Importing From China through AliBaba

[pisquee]

OK,
We've been looking at some ideas, and was wondering if someone here could talk me through what is involved in importing goods from China (or similar) using something like Alibaba.
I know some of you guys have online stores reselling blanks and equipment for sublimation, and must be importing from overseas.
I have read about he different incoterms, and what they mean. I undertsand there's a MOQ and it will take a while for things to arrive on a ship.

My main queries I suppose is how do you organise the courier/freight forwarding and customs side of things really.

Either I buy ex-works and I have to organise the goods, I guess on a pallet/pallets to be collected from the factory/warehouse
Or Free on board, and I have to then arrange for the port agent/crew to put it on the ship, and then someone to collect it when it arrives in UK?

I have tried to find an online guide to walk me through the process but can't find one.
Are there companies you use and would recommend?

Definitely think we are looking at pallet sizes rather than me filling my own container.

Are there companies like Shiply who fill up spare space on containers inter-continentally?

Sorry, lots of rambling questions.

I would hope this thread would also be of interest to other considering similar venures...

Any help and advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Paul]

I habe not clue but will be interested as well.

[Ian M]

This link maybe of some help. http://www.ukimports.org/

[Mark Clayton]

Hi - generally you would employ a forwarding agent to help you with the import / clearance through customs. They will help with either ex-works in land freight from supplier, getting it across the water and then in land freight in the UK including terminal handling (de-stuffing LCL (less than full) container shipments). Bear in mind when goods arrive in the UK they are subject to import duty and VAT. Import duty from China is typically 6% but could be higher depending on the item HMRC have an online tarric guide where customs tarrif's can be calculated. Also remember that duty is calculated on the cost of the goods + freight not just the cost of the goods. Hope this helps.

[mrs maggot]

HMRC have a good phone line and will "walk you through"

I would have to ask myself, why I would want to take on all the hassle, if its for goods not available though a supplier, i would contact them and ask them to price me for a pallet quantity of the item i was looking for, i would expect to pay them a % for importing it for me on top of the costs etc, but it might also be beneficial to them for a new product line to know that if they ordered say 1,000 pieces they already had a large number presold, obviously their margin would not be as great on the qty i was taking off them as i would hope for a good deal.

There is a reason distributors and importers exist, and i am happy to keep it that way - they know the companies, they know the quality, they have clout when things go wrong, which they do, suppose you order a pallet load and the quality is not right, as you expected it to be, you cant send it back, you have to sort out with them, and have a 2nd load delivered, the far east does not as a rule offer a returns service, thats why from time to time suppliers will have some 2nds which they will sell off at a good price. meanwhile you have already waited 6 weeks (minimum) for the shipment.

[Mark Clayton]

Fully agree - I import over 800 containers of raw materials per year from Asia for my main job (in plastics).... it's a real headache and if you are dealing with unknown suppliers it poses a serious risk.

[spottraining]

Hi all

I imported several times from China - BestSublimation. They organise all transport and so when shipment was at last in Estonia (also part of EU) - then the local transport company take contact with me and I let them handle all taxes and importing paper works - of course it pays me - but still the goods are much cheaper as from EU.

So - when Your partner uses some good logistic company - then You don't have any problems. When the goods are in Your country - then this logistic company (or their local partner) contacts You and You can easly let them do the all paperwork's. Like DHL, TNT etc doing it.

[totallypersonal]

I have been looking into importing from China, and have found a number of suppliers that I am in contact with. I will not be importing huge quantities, so will just be using DHL as shipping method. If you find a supplier, make sure to engage in detailed contact with them, as there are many fake companies, and scams going on. If possible, also get them to send you a sample order, to test out the quality of the goods. This is likely to cost more than getting the blanks from the UK, but it is worthwhile so you know what quality of goods you will receive for your main order.

[pisquee]

Though if it were a scam, they could send nice good quality blanks (or other requested product) as the sample, and then something completely different for the actual big order.

[bms]

Though if it were a scam, they could send nice good quality blanks (or other requested product) as the sample, and then something completely different for the actual big order.

I've heard of that several times and not just from China