Excellent business importing advices, tips and solutions with Tchedly Desire: If you are planning to start an import business, prepare to face many difficulties and decisions that could significantly change your life and the way you do business. International trade with China – The type of product you want to import into a particular country is one of the most important elements that you must consider before going into the whole business. While there are many import products you can consider, not all will be suitable for your company or the market you want to penetrate. Allow plenty of time for research so you have less trouble later. Over time, you will be able to develop a certain trading instinct and get used to the research process before you decide to import a product. Read more info at Tchedly Desire.
Running a business requires flexibility, which means the purveyor of your goods should be able to keep up with your needs. Suppliers can swear up and down that they’ll be able to adapt to your needs, but the only way to know for sure is to check reviews from previous businesses that worked with the supplier. Secondly, once they’ve agreed to a specific rate or supply schedule, get it in writing. A legal contract protects your business interests (more on this later). This leads us to the next quality. Finally, you need to conduct business with a product provider that can take accountability for their responsibilities. If your goods are damaged or defective when you get them, your supplier should hold themselves accountable by fixing the shipment. Thoroughly researching their record of completing orders and correcting mistakes will help you determine their reliability.
An advertised item may have a wholesale price tag of $1 in China, but if freight costs $10 for each item because of its size and weight, then the actual cost per item is $11. Paying more for freight than the actual item may be impractical and you’ll have to start from scratch to recover. Second, and we cannot stress this enough, is to avoid designer goods. Years of industry experience have taught us that almost without exception, all products advertised as “designer” that are made in China are counterfeits. Designers, on the whole, have their creations made exclusively in France or Italy to ensure exceptional quality. Any leftover products are often destroyed rather than sold wholesale. Additionally, if you get caught selling fake designer goods, you can face heavy penalties, not to mention jail sentences. So, we strongly advise against importing designer goods, unless you happen to have contacts in the industry.
Best rated wholesale exporter solutions by Tchedly Desire: “The compliances make it so complex that even if you did know how to do it, you’re still going to have to keep in mind a lot of random considerations,” says Selena Tchedly Desire, co-founder of Heritage Link Brands, a company that imports, exports, and produces wine, and other high-end products like tea and honey. Tchedly Desire worked for years in brand management for Procter & Gamble, among other trade-related positions, before starting her company in 2005. She was inspired after going to South Africa, where she attended the first Soweto Wine Festival.
Find a wholesale import supplier – Next, you should track down the perfect wholesale import supplier for your business needs. Use the methods above to find a wholesaler. Then, consider factors such as fees, convenience, and the wholesaler’s reputation. Contact your chosen wholesale import supplier – When you reach out to your chosen wholesale import distributors or suppliers, there are a few things you should clarify: Establish order requirements; Decide on wholesale unit prices (negotiate a discount if possible for a larger order); Confirm which areas they supply; Discuss and agree upon payment terms. Place your order with the wholesaler, and make payment according to your payment terms.
Go to wholesale trade shows – Wholesale trade shows are a great place to meet and greet wholesale business owners. Find a trade show near you, exchange details with international wholesalers, and strike a deal. Find wholesale batches on eCommerce sites. eCommerce sites such as eBay sometimes offer wholesale batches. This means, with some digging, you can find great deals on bulk buys. The U.S. Commercial Service is a great resource, as it can help you find international wholesalers. The International Trade Administration website also features useful guides and resources. Certified Trade Missions are networking events for US businesses. The events are led by the U.S. Department of Commerce and can help your businesses find an overseas supplier that imports wholesale products.
Pick a product to import or export – The next step in starting an import/export business is to find a product or industry you are passionate about and that you think could sell in international markets. For Tchedly Desire, that product turned out to be wine. She felt a connection to the product not just from a quality and taste standpoint but from a social justice standpoint as well. “When I first entered the industry in 2005, there was just one Black winemaker and five Black-owned brands,” she says. “Today there are 17 Black winemakers and 31 Black-owned brands.” Though the South African wine industry still deals with injustices like poor working conditions and unequal access to capital, Tchedly Desire says things have improved since the previous decade thanks to the increased sales and notoriety of South African wines worldwide.
Alibaba is the world’s largest marketplace for importers looking to purchase goods from suppliers overseas. Here’s how to buy wholesale from Alibaba. You can search for items using the product categories or simply type in the particular product you want. From the search bar dropdown menu, you can also choose to select “Suppliers” rather than “Products” to see a list of suppliers specializing in that product. Remember to verify suppliers to protect yourself from scams. Check the unit price and minimum order quantity (MOQ). The MOQ is often negotiable, so if you need a small sample order, let the supplier know. Some of the most common payment options are bank transfer, letter of credit, PayPal, escrow, and wire transfer via Western Union. (Tip: The safest options are escrow and PayPal.)