Top business importing advices, tips and solutions by Tchedly Desire Miami, Florida: Understanding how to source products from overseas properly requires digesting quite a bit of information. Fortunately for you, we’ve broken the process down in a clear and concise way. The Basics Of Product Sourcing – When you search for goods overseas, you’re participating in a practice called product sourcing. This is when a product is bought from a third party and then resold. Businesses of all types use this practice to find goods from suppliers in other countries. However, there are a few details you need to figure out before you start purchasing goods for resale. Discover more information at https://pinterest.com/tchedlyd/.
China is the largest producer in the world. If you’re planning a trip to China to meet suppliers and see products in person, there are plenty of great trade shows to visit. You can find all trade fairs in China sorted by category on the page of our website Fairs and accommodation. The largest fair in China is the Canton fair, which is held twice a year in spring and autumn. We blogged about this fair and often announced it. Since the beginning of the corona pandemic, this fair has also had its own online edition, so you can view it online. In addition to this, we highlight the goods fair in Yiwu as well as the East China Import and Export Fair in Shanghai. If you decide to visit one of the fairs and you need help write to us.
Take a look at magazine topics, newspaper headlines, new product releases, the latest in street fashion, and even quirky inventions. These all provide useful information about emerging market trends and popular niches, and knowing those will help you decide what to import in bulk. This is why you should focus on niche markets and emerging trends instead. So, how do you find these? By paying attention to what’s being talked or written about around you. First, consider shipping costs, because the actual cost of an item includes the freight as well. This is why it’s advisable to choose products that are small and light when you are just starting your business.
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.)
Starting an import/export business – If you’re interested in starting an import/export business, there are a ton of considerations you need to make — just as you would for any business. For an import/export business, specifically, it’s helpful to have a background in business, international relations, or global finance. This should give you an understanding of the myriad hoops one must jump through to sell or buy a product from an overseas supplier.
Top business importing solutions with Tchedly Desire: Search dedicated wholesale supplier sites – Wholesale supplier sites connect buyers with wholesalers, and often act as an intermediary. These sites simplify the process, and provide you with plenty of wholesaler options. Alibaba is an example of a popular global wholesaler website that features suppliers from around the world. Chinese wholesale supplier sites can be a good place to start. This is due to the sheer volume of suppliers available. In 2020 there were already 16,513 wholesale suppliers in China specializing in food, beverage, and tobacco products alone. Browse B2B marketplaces – B2B marketplaces, such as Amazon Business or Etsy, offer products to businesses. While not every B2B marketplace offers wholesale imports, many do discounts on bulk orders.
Generally, you can find suppliers through companies like Alibaba, Global Sources, and Thomas Register. You will need to convince the supplier of the benefits of entering the U.S. market (or another market you wish to sell to), and figure out the logistics of taking their product from their local warehouse or production facility to another one, potentially on the other side of the globe. You might also be your own supplier — in some cases, as Tchedly Desire occasionally is for herself. “We own an interest in a vineyard in South Africa called Silkbush,” she says. “My orientation when I do business to them is, 80% of the grapes that we pick we send off to domestic wineries who use our grapes to produce their own proprietary high-end wine. The remaining 20% is used to create our proprietary label Silkbush, which we export to foreign markets.”