless, you really need to track down a solid freight forwarder; they'll walk you through the whole headache. 👍

:-) Thanks for the input!
So, does this mean I'll definitely need to hire a freight forwarder?

I’m also curious about the import side of things (doesn't necessarily have to be from China).
Let's say I already have a business set up.
What does the actual process look like when you bring goods into the country?
Are there specific quotas on certain items—like, how much of a product can you actually bring in before hitting a wall?
I'd be looking at importing electrical components. Semi-finished products.

I feel the exact same way! Say you’re running an import-export business—what would be the next move?

Until Markowski finally decides to show his face—and he better, seriously, please!—is there really nobody else here who actually imports from China and knows the ropes of how this whole thing works?

I don't deal with Chinese companies directly, but when it comes to importing, everything hinges on what you’re actually bringing in. If you're talking food products, you'll need phytosanitary certifications, and expect your cargo to be scrutinized by both FDA and USDA inspectors.

For technical hardware, you're looking at various certifications and compliance tests; if it's weaponry, you'll need specific federal permits—though smuggling living people is a different kind of headache entirely...

The customs code you're looking for is likely the HS number or a tariff code. In the States, we generally just refer to them as tariff classifications... a quick Google search on the subject should yield plenty of results regarding the current schedules...

Someone has already laid out the basic procedure for you...

Wait, aren't the Chinese setting up the Port of Savannah to be some massive future warehouse for all their goods in the States? I think I saw it on CNN or something recently.

Before I even start importing anything from China, I’d double-check this. It’s entirely possible that pretty soon, the exact same stuff sitting in a warehouse in Savannah will be cheaper than whatever I try to "import" myself.

Jerry Moore2 said:Before you even think about importing from China, I’d run the numbers. You might find that the exact same stock sitting right there in a local bar could end up being cheaper than whatever you manage to 'import' from overseas.

Exactly. It's a real possibility because if you're just bringing in a single container, you're looking at a minimum of $2,000 just to cover the shipping costs from a Chinese port (FOB).

The math only starts working in your favor if you lease an entire vessel...

Keith Taylor4 said:If you're dealing with tech gear, you need certifications—standard stuff. Weapons? You need special permits, obviously. But living, breathing people? You can just smuggle those right through...

[/B]

Oh, so what, they let you import dead people too?👋

you can

just get the pathologist's report on the cause of death... nobody is going to ask you what you plan to do with the body...

What on earth is going on!

So, seriously, does anyone here actually have experience traveling to China or importing goods from over there?
Where did Markowski disappear to, huh? 😕 Just vanished into thin air...

Dennis Lewis5 said:That’s just how it is!
Well, does anyone here actually have experience being over in China and importing goods from there?
And where on earth has Markowski disappeared to... hmm? 😕

It will certainly serve you well if you possess even a basic grasp of Chinese, rather than relying solely on English. You can manage with English, of course, but everything tends to become significantly more expensive. Having a local Chinese partner would be the ideal scenario for you...

I have been collaborating with Chinese partners for quite some time now; in fact, I am composing this very message from Beijing, and I depart for Shenzhen tomorrow. I cannot speak to the specifics of general import/export logistics, as my field is specifically embedded development—essentially software. Occasionally, I require certain chips, which I source through a firm based in Newark, New Jersey, but for the most part, my work revolves around what we call "intellectual property."

Consequently, I may not be able to offer much direct assistance, but regarding the nuances of doing business with them—learning at least a little of the language goes a very long way. A figure like Gotovina (not Ante, if you catch my drift...) always provides helpful insights... 😁. Furthermore, the issues regarding accommodation in hotels have largely vanished; they don't seem to make nearly as much distinction between older travelers and locals as they used to back in the day, prior to 1997...
.
Therefore, the most vital and perhaps simplest path forward would be to find a Chinese partner; at least, that has been my experience, as well as the experience of those I have worked with who deal extensively with China...
.
If you can successfully earn the trust of a Chinese partner, you will be able to progress much further, otherwise, it is an uphill battle. Of course, these matters are highly subjective. Your own personal experience could differ significantly from mine...

Keith Taylor4 said:You totally

as long as you have the pathologist's report on the cause of death, nobody is going to grill you about what you plan to do with the body.

Man, I wish it were actually that simple!
And cheap, too!

1. I am honestly not sure if an in-person visit is even necessary (how reliable are these people, really?)
2. What does the travel cost look like, and who should I contact to organize it? Is there a standard protocol for this kind of trip? Also, where should I stay, how long do I need to be there, and what else should be on my radar?
3. Are there any specific rules of etiquette or conduct I absolutely must know? I’ve heard some whispers about it—though I might have misheard.

To be perfectly honest, I am a total novice here. I am quite terrified of making a rookie mistake. For instance, what if I pay for the merchandise and then either receive something completely different or nothing at all?

Any bit of information you can provide would be incredibly precious to me. And if anyone else out there has firsthand experience, please, I am begging for your help!

Oh, please forgive me. I was traveling recently and it just dawned on me today that I actually offered you my assistance.
I’ve gone ahead and copied your questions so we can tackle them one by one.
1. No, it isn't strictly necessary. In fact, you could go your entire life without ever meeting them face-to-face.
2. Refer back to point number one. Ha, ha, ha! It sounds to me like you are just itching to fly off to China right this second.

Look, let me lay it out for you... almost everything is handled via email.
My personal workflow always begins with an introductory email. I introduce myself, explain my business model, identify which markets I operate in, outline my potential volume capacities, and share my projections for the upcoming period.
After that, I get specific about which products interest me and request pricing and terms. You really have to keep a few things in mind here. Pricing fluctuates constantly depending on whether you are ordering by the pallet—which means using LTL shipping—or if you are booking a full container (either a 20-foot or a 40-foot unit).
Next, you ask them to clarify their payment terms. I'm not sure if you are familiar with international trade jargon, like T/T or L/C?
Furthermore, you don't necessarily have to pay everything upfront; you can often split the payments into installments.
Typically, you can negotiate a deal where you provide a 30% deposit, with the remaining balance due once the goods are ready to be loaded onto the vessel (FedEx).
As you build a relationship, you can negotiate even more favorable terms. For example, you might pay a 20% deposit and settle the rest 15 days before the ship reaches your local port for unloading. After all, you won't be able to take possession of the goods anyway until you have the original shipping documents, and you usually won't see those until the final payment is cleared.
Let me circle back to the beginning for a moment. Through email, you can also request that a manufacturer makes specific modifications to their standard product. For instance, if they offer a black bag, it doesn't have to stay black—you can pick your own color. Or if you need an extra compartment, that’s usually no problem... this is just an example.
You also coordinate the shipment of samples via email. In most cases, these will be free of charge, meaning they will cover the courier delivery costs and such.
Oops, is that a bit clearer now?