Importing From China? Avoid These Mistakes
Importing from China and other Asian countries can seem like an easy way to get products made cheaply and quickly, but many who have gone down this route will tell you there are some mistakes to avoid whether it’s with your supplier or during the shipping process. Many of these potential pitfalls are avoidable. In this article, our sourcing agent for China explains the most common mistakes to avoid to help you make informed decisions.
Poor Communication
Communication is key in any business, but especially important when importing. You need to be able to speak with the supplier and make sure you can understand each other. Make sure you have a list of questions ready before you contact the supplier, this will help keep things on track. And if you can’t get a response? That doesn’t mean they’re ignoring you- it may just take time for them to get back because of the time difference.
Not Planning In Advance
Many people are under the false impression that they can just place an order and it will be shipped quickly, only to be told months later that their order is still being processed. If you’re planning on importing goods into Australia, make sure you have a contact or sourcing agent in China who knows what’s going on with the processing time and can provide accurate estimates. The more information you have about your shipment, the better!
Rushing the Process
Lack of planning and research is one of the biggest mistakes that companies make when importing goods. That’s because there are a lot of factors involved, including the type of product you’re looking for, your budget, and the timeline you need it in. If you rush into importing without doing proper research first, you’ll have a hard time finding suppliers and products to fit your needs.
Overlooking Quality over Price
It is tempting to focus on the price of a product and not the quality, but it can end up costing you more in the long run. Especially when importing from China, there is always a risk that the goods will not be delivered or that they will arrive broken or faulty.
Not Hiring a Sourcing Agent
The first mistake is not hiring a sourcing agent. If you’re new to importing and don’t have much experience doing it, then there’s no shame in hiring someone else to handle the process for you. The risk of making mistakes will be reduced, and you’ll be able to focus on other aspects of your business.
The author is a reputed sourcing agent for China committed to offering fully customised sourcing solutions to reduce costs and minimise hassle. Visit https://www.epicsourcing.com.au for more details.