Before I went off to China I did a lot of research on Agents and looking to pick the right one. What I found was 2 things that concerned me from reading through blogs and articles the first one being how do I know I’m going to be dealing with a good agent. To me I always like to know personally who I’m dealing with, there is only so much you can get from someone over the phone and through emails. I like to see the whites of peoples eyes have them in front of them and talk things through face to face. Also I like to see what they are capable of and if they do have the facilities in place to deal with what I needed from them. The only way I knew I could satisfy my concern with this problem was to actually go there and meet them which is what I did.

The Second issue which going back to the title of this blog was the kick backs I had read about agents getting Kickbacks from manufactures in order to sell their goods. Thinking about it there was no way I could ever find out if they were. I could limit any difference there may be by speaking to different agents which I did, but what I seemed to find was that there were some discrepancies it the cost of the items between agents but then there was also discrepancies with the cost of the shipping or FOB. There was no real way to weed out this problem so I went for the agent that I felt more comfortable with and had developed the better relationship as there was not much difference between the costs. From working through the final figures I was still saving myself money and I could make it profitable to myself.

The way to look at it is that Kick backs from China does exist in some form or another, it shouldn’t let it put you off from buying from there. You just need to take it as part of the norm there. I guess you could say it’s similar to if you go to the states and have to tip everyone there for us in the UK we are not a tipping nation so not used to it… I never did understand going to my friends wedding in America and everyone tipping the bar tender $1 to open a bottle of beer when it was a free Bar!! (^_^)

The best way to some one may be the cheapest the best way to some one may be the safest. There is no definitive answer as every ones tastes are different. So this is my best way to learn for the beginner looking to import from China.

The Best way to import from China for me is to go there! Its not quickest or the cheapest option and a lot more hard work but your more likely to make less mistakes. Having a hands on approach and seeing things for yourself you will understand better how it all works.

The best thing to do is if your just staring out is to go to a major manufacturing city such as Shanghai or Yiwu and see for yourself what you can get and do.

There are many agents in the cities so plan your time out with them, meeting with an agent will help you accomplish more form your time there.

Just from looking online in either city you find a number of agents that will be willing to source you products and help you out. Try to plan each of your days with one agent and if possible get to see their offices and how they operate.

Normally you can arrange to meet them in the morning they will meet with you to discuss your requirements and then arrange for a translator to accompany you to the markets.

Don’t be scared to tell the agents that you are also touring the Markets with other agents on different days as you are looking for the best agent out there, in the end it’s in their best interest to then give you the best service they can. Also get to see there operations and place of work. If it an established company you know that a lot of other people deal with them so they should be able to offer you a good quality of service the majority of the agents normally all charge the same fee which is usually 3% of the value of the goods. So its your best interest to go see the different agents and choose the one that you feel are more capable of meeting your needs.

If your not happy with an agent, don’t spend the whole day looking at items and booking them with them, don’t also look at this as a wasted of time. If this does happen. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the market and look at other items that you could be interested in and just take their business cards if you want to return there so you can go see it with another agent.

If you don’t choose to purchase anything with them most agents will charge a fee for the Translator which could be £20 – £30 for the whole day.

Keep the last 2 days free in your schedule so that once you have gone around the markets and met different agents and settled on the one that you think will give you the best service, you can go around with that agent and book items with them. You can book different items with different agents but they will all be shipped separately which will not work out cost effective it will be better to stick to one agent and have all goods shipped with them.

Once they have taken your order they should send over a Invoice for the cost of the goods. Don’t pay anything over till you get back to the UK and have number crunched some more (see associated costs).

Back in the UK take a look at the items you are looking to purchase. If you are close to purchasing a whole container load it may be more viable to order more goods so that the container is filled but important note make sure 100% that the agents has the correct dimensions for the products your looking to buy, leave room for packing and the boxes fitting in correctly.

Also most importantly if you haven’t already researched the items that you are looking to purchase prior to going to China in terms of VAT, Duty, safety requirements, licences and other documentation required for it to pass through customs make sure you do and can pay or have all the relevant documentation in place before you pay anything across the last thing you want is for your goods to be stuck in customs. (see documents required)

If you have done all your checks number crunched and have all the items you need to clear the goods through customs then it should be safe to place your order.