If you have an established source of sales that you arealready selling into the market, and have a large volume, you might be thinkingof trying to outsource your product.


China offers a vast array of products and to track something down that issuitable, you are going to need someone who knows the country well. He or shecan advise you very quickly if you are likely to find a company where you couldplace your order and thereby increase your margins.


Here are some of the things that you will need to establish before working withan import agent:


1. Full product details with drawings / graphics


2. Packing & presentation details


3. Branding requirements


4. Certifications & Safety standards required


5. Date product is required


6. Quantities (min order quantities apply in most cases)


Considering the requirements, qualified suppliers will be selected by youragent and details sent to those who look the best prospect. From the resultingreplies three are invited to quote.


A good agent will discuss quotes with the manufacturers, confirm theirexperience in UK / European markets and check their productioncapabilities.Your personal visit to China could be carried out to inspect thefactory personnel, the manufacturing process and quality control systems. This process is often backed up by a team in Shanghai who should cover the whole operation.


1. Prepare a detailed report on all visits.


2. Quotations include manufacturing costs, branding, artwork and presentation of your product, method and cost of shipment, all duty and port dues plus haulagefrom port to your warehouse


3. Orders are normally quoted c.i.f. destination port.


Estimated time of delivery is also given at this time and confirmed as moreinformation becomes available about your consignment.


Choosing the right manufacturer, ensuring quality and providing an on-timedelivery are all crucial business processes. Controlling production quality isachieved through scheduled inspections of all factory processes with finalquality inspection and packing checks completed under the direction of youragent, before products leave the factory. Personal visits to factories arerecommended in order for you to become more familiar with the overall process. Appropriate packaging will have been agreed between all parties to ensure protection of goods with the details now being submitted to the shipping agents.


Shipping options will have been confirmed with you with all appropriate documents being completed. Customs clearance is completed and Duty plus port dues areoften paid by your agent


* Work with a wide network of suppliers from numerous market sectors in China, and provide products that meet your requirements and monitor progress to ensureon-time delivery.



 

Sourcing your product in China


When you contact a few agents you will find sourcing requests are responded to fairly quickly.
Normally an agent will have an extensive network of manufacturers, and can either source an existing product or customize to your specification, including bespoke items. They will often have a Chinese speaking team, both in the UK and in China to check requirements with potential suppliers and provide the information required to obtain costs.


You should expect a detailed written quote submitted for your approval with all costs, delivered to your warehouse. Where significant design work is involved, you can negotiate a separate fee.


About the author:


Arthur Stoller operates his import agency from China to the UK and further details of his operation of importing from china can be viewed here.



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