Importing from China

Andrew Bailey2 said:Hey everyone,
I was wondering about something lately.

Does importing goods from Hong Kong also trigger customs duties? I’ve been hearing some chatter that bringing stuff in from Hong Kong gets classified a little differently than other places. Is there any truth to that?

Never heard that before, but maybe. I'll check with some buddies at Customs and let you know.
Later

It is absolutely charming, isn't it?

Does anyone here 😁 happen to know the best way to vet a company based in China? I want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate operation rather than some
fly-by-night scam.

restlesstiger102 said:Does anyone here 😁 happen to know the best way to vet a company based in China? I want to make sure I'm dealing with a legitimate operation rather than some
fly-by-night scam.

The main agency helping foreign businesses find partners in China is the CIA (Trade Information Center)

China Information Center - CIA
To search for companies in China—check out fdi.gov.cn
For a list of state-owned enterprises—try gov.cn

Jessica Richardson6 said:Hi everyone,

I’m looking into importing goods from China—or just general importing in general. I want to stock my own shop with small items like alarm clocks, kids' toys, picture frames, sunglasses, phone accessories, and basically all those little trinkets.

From what I gather so far, I need to find a supplier in China, coordinate shipping with them and UPS, and hire a freight forwarder... there seems to be so much moving parts. If anyone could point me toward a helpful guide or a detailed article, I’d appreciate it; I don't mind doing the homework because I want to be fully prepared.
I also have a few questions regarding how sales tax and customs work now that we're part of the US trade system—is it actually more cost-effective to just buy the same inventory from Germany or somewhere else within the US?
Is there some kind of cost calculator or similar tool out there?
If I'm importing this stuff from China or the US, do I need to register my business specifically as a "wholesaler" or something along those lines?
Could I just operate as a sole proprietorship??

Thanks!!

The federal inspectors would eat you alive during your very first audit. Pretty much any product being put on the market has to carry some kind of certification, like a CE or COC mark.
Basically, if you bring in a battery-operated alarm clock, you have to draft a Declaration of Conformity before you can sell it.

A Declaration of Conformity is a formal document issued by the manufacturer stating that their product was designed and manufactured according to the specific requirements set out in the relevant regulations. By providing this declaration, the manufacturer takes full legal responsibility for the product's compliance.

That declaration has to be written in American English or translated into American English if the product is being placed on the US market.

Since the manufacturer is the one who actually drafts the declaration while their authorized representative holds onto it, the importer is legally obligated to ensure that the declaration is available.

In the Declaration of Conformity, you have to explicitly state that all technical requirements dictated by the applicable regulations have been met, and it must include all the specific elements required by those rules.

It would all be absolutely wonderful if the interface wasn't entirely in Chinese or provided with an English translation somewhere along the line.😬

restlesstiger102 said:It would all be absolutely wonderful if the interface wasn't entirely in Chinese or provided with an English translation somewhere along the line.😬

Here’s how it actually works. It isn’t just some random block of text; it’s a full breakdown of the specific federal regulations the devices were tested against.
If a federal inspector doubts whether a statement is legit, the manufacturer has to cough up the records showing exactly who performed the testing. If they can't produce those documents, the fine lands on your desk, not theirs.

I believe you might have quoted the wrong person here.😉

wearytrucker22 said:The federal inspectors would eat you alive during your very first audit. Pretty much any product being put on the market has to carry some kind of certification, like a CE or COC mark.
Basically, if you bring in a battery-operated alarm clock, you have to draft a Declaration of Conformity before you can sell it.

A Declaration of Conformity is a formal document issued by the manufacturer stating that their product was designed and manufactured according to the specific requirements set out in the relevant regulations. By providing this declaration, the manufacturer takes full legal responsibility for the product's compliance.

That declaration has to be written in American English or translated into American English if the product is being placed on the US market.

Since the manufacturer is the one who actually drafts the declaration while their authorized representative holds onto it, the importer is legally obligated to ensure that the declaration is available.

In the Declaration of Conformity, you have to explicitly state that all technical requirements dictated by the applicable regulations have been met, and it must include all the specific elements required by those rules.

Thanks for the info. I'll try to dig a little deeper into this.

Jessica Richardson6 said:Thanks for the info. I'll try to dig a little deeper into this.

Corporations face fines ranging from $2,000.00 up to $333333 if they fail to provide a declaration of conformity and all that other paperwork.

The authorized inspector won't file any charges or issue a citation for violations

The authorized inspector won't file any charges or issue a citation for violations
if the business fixes whatever irregularities were found during the audit—or within ten days at the latest after the
inspection takes place—provided the inspector determines it’s the company's first offense.

