China Trade & Importing - Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of products do you work with?

We work with most products made from metal, plastic, wood, stone, ceramic and glass, in addition to clothing and apparel. See products we source for a listing.

Is China the only country you source from?

China, with it's vast industrial base and low labor costs is the primary country we source from. However, we can also source from India, Pakistan and other Asian countries.

Do you have a catalog of the products you source available?

We do not maintain a catalog in printed form of the products we have worked with, or provide a list of the many thousands of manufacturers in China. In addition, we have sourced products for some of our customers that are proprietary and/or patented and they do not want their sources made public knowledge.

Do you work with companies outside the U.S.?

Yes, we have worked with companies in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

How long have you been in business?  

Since 1991. See About Us for more on our company.

How long does it take to get a quote?

On average, about 1-2 weeks after our people in China receive all information on your product.

Do you have a minimum order amount?

The minimum order value we may accept is $10,000.00. This  varies from factory to factory according to setup costs and  production run requirements.

Can you provide our products with custom packaging?

Yes, we do this often. We've sourced product packed in individual blister packs (plastic clamshell with full color cardboard insert), cartons with full color artwork and in custom boxes, and in custom display boxes. We can provide plastic, metal or hardwood cases made from woods like walnut, rosewood or maple to provide value added sales appeal. We can also provide custom displays or sales racks made from cardboard, wood or metal.

Once I place my order how long will it take before I receive the shipment?

On average, for the first production run of a new product, the manufacturer will needs 30 - 45 days to make any molds or fixtures and provide a sample for approval. After sample approval, it can take another 30-45 days to make the production run, depending on the complexity of the product and order quantity. Sea and inland freight transit time can range from 4-6 weeks. For example, it takes about 2-1/2 weeks for a ship to go from a seaport in China to the port of Los Angeles. Customs clearance and unloading can take another 3-4 days, and then the shipment will be trucked to your door. If you were in Denver it would take approximately 30 days to go from China to your door.

For repeat orders or for items the factory is already making, it will take less time as the tooling is already made. The factory can start making your parts as soon as their production schedule allows.

How does the shipping process work?

All shipments go direct from China to a port of entry in a major city closest to you. You will then have a customs broker of your choosing clear the shipment and get it shipped to your door. We quote your order with the freight paid to the nearest port to you. For example if your office is based in Denver we would provide you with a quote that will include the part price and all sea and inland freight paid to the port of Denver. You would then arrange having the shipment delivered from the port in Denver to your door.

Can we copy an existing product, and what about patent issues?

Yes, we can send an existing product that is not patented to China to be duplicated, but the responsibility of insuring there are no patent or trademark infringement issues lies 100% with you - we do not perform patent or trademark searches. We will not knowingly quote or source any product that would infringe on a current patent or trademark.

What protection do we have against someone copying our product?

Our customers often request that we sign a license/exclusive contract or non-disclosure agreement (these are provided by the customer or the customer's attorney) whereby we agree not to sell or disclose the customer's product line to others. We have no problem doing this. Upon request, we also add exclusive clauses or license agreements in with our negotiations with the factory in China.
In the U.S., Canada, and all other developed countries, realize that patents and trademarks are your only true legal protection. Without a patent or trademark any company - American or foreign - can legally copy and sell your product.
This issue is addressed in more detail in the July 2010 edition of our newsletter.

Do you sign non-disclosure agreements with your customers?

Yes, upon request we sign non-disclosure agreements. We do not provide them - these are provided by the customer or the customer's attorney.

Is the importing process difficult?

No, it's easy once you know the ropes. See Importing from China for more information.

What are the total costs involved in importing?

In addition to the cost of the product, you will have the following:

1. Customs duty. This is your country's tax on imported product. In the U.S. customer duties range between 1% and 30+%, depending on the product class. The average is probably around 5%. Your customs broker can tell you the duty rate for your product.

2. Customs broker fees. On average, around $150.00 per shipment.

3. Inland freight from the port of entry to your door.

4. Document Destination charges (also known as DDC). This is the port of entry's handling charge and it varies from port to port. In general DDC fees run about $30.00 per ton.

5. Labor/forklift fee to unload your shipment from the container. On average, about $40.00 per shipment.

6. Bond fee. This is required by US Customs to back up payment for the duty tax. Bond fees are set by the dollar value of the shipment. The minimum bond fee is usually around $50.00 and from there the cost increases by some $4.00 per thousand dollars of invoice value.

7. Our commission (10%), which is invoiced separately.

Do I need a customs broker, and where can I find one?

Yes, you will need a customs broker to clear your shipment with U.S. customs. Your customs broker will get your shipment transported from the sea port to your door by the inland freight carrier of your choice.

Customs brokers are easily found in the yellow pages and on the internet. The US Customs website has a list of customs brokers available in every state. They also have the addresses of the entry ports in the U.S., general information on importing, and much more.

I'm an inventor and/or I have an idea for a new product.
How do I get started?

We receive many inquiries from persons or inventors who have an idea for a product. Our Product Development page shows the process from start to finish; we can help you from concept to production.

Do we contact Global Trade Specialists every time we place an order?

Yes, all orders are placed through us.

Anything else I should know?

Yes, we publish a monthly newsletter that is sent out by email.
The Global Trade newsletter will keep you up to date on any current events that might affect your overseas purchases.