When you’re sourcing internationally there are many chances for opportunity, and some for error. Here are 4 tips to help save you money when importing from China.
Get All Your Costs Early
If you’re importing from China, you’ll need to get in touch with a customs broker as well as a sourcing agent. It’s best to talk to your customs broker as early as possible so you’ll understand not only the process of importing, but what duties and fees you can expect to see beforehand. This way you will get a close estimate of the total cost, and avoid any unwelcome surprises popping up.
Finalize your Designs
Make sure the designs you are looking to get manufactured are fully tested and finalized. Placing an order off a design that may not be fully tested leaves you open to the possibility of having a shipment of parts that are made to spec, but don’t work the way you want them too. This would mean that, because the factory made the parts right, but the design wasn’t fully tested, you’d be without recourse, or justifiability for a reimbursement.
The Cheapest Price can mean the Cheapest Quality
Sourcing from China is a great way to save on your costs, but merely looking for who is offering the lowest price can end up hurting you in the long run. It’s important to source from companies that can deliver your product on time with the quality you need. We focus on negotiating competitive prices from factories that will do both for you.
It isn’t unheard of for a Chinese manufacturer to quote a lowball price to get an order and then things go south. Such factories may not deliver the product on time, or at all, and when they do it may be of substandard quality.
If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is, so keep that in mind when you’re searching.
Replacement Policy
Always make sure the company you’re looking at sourcing from has a replacement policy in case mistakes are made and you receive a shipment of bad parts. Review the policy carefully and thoroughly to make sure you understand what your options are in case something wrong happens. Any company you plan to buy from that won’t refund or replace faulty products is a huge risk to source from.
Following these tips can help minimize the risk of your product sourcing.
Looking for more ways to save when importing from China? Contact us here.