Shipping goods from china

[mckeever]

Hello, what are the main pitfalls of shipping goods in from china ? I have a source from which i can get goods very cheap, but am nieve about import tax, customs etc.
Any advice would be grateful as i am new to this.

Regards

Danny

[Ethel]

Many items from China are fake. Scandisk memory cards from China are mostly fake, for example.

You will be subject to duty if the value is �18 or above. This can put up to 40% on top of what you have paid, although you would be unlucky if it were that high.

If there is a problem with the goods, the cost to return them can be prohibitive, and painfully slow.

Unless you know the market, and your source is recommended to you, I would be very wary.

Take the time to read all the info you can - this is a good starting point:

http://tinyurl.com/j8kzh

[mckeever]

This is not an ebay item it is a genuine source i have been put in contact with from a british contact, I understand concrens, but what i am is asking is: What are the pitfalls from an import situation. What can i encounter form this end which could affect my profits.

[Ethel]

I thought I had answered your question:

Customs duties and VAT - expect around 40%.

High carriage costs - inwards and returns.

Stock flow - having just enough so you don't run out waiting for new stock to arrive, nor too much so that you have lots of money tied up.

[Hawkwalk]

depends on the scale of what you are wanting to do and what you are wanting to import. Quality, safety and legality of what you will be importing is the main issue with products from China. For example, if the goods are electrical then are they fit for sale in the UK, passed all safety tests, have correct labelling and instructions etc.
Quality can be varialble. Are the products you are wanting of a merchantable quality? how do you know, what assurances do you have that you will get what you want. Much depends on how you would intend on doing the deal, will you pay up front, are you responsible for importing. Many factors will affect your responsibilities.

[mckeever]

Pretty much to start with i will be buying 1500 pounds worth of salon products. The deal is i pay 30 % up front then the rest on delivery. There is no issue with standards because for a better word it is solid products like salon chairs and beds. The company have given me a charge of �195 for delivery which will arrive at the docks, It is that stage really i am unsure what legalities are involved. Do they deal with all paperwork ? Or do i need to contact a shipping agent and let htem deal with things?

[Hawkwalk]

Just stick Importing Goods into google. There are loads of sites that give you all the info you need.

[yolana]

The best way to avoid extra inconvecience is to engage a China Freight forwarder indeed!
Once you tell them your specific needs, they can arrange everything on behalf of your shipping planning!
Try China Freight on http://www.mychinafreight.com, where you can gain more detailed information!

[Sirodroer]

Three solution you can consider:
1. You can do all by yourself, no matter suppliers audit, or import tax, customs. But you may waste most time and still source the cheap and good products.

2. Before sourcing in China you can deal with a company which can provide importing service from China. Generally they can help your problems in importing from China. Here I introduce http://www.inspectinchina.com

3. If you only need import tax, customs problems solutions. You can find or contact a cargo forwarder service provider company in China. Goway Logistics I will recommend for this service from http://www.gowaylogistics.com