Importing components from China

[dangercat]

Hi,

I'm new to TU and can't tell you how much I appreciate the incredible information contain within these pages. Thank you!

I'm getting ready to place an order for 1000 crystal rondels (i.e. wedding ring) beads from a manufacturer in China. I've never imported products from China before, and subsequently, I'm a bit nervous about the purchase. I did my best due diligence, and the company appears to check out; since the amount of $ I'll be spending isn't that great, I'm going to pull the trigger and do it.

Do any of you have good or bad experiences directly importing components form overseas. Also, to save someone the question, I do have my I.R.S. form 637, so I'm set up to pay the excise tax down the road.

Many thanks,

Scott Phillips

[30ishbmx]

I owned a bike parts company for afew years and dealt with 8 different manufacturers. I had parts cnc'ed per my specifications-one off prototypes as well as small production runs. From my experience businesses over there are alot like businesses over here, some are good and somne are bad...and the only way to know is from past experience with them...sooo let me know who you order from and how it goes. just want to add that what your doing (buying smallish order) is a good way of finding out what kind of company your dealing with, asian companies handle small orders the same way they handle big orders....

Edited October 24, 2008 by 30ishbmx

[jcarman]

DC-

I am importing unpainted lure bodies from China and have found that if you do your research and press them, you will quickly find out who is doing good business and who isn't. My only advice is to specify every detail and have them verify that they understand what you mean. They will use their language barrier to defend themselves. Aside from that, the good ones are happy to work with you and anxious to develop relationships. Good luck-

JC

[dangercat]

Thanks for the advice about being very specific in ordering product...when I placed my order, I included model number, size, quantity, description, payment currency, and I even cropped a photo from their catalog and told them this is the item I wanted.

Also, the comment about handling small orders the same as large is well worth knowing.

With shipping, the order of 1000 6mm crystal rondels came to $76 USD. Time will tell if I'm out a little money or got a great deal. I'll keep you posted!

Cheers,

Scott Phillips

[MakingLures]

One other thing you may want to check into is import duties. It has been awhile since I checked into importing a large amount of items from china, but if I remember correctly you needed an import agent to do the paperwork when the container arrives. There are also tarrifs or duties on all kinds of fishing items. Each item has its own tarriff code number and tarrif taxes.

[Ogajiga]

Some of my China experiences:

1. Excellent crane swivels from Korea mfg. quality dropped when mfg. moved production to China.

2. Special ordered item from a Chinese eBay seller in the USA representing a China mfg. never arrived & seller vanished.

[jcarman]

I am in the graduate program at the school of hard knocks when it comes to the china import stuff!

I have learned to-

Ask for samples before you order. They will tell you that the freight is huge, this and that, but hold your ground and let them know you will not buy without samples first and the freight is minimal through what they call EMS.

Pay half of the charges until you get the order, then inspect the order thoroughly when it arrives, including seeing how the baits swim! Then pay the balance.

If you go through the 3rd party Alibaba.com, you can first see a companies profile and track record before you deal with them.

They will quote you a very high minimum order quantity, but you can very easily negotiate that down, so don't let that intimidate you.

There is some good stuff at good prices to be had overseas, but there is also some junk to weed through.

Good luck-

Jeff