It's like when you ask that guy from China to hand over technical documentation he doesn't even possess for some $100 piece of junk you bought from him. Since Chinese manufacturers are so famous for how much they care about their customers—investing heavily in global service networks, warranties, and product quality—I'm sure you'll get it sorted out easily. Certainly easier than me paying a fine $50 on a product where my profit margin is barely $10 just to cover the $13333 penalties. Besides, the inspectors didn't come looking for me; they went to the retail store. I didn't even sell the goods directly; my client's company handled the sale.😁

And don't even get me started on the mountain of certification paperwork required for some run-down motel, not for the construction phase, but just to get an occupancy permit.

So, I just finished importing a massive shipment of containers from China, right? But then out of nowhere today, I get an email from this huge Chinese furniture conglomerate telling me they went bankrupt yesterday. Just like that. Now I’m sitting on a $2,600 deposit for a container that’s stuck in limbo because they can't actually deliver it. Total nightmare. Does anyone else in our group have any legal leads or advice on how I might be able to claw back my deposit? Seriously, if you know anything, hit me up in the DMs.

So, I’ve been thinking about picking up three smartphones from China. They’re priced at $260 each, and the seller is offering free shipping to the US. My assumption is that this isn't the final amount I'll actually pay; I know I'll have to add a 25% sales tax on top of that total. However, one thing is tripping me up... how much extra will I owe in customs duties? I was browsing some government websites yesterday, and if I understood correctly, the duty rate on electronics is 0%? Or am I misinterpreting the rules? I would appreciate an explanation from anyone more knowledgeable than I am. Could you provide a quick breakdown or perhaps a link to where you found that info?
http://www.cbp.gov/help/importing_goods

I’m currently negotiating a deal with some suppliers in China regarding machinery, technical goods, and tools.
I asked my suppliers if they could handle shipping the technical supplies all the way to Chicago and the heavy machinery over to Savannah.
Right now, we're just talking about smaller quantities or sample batches. My question is: can I import larger shipments as an individual using a freight forwarder, or am I forced to incorporate an LLC? Setting up a business wouldn't be the hard part, but I'm worried about the headache and costs of winding everything down if this venture doesn't pan out as expected.

I'm looking at ordering 100 tablets at $40 each. That’s $4,000 upfront. Once I factor in taxes and customs duties—roughly $1,000 for tax and $400 for duties—the total cost to land this shipment in the US hits $5,400. That brings my per-unit cost to $54. Is there anything else I'm missing? Can anyone tell me what other fees might pop up?
If there are additional hidden costs, it might actually be smarter to import them from Germany instead. For instance, if I brought in 100 tablets at €50 each...
LP

coastalwalker13 said:I'm looking at ordering 100 tablets at $40 each. That’s $4,000 upfront. Once I factor in taxes and customs duties—roughly $1,000 for tax and $400 for duties—the total cost to land this shipment in the US hits $5,400. That brings my per-unit cost to $54. Is there anything else I'm missing? Can anyone tell me what other fees might pop up?
If there are additional hidden costs, it might actually be smarter to import them from Germany instead. For instance, if I brought in 100 tablets at €50 each...
LP

Does that $4,000 include shipping?
Sales tax gets applied to the purchase value + customs + shipping...

So, that 0.25 x 4,400 (assuming shipping is included—but check your invoice for that!)—also, you'll definitely need an EIN. And you should probably ask a freight forwarder if there are any special rules since you're dealing with electronics...

Greetings to everyone,

I find myself seeking some clarity regarding certain import procedures from China. I am looking into purchasing ten refrigerated display cases, and I’m curious about what specific requirements might apply here. I am aware there are strict prohibitions and limitations on importing such equipment if they rely on non-eco-friendly refrigerants like R-22, though my intended units utilize gases permitted under the Montreal Protocol.
Furthermore, is it mandatory for such equipment to carry a CE marking? If, hypothetically, they arrive without one... what exactly would my recourse be once they reach US Customs? Is there any way to have them certified or attested after the fact?

Thank you 🙂>

P.S. If any of you happen to be a customs official or a freight forwarder, I would be most grateful if you could send me a private message. I am quite eager to gather comprehensive information from someone intimately familiar with US customs regulations and import conditions... I would even be willing to compensate someone for their expertise, should that be necessary.

I’m looking at importing about 2,000 custom-designed cotton tote bags from China... We’re talking a total value of roughly $3,700, excluding shipping (this would be under my LLC).
I need to find the most reliable yet cost-effective way to get these delivered to San Francisco, including someone to handle the customs clearance. In short, I'm hunting for a solid Freight Forwarder.
Can anyone point me in the right direction or offer some assistance?

Hey,

I run a shop and I'm looking to import some protective phone cases from China. Does the process basically boil down to invoicing my business, paying the sales tax and customs duties, handling corporate tax, and then being done with it?

Also, am I going to need specific certifications, declarations of conformity, or anything else like that to stay legal?

Best,

Even if I were based in Canada, I still think you absolutely need to have your own business set up to import goods for resale

I honestly don't think a simple retail shop can pull that off on its own

Michael Hayes8, what's the big deal about selling? It's just trading, isn't it?😁