Elksourcing

Importing from China can be an affordable way to purchase products for sale. However, importing items on your own requires establishing relationships, setting up shipping, and navigating the regulatory of customs. Get started on your way to importing from China by taking steps to set up your import process and planning ahead. Part 1 Finding a Supplier 1). Make sure you can legally import your chosen item. Most items will be allowed, but there are certain guidelines that must be followed for some types of items. The United States imposes stricter guidelines on agricultural products, for example. Additionally, Chinese laws may prohibit the export of certain items, like animal by-products or fake designer clothes and accessories. Check with the laws and regulations of both countries before making an order. 2). Make a list of Chinese exporters, or suppliers, who can provide you with your product. The easiest way is to search on B2B…

Imagine if your factory made a serious error in the retail packaging and misspelled the name of your product. Not a good first impression, right? Worse still, imagine if your product was damaged during transit and didn’t even make it to the retail shelf because your supplier’s factory didn’t ship it with the proper protective packaging. Damaged or defective products can be a major drain on your company’s profits when they’re unsellable. Packaging inspection before shipping is vital to catching defects related to packaging and ensuring your products reach their destination on time and in the best condition. So, what issues should you or your inspector look for during packaging inspection? Let’s take a look at the three most common defects found during inspection, their consequences and what you can do to fix them. 1. Incorrect or missing shipping markings and barcodes You probably have specific requirements for labeling your packaging…

Packaging is considered to be both the presentation of products to consumers, and the configuration in which products will be expedited through various channels. The master carton design includes the configuration in which product will be shipped through channels for end-user consumption, making it especially important where packaging integrity is concerned. Why Packaging Integrity is Important? 1) Carefully planned packaging includes both cost savings obtained through the minimal use of materials, weight and labor, as well as reductions in potential rework costs. 2) Packaging has a direct impact on the perception of quality by the consumer.  3) Orientation is an important consideration because the carton itself only has stacking strength in one direction, which is why it is imperative that the pack be designed the way it will be stacked in transit. Labeling is important in communicating packaging requirements. 4) Packaging experiences a number of potentially damaging forces, which might include shock…

In our many years of experience of dealing with China sourcing, we’ve seen a range of outcomes where communication is concerned. The impact is quite often more substantial than you may think, I would say that good communication is the primary reason for a partnership’s success. In this article, I’d like to share 3 tips about better communication with Chinese suppliers. 1. Recognize that communication is about understanding. In order for us to understand a perspective outside of our own, we need to actively listen. We are all guilty of wanting to believe we’re right, but the mindful moment is when we realize that others think they are right as well. Recognizing that communication is about understanding means that we allow all parties to express their position without judgement, interruption or disrespect. Communication ceases to exist without this. Ask yourself, what is their purpose as compared to yours at this particular…

Over many years’ experience in China sourcing business, we’ve heard of stories about organizations seeking to resolve a recall situation. While many of these calls are reactive, a proactive approach is recommended to avoid the cost and overall impact to stakeholders. How can you avoid product recalls? 1. Know Product Safety Requirements –  Avoiding recalls generally starts with product design and specification development. Due diligence is required to determine if any applicable testing is required depending on the market in which it will be sold. Contacting a testing lab for a general inquiry is worth the time and effort. Researching ANSI, ASTM, FDA, CE standards is also advised. A third party’s expertise can also be leveraged here and specifications development/testing can be outsourced. 2. Know Your Suppliers – Supplier selection is a critical component in the quality process. Verifying suppliers and performing an on-site evaluation adds an additional level of assurance. Considerations include:…

Many buyers are still guarded about buying from China – which is understandable, since many of the country’s business practices lag behind those in more developed nations. However, your risks can be minimized by working only with qualified, above board suppliers and by understanding all aspects of your import arrangement beforehand. If you can, visiting China is a good starting point for doing business there. If you can’t visit first, there are many online sources to help you find quality products and suppliers and minimize the risk of doing business there. Understanding the market Before deciding what to import, get as much information as possible about the demand for that product in your local market. Then learn as much as you can about the manufacturers of that product in China. Be vigilant and ask every detail you need to know. Finding a trustworthy supplier This is perhaps the most important step…

During your importing business, if you work with several Chinese suppliers, you will have to deal with production problems, especially for new suppliers. It might be a factory refusing to rework substandard goods, or an unacceptable delay, or simply a project that comes to a full stop without warning. What to do for you as an importer in such a situation? 1. Show that you are ready to walk away The favorite strategy of Chinese factories that don’t want to correct problems is… to wait. And wait. Until their customer (who needs to deliver his own customers) must let them ship. So, the first thing to do is to give them the feeling that you’d rather cancel the order (and lose your deposit, if you wired some cash before shipment) rather than receiving products that can’t be sold at all on your market. The second step is to try to understand…

How can importers establish a quality standard, and then enforce it for China sourcing? It’s always not easy. Below are 4 proven ways I learn from my experience about how to handle your suppliers in China. 1. Insist on getting a “perfect” sample Whenever possible, you should have a perfect sample (i.e. a prototype that is conform in all points to what you want to receive) in your hands before production is launched. The best practice is to get at least two samples, and send one back to the factory with your signature/stamp on it. This is the most basic way to establish your quality standard. The difficulty will be in the enforcement. In China, factories know that sending nice samples is important for them to get orders. These perfect samples (prepared by experimented technicians who take their time) are usually better that what can be made in mass production. Suppliers simply…