The Complete Guide of Shipping Products When Importing from China

China is quickly becoming a manufacturing superpower, producing a sizable portion of the world's consumer goods. Importing from China has proven to be a successful global sourcing strategy for many businesses. As a buyer and reseller, this is a fantastic opportunity.

Newcomers will find that this is a challenging undertaking. Importing has the potential to be a time-consuming, perplexing, and pricey operation. Long delivery durations, increasing or fluctuating delivery costs, regulatory fees, and delays can wipe out profits.

Let's look at importing from China and the steps you should take to ensure a streamlined experience.

1. Determine which commodities you want to import.

You will only save time and money if you choose a good product. Finding the correct goods to import and resell is the first step in becoming a successful importer.

The ability to sell the product is your first priority. It's usually a good idea to choose things you would buy or are familiar with. The goods you offer are crucial to your business. They'll have an impact on advertising, profits, and style.

Be sure you have done the necessary research and are aware of the market or the products you intend to import. In addition, you need to have a general idea of how much your product should cost to make a satisfactory profit from sales.

It is best to acquire as much information as possible regarding the items you plan to import. Get your hands on some descriptive writing, some information on the product's composition, and some product samples whenever you can. When it comes time to determine the tariff classification, having this information at your disposal will be essential. The tariff explanation number, also known as the HS Code, will be consulted to ascertain the level of the duty and taxes imposed on your wares. This is extremely important to identify so you can assess the potential of your product.

2. Determine your legal ability to import

You are considered an importer when you purchase items from outside your country. If the box is small, or if the product value is low, a courier service like DHL, UPS, or FedEx can handle it and ship it right to your door. If that's the case, you'll be able to avoid wasting time and money.

To import products into your country, you must ensure that you have import rights. We can take Europe and USA as examples.

• As a business in EURO, you must first become a registered economic operator (EORI number).

• As long as you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, all you need is your Social Security number (SSN) or your company's Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number (EIN).

If you are located in a different country, you can ask the import department bureau to guide you on the steps to follow to import products from China.

3. Check to see if your country will allow you to bring the items you want to import into the country

Some items are prohibited from being brought into the country. Products from specific categories may be banned in some nations but not others. Also, check to see if the items you wish to import require any permissions, are subject to any restrictions, or are governed by any rules imposed by your government. The importer must ensure that the items conform to specific rules and regulations before importing them into the country.

Some of the products that you, as an importer, must avoid are:

• Fireworks

• Tobacco-Related Products

• Trademarks and Trade Names

• Animal Fur

Importing dangerous items that do not satisfy the criteria of the health code or violate prohibitions could end up costing you a significant amount of money in the form of fines and other penalties. These items would be detained at a minimum, and there is a possibility that they would be destroyed.

4. Determine the landed cost of your products and classify them accordingly

Find the 10-digit tariff classification number corresponding to each item you import and write it down. The 10-digit tariff and the Certificate of Origin are considered when determining the amount of duty that must be paid for importation. After that, perform the computation for the total landed cost.

Before placing your order, please pay attention to the Incoterms and compute the entire item cost once it has landed. For instance, the acronym FOB refers to "free on board," which is if a shipment is marked as being delivered FOB (at the location of the seller), then the seller will consider the transaction to be final as soon as the goods have been dispatched from the seller's warehouse.

Sometimes, you may only be able to know an item's price once it's delivered. In these situations, you need an accurate cost estimate. Get estimates from companies you work with and look at the costs of previous shipments to estimate your costs.

Unexpected shipping fees can cause total landed cost fluctuations, which is normal. It would be best if you estimated as many costs as possible. Once the final costs are known, compare them to your estimates.

5. Locate a suitable supplier in China and proceed with the order.

You need to place your order with the provider, shipper, or exporter, and you also need to determine the shipping terms that will be used.

Once you've chosen a supplier, request a Proforma Invoice or Quote Sheet with the harmonized system number, item description, and price. Your P/I must show weight, packed dimensions, and buying terms.

6. Plan your cargo transportation.

There are many factors to consider when arranging your cargo transport. Here are six essential tips to help you get started:

1. Know your cargo. What are you shipping? How large and heavy is it? These are crucial considerations when choosing a transportation method.

2. Choose the correct transportation method. There are many options available, from trucks to trains to ships. Select the option that best suits your needs.

3. Plan your route. Map out your route in advance and take into account any potential obstacles.

4. Make sure your paperwork is in order. You'll need the proper documentation for your cargo and your chosen transportation method.

5. Pack your cargo correctly. Make sure it is secure and protected from the elements.

6. Arrange for insurance. This will protect your cargo in case of damage or loss during transport.

Following these tips will help ensure smooth and successful cargo transport.

7. Monitor your cargo and prepare for its arrival.

As your cargo makes its way to its destination, tracking its progress and preparing for its arrival is essential. By following your shipment, you can stay up-to-date on its location and estimated arrival time. This way, you can ensure that everything is on schedule and that you're prepared for your cargo's arrival.

To track your cargo, you can use a tracking service or the tracking information provided by your shipping company. Once you have your tracking information, you can track your cargo's progress online or by phone.

When your cargo arrives, make sure to inspect it for any damage. If there is any damage, you should file a claim with your shipping company as soon as possible. By getting prepared for your cargo's arrival, you can help ensure a smooth and hassle-free delivery.

8. Expect your shipment.

Make preparations for your customs broker to clear the products through customs as soon as they arrive by giving them the necessary documentation. If all goes according to plan, you have the legal right to collect your shipment.

If you go with our to-door service, all you have to do is sit back and relax while we bring your shipment to the location you specified.

Once you've received your goods and checked their quality, packaging, instructions, and labels, email your supplier to let them know. Tell them you'll call after reviewing the items and placing another order